Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Five teams that could win the Big Ten Tournament

By Bryce Bennett

Nov 23, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; General view of the Big Ten logo at the Bryce Jordan Center prior to the game between the Colgate Raiders and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State defeated Colgate 72-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; General view of the Big Ten logo at the Bryce Jordan Center prior to the game between the Colgate Raiders and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State defeated Colgate 72-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) is defended by Northwestern Wildcats guard Scottie Lindsey (20) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) is defended by Northwestern Wildcats guard Scottie Lindsey (20) during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan is about as talented an 8-seed as you will find in any conference tournament this season.

The Wolverines (20-11, 10-8) enter conference tournament play on a 6-2 end of season spurt. Their KenPom ranking is up to 27, third-best in the Big Ten. Even if they lose to Illinois in their first game, the Wolverines look to be solidly in the field.

What makes them scary is why they have turned things around: improved shooting and Derrick Walton Jr.

The skill on this team is impressive. All five players in a typical Michigan lineup can shoot from distance and most can break down their man off-the-dribble. In five out of their last eight games, Michigan scored over 75 points.

Derrick Walton Jr. has also been incredible during this 6-2 stretch. The senior guard has averaged 16.1 points per game, 7.1 assists per game, and 4.7 rebounds. He was recently named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week (with Caleb Swanigan) and on the All-Big Ten’s 2nd Team. He will be an absolute headache for all teams in the Big Ten Tournament.

The Wolverines’ draw is favorable as well. They open with Illinois on Friday, a team they split two games with during the season, but the last match-up between the two was almost two months ago. Should Michigan win, they would likely get Purdue, a team they beat by 12 in Ann Arbor.

The match-up with Purdue is favorable because of the sometimes big and lumbering lineups the Boilermakers put on the floor. Sophomore Mo Wagner, a 6’11 forward that shoots 43% from three, torched Purdue with 24 points on 4-8 shooting from three in their first victory.

There are questions about whether Michigan can replicate their late season surge on a neutral court, but, if they do, this is absolutely a team that can win the conference tournament.

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