Will the tournament bring chaos? If the regular season is any clue, the answer to be expected would be a yes! Sunday saw a chaotic final burst for seeding, and nothing was settled until the last game was played. Bet on College Basketball!

First Round

Northwestern vs Nebraska

The Wildcats have handled the Cornhuskers twice this season and left no doubt who the better team is in this matchup. The Cornhuskers are coming off their best game of the season, an upset win over the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wildcats are the more consistent team and the safer bet. Wildcats 75  Huskers 67

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Penn State vs Minnesota

These two teams split their two matchups, with Minnesota winning a close one at home and the Nittany Lions winning a blowout. Both teams play hard, but Penn State is the better team in this matchup. The Nittany Lions are good at controlling the tempo, and they do it here to win. Nittany Lions 72 Gophers 62

Second Round

Indiana Vs Michigan

Michigan beat Indiana 80-62 on Jan. 23 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The Wolverines have beaten Indiana nine consecutive times. Juwan Howard will be back patrolling the sideline for the Wolverines. Michigan is a streaky team, and they took down Ohio State on the road on Sunday. Michigan has won 9 straight over the Hoosiers. With all that being said, I am going with the Hoosiers to win this one. Indiana 68 Michigan 67

Northwestern vs Iowa

Iowa finished the season strong, and I think that continues here as Northwestern does not have the fire-power to keep up with the Hawkeyes! Iowa 86 Northwestern 67

Michigan State vs Maryland

These teams are playing a rematch of Sunday’s season finale controlled by Michigan State 77-67; look for a similar type of game in this tournament matchup. Spartans 75  Terrapins 70

Ohio State vs Penn State

Penn State is a tough, scrappy team, and Ohio State is an underachieving team as of late. I look for Penn State to control the tempo and pull the upset here. Penn State 59 Ohio State 58

Third Round

Indiana vs Illinois

Consistency has been an issue with the Illini, but Kofi Cockburn is a man among boys, and Indiana had problems earlier in the season. Barring Cockburn getting into foul trouble, the Illini will be advancing. Illinois 77  Indiana 68

Rutgers vs Iowa

Iowa has been the hottest team in the league over the past month. Rutgers has gone 6-4 over their last ten games. These two teams played at the start of the big ten season, with Rutgers winning 49-48. The game will not be that low scoring, and I think the Hawkeyes will win in this one. Rutgers will not have enough offensive weapons to keep up. Iowa 66 Rutgers 60

Wisconsin vs Michigan State

If Johnny Davis plays, the Badgers will win; the Spartans will win if he doesn’t play. I think Davis will play, so I am picking the Badgers! Badgers 75  Spartans 64

Penn State vs Purdue

Purdue will win this game, but it will be tight until the last ten minutes when the Boilermakers slowly pull away. Purdue 69 Penn State 56

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Semifinals

Illinois vs Iowa

We just saw this game played over the weekend, and it was a great game with the Illini getting a come from behind win 74-72. Expect a very similar game when these teams meet again. I am picking Iowa in a minor upset in this one. Iowa 78 Illinois 75

Purdue vs Wisconsin

Wisconsin won both games during the regular season, and it’s hard to beat an excellent team three times in one season. I will take Purdue in a tight one. Boilermakers 72 Badgers 70

Championship Game

Iowa vs Purdue

Purdue won the only meeting between these two teams 83-73 early in the season. Since that game, Iowa has improved a lot as a team, and Purdue has looked vulnerable late in the season. Iowa gets the win and the Championship. Iowa 84 Purdue 79