Big Ten basketball tournament predictions: How far will Michigan State and Michigan go?

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It’s finally conference tournament time in the Big Ten.

The 2025 Big Ten tournament bracket is set with 15 teams competing for an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA tournament from the 18-team league.

Michigan State is the top seed after winning the regular season title thanks to a seven-game winning streak to close the regular season, including a comfortable 79-62 win over rival Michigan on Sunday.

The Wolverines are the 3-seed with a double-bye in the tournament in a turnaround season led by first-year coach Dusty May. Michigan is guaranteed to reach the Big Dance for the first time since 2022, but could improve its seeding with a conference tournament run.

The first round is Wednesday with three games. The tournament continues with subsequent rounds each day, with the second round Thursday, quarterfinals Friday, semifinals Saturday and championship game Sunday afternoon leading into Selection Sunday.

Michigan and Michigan State’s double bye means they are off until Friday’s quarterfinals. The Spartans play at noon and the Wolverines play at approximately 9 p.m., or 25 minutes after the third game of the day ends.

Here is an attempt to do the impossible: Mapping out the results of every game from Big Ten tournament from the first round until Sunday’s final.

Big Ten tournament predictions for men’s basketball

First round

No. 12 Minnesota vs. No. 13 Northwestern: Minnesota and Northwestern are both on the outside looking in and need a conference tournament Cinderella run to reach the dance. Minnesota 77, Northwestern 71.

No. 10 Ohio State vs. No. 15 Iowa: The Buckeyes are on the NCAA tournament bubble and likely need a few wins in the conference tournament, which starts with a win over the Hawkeyes. Ohio State 75, Iowa 68.

No. 11 Rutgers vs No. 14 USC: Rutgers had a disappointing season despite its highly-touted recruiting class and will finish with another loss to the Trojans. USC 71, Rutgers 63.

Second round

No. 8 Oregon vs. No 9 Indiana: Oregon beat Indiana 73-64 at home in the…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/big-ten-basketball-tournament-predictions-215119565.html

Author : Detroit Free Press

Publish date : 2025-03-09 21:51:00

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