Big Ten Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

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Dec 1, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Northwestern Wildcats center Alex Olah (22), Bryant McIntosh (30), and forward Gavin Skelly (44) walk off the court after defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies 81-79 at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern is getting better. Second-year head coach Chris Collins has the program heading in the right direction, and had seven foot senior center Alex Olah not missed 6 games and sophomore guard/forward Vic Law not missed the entire season, Northwestern might be seeded higher.

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Despite the adversity and injuries, the Wildcats completed their first 20-win season since 2010-11 and can set a school record with their 21st victory if they beat Michigan in the early game Thursday. In this projection, Northwestern will tie the record and come up a little short.

Why? In the match-up with the Wolverines, I believe, Michigan is more athletic and a better shooting team than Northwestern. The Wolverines take a high volume of three-pointers every game (only Indiana shot more during the conference season) and make 36.9% of those.

In Northwestern’s match-up against Michigan this season in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines struggled from three going just 4-of-15, but still pulled away in the final 4 minutes to down the Wildcats 72-63.

If the Wolverines are shooting well, it could be a much larger size of victory.

Next: 8. Michigan Wolverines

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