The Big Ten men’s basketball tournament gets underway Wednesday from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Illinois earned the No. 1 seed by virtue of co-winning the league's regular-season race with Wisconsin on the strength of a 15-5 record. It is the first time since 2005 that the Fighting Illini won the regular-season crown.
Wisconsin lost out on the top seed after the Badgers were shockingly upset, 74-73, by Nebraska as 13-point home favorites. Purdue, led by Jaden Ivey, slid into the No. 3 seed, while Rutgers locked up the No. 4 seed.
The oddsmakers at SI Sportsbook are expecting a close battle for Big Ten supremacy.