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 2, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers team waits as officials determine a call that finalized a flagrant one foul against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) at the Kohl Center. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers team waits as officials determine a call that finalized a flagrant one foul against Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) at the Kohl Center. Iowa defeated Wisconsin 69-67. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Wisconsin Badgers

What to make of the Wisconsin Badgers?

The Badgers sat 21-3 and 10-1 in the conference on February 9th and were clearly in the driver’s seat. Purdue was a clear two games back with just seven to play.

Fast forward to the beginning of March and Wisconsin finished 2-5 over their last seven games and limped to a second-place finish in the Big Ten. Purdue finished two games up on Wisconsin (23-8, 12-6) and clinched an outright title even before they played their last game.

Perhaps the turnaround happened in their last victory, a 66-49 dismantling of Minnesota in Madison. Some of the old elements of successful Wisconsin basketball returned including shooting from Bronson Koenig. Overall, it was an important victory in a month of disappointments.

Still, Wisconsin remains a wildcard, despite the number 2-seed. A Friday match-up could await with the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team Wisconsin lost to at home. A virtual home game against Maryland could await on Saturday.

Should the Badgers return to their early season play, Koenig, Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ all need to play well. Teams have been successful in doubling Happ and Hayes and forcing turnovers or missed three-pointers. The Badgers are not particularly deep, so when things are going poorly offensively, there is not much to turn else to turn to.

Proceed with caution on the Badgers, we’ll quickly see if they have turned it around, or will their late season swoon continue.

Now, let’s meet the favorite.

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