Frank Kaminsky leads No. 1 seed Wisconsin into the Big Ten Tournament. (Getty)
The Big Ten Tournament at the United Center in Chicago figures to be a battle. They always are.
No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 8 Maryland have been atop the conference for most of the season and have been the most consistent down the stretch. The Badgers’ only loss since January 15 was to the Terps, while Maryland has won 6 straight.
The conference tends to beat up on each other during the regular season and this year has been no different. A pack of quality teams, including No. 23 Ohio State, Iowa, Purdue and Michigan State all have quality resumes, but a good showing in Chicago will help them in the eyes of the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
For the conference standings, click here.
Here’s what you need to know about the Big Ten Tournament:
The Basics
What:
When:
Wednesday, March 11 through Sunday, March 15
Where:
United Center – Chicago, Illinois
Channel:
ESPN / ESPN2 / Big Ten Network (BTN) / CBS
Last Year’s Winner
Michigan State
Big Ten Tournament Schedule
Maryland leading scorer Melo Trimble. (Getty)
All times Eastern
The Big Ten regular season was to finish Sunday evening. The schedule will be updated when the seeds are known.
First Round – Wednesday, March 11
Game 1: No. 13 Penn State vs. No. 12 Nebraska, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 2: No. 14 Rutgers vs. No. 11 Minnesota, 7 p.m., BTN
Second Round – Thursday, March 12
Game 3: No. 8 Illinois vs. No. 9 Michigan, Noon, Big Ten
Game 4: No. 5 Iowa vs. Game 1 winner, 25 minutes after ending of Noon game, BTN
Game 5: No. 7 Indiana vs. No. 10 Northwestern, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 6: No. 6 Ohio State vs. Game 2 winner, 25 minutes after ending of 6:30 game, ESPN2
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 13
Game 7: No. 1 Wisconsin vs. Game 3 winner, Noon, ESPN
Game 8: No. 4 Purdue vs. Game 4 winner, 25 minutes after ending of Noon game, ESPN
Game 9: No. 2 Maryland vs. Game 5 winner, 6:30 p.m., BTN
Game 10: No. 3 Michigan State vs. Game 6 winner, 25 minutes after ending of 6:30 game, BTN
Semifinals – Saturday, March 14
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1 p.m., CBS
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 25 minutes after ending of 1 p.m. game, CBS
Championship – Sunday, March 15
Semifinal Winners, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Big Ten Tournament Odds
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo. (Getty)
Wisconsin and Maryland set themselves apart as the cream of the Big Ten crop.
Iowa, Purdue and Michigan State all finished 12-6 in conference play. And when do you ever count out Tom Izzo and the Spartans when the postseason begins? You don’t.
Official betting odds will be posted once they become available.
