The Big Ten tournament is always a war. While coaches in other conferences may grumble about conference tournaments weakening teams for the upcoming NCAA tournament, the Big Ten's annual brawl produces some of the best basketball of the year and prepares teams for March Madness.
Last year, Wisconsin defeated Michigan State in overtime of the tourney's title game; both teams ended up in the Final Four, with Wisconsin reaching the national championship game before losing to Duke.
While Michigan State will likely be a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tourney, they are not the Big Ten regular-season champion.