The Big Ten may be in the midst of a down year compared to its usual number of national championship contenders and Top-10 teams, but the conference is still extremely deep and full of parity.
While No. 17 Purdue has established itself as the top team, it’s an absolute jumbled mess below the Boilermakers with seven more likely NCAA tournament teams and another two on the bubble, all of whom are capable of making a run through the conference tournament.
Even without a real national powerhouse, that will make for an exhilarating five days at the Verizon Center next week.
Here’s a look at the tournament picture:
2017 Bracket & Seeds
You can click here for a printable bracket
1. Purdue (14-4)
2. Wisconsin (12-6)
3. Maryland (12-6)
4. Minnesota (11-7)
5. Michigan State (10-8)
6. Northwestern (10-8)
7. Iowa (10-8)
8. Michigan (10-8)
9. Illinois (8-10)
10. Indiana (7-11)
11. Ohio State (7-11)
12. Nebraska (6-12)
13. Penn State (6-12)
14. Rutgers (3-15)
2017 Tournament Schedule
Note: All times ET
Wednesday, March 8
Game 1: Penn State vs. Nebraska, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 2: Rutgers vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m., BTN
Thursday, March 9
Game 3: Illinois vs. Michigan, Noon, BTN
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Michigan State, 2:30 p.m., BTN
Game 5: Indiana vs. Iowa, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. Northwestern, 9 p.m., ESPN2
Friday, March 10
Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Purdue, Noon, ESPN
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Minnesota, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Wisconsin, 6:30 p.m., BTN
Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. Maryland, 9 p.m., BTN
Saturday, March 11
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1 p.m., CBS Sports
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports
Sunday, March 12
Championship: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 3 p.m., CBS Sports