Big Ten Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

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Mar 5, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Bishop Daniels (2) drives to the basket against Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Mike Lukashewich (25)during second half at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated Minnesota Golden Gophers 75-52.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Speaking of dumpster fires…the Golden Gophers will go out quietly in the tournament’s first game against #12 seed Illinois today. The Golden Gophers knew this would be a tough season, but a down season turned into a full-fledged disaster on March 1st.

Coach Richard Pitino suspended three players on the team for the rest of the season for posting a sexually explicit video to Twitter. One of the suspended players was leading scorer, sophomore point guard Nate Mason.

Losing is one thing and Minnesota fans seemed “okay” with that this season given the extreme youth on this team, but an out-of-control program is another. Pitino is one more bad season away from finding the exit in Minneapolis.

As for Wednesday’s game, senior Joey King will be out per coach Pitino, meaning Minnesota will be without three of its top players.

Illinois thrives off their guard play, and Minnesota did little in trying to stop Rutgers’ guards in a loss to them last week. Expect Illinois to win with relative ease here, and while Pitino has received support to come back next season and signed a top-25 recruiting class for 2016, he will need to re-establish expectations this off-season to get anywhere next season.

Next: 12. Nebraska Cornhuskers

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