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 5, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Zak Showalter (3) chases Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) as Mason drives the ball down the floor during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Zak Showalter (3) chases Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) as Mason drives the ball down the floor during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Minnesota Golden Gophers

The hardware picked up by the Golden Gophers on Tuesday night was impressive. The Gophers picked up the Big Ten Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All Big Ten, 3rd Team All Big Ten, and All-Freshmen Team.

Now the surprise Golden Gophers look to add a Big Ten Tournament title to this season’s improbable return to prominence.

They will have a great shot at it.

Minnesota was 5-1 over their last third of the season. After a 3-6 beginning half of the schedule, but finished 8-1 in the last half of the season.

Coach Richard Pitino has built this year’s team much like many of his father’s teams. The Golden Gophers (23-8, 11-7) rely on athleticism, tough, pressure defense, rebounding, and timely three-point shooting.

That’s exactly the formula Minnesota could use to win the tournament.

To win the tournament, Minnesota will potentially need to avenge two losses to Michigan State. They do have a road victory over Purdue, a potential semi-final opponent, and have a front court presence to deter a strong Boilermaker front court. If Minnesota gets to Sunday, anything can happen.

The Golden Gophers could be a boom or bust type team in the conference tournament. Their boom is good enough to win it all.

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