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Big Ten Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

By Bryce Bennett

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Jan 2, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Max Bielfeldt (0) and forward Troy Williams (5) and the rest of the team huddle on the court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Max Bielfeldt (0) and forward Troy Williams (5) and the rest of the team huddle on the court against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Indiana Hoosiers

The outright Big Ten regular season champions get the Spartans in the championship game on Sunday. The Hoosiers’ turnaround has been well-documented, but that still makes it incredible.

The Hoosiers disastrous Maui trip and blow out loss to Duke earlier in the season feels like three years ago, as the team right now has completely bought into coach Tom Crean’s message and game plan. The credit there goes to Crean and senior Yogi Ferrell.

Ferrell will go down as one of the best point guards in Indiana history and probably the best player of the post-Bob Knight era. He has always had a great ability to create, score and distribute, but this season he has stepped up in leadership and defensive ability.

He was rewarded this week with a selection to the All Big Ten Defensive Team. I mean, look at this effort in their Maryland win this past Saturday.

How can teammates not feed off that energy?

From an X’s and O’s standpoint, Indiana has evolved into a scary offensive machine. They litter the floor with shooters, but can dump the ball down low to all-Big Ten freshman team member Thomas Bryant for buckets around the rim.

With Yogi’s play and leadership, Indiana also rose to a top-5 defense in conference play and owns the second highest point differential behind Michigan State.

The team currently sits on the 3/4 seed line for the NCAA Tournament. An outright regular season championship and tournament championship will probably move them to the 2-line, barring how other conference tournaments shake out.

However, in this prediction, Indiana is going down at the hands of the Spartans. How will they do it?

Next: Michigan State Spartans

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