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Big Ten Basketball Tournament: Michigan, Purdue and Michigan State fight for the crown

By Eddie Herz

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 04: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-66 during the championship game of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 04: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-66 during the championship game of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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oEAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball while defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
oEAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball while defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

There is a lot on the line with the Big Ten Basketball Tournament getting underway. Which teams are most likely to win it?

For some college basketball fans, the most enjoyable time of the year is only one week away. But in the minds of devoted college hoops junkies, the “holy grail” of sports has already commenced.

Of course, I’m talking about conference tournament time, which provides a similar level of excitement to March Madness itself. Specifically for Big Ten Basketball supporters, the 2019 addition of the Big Ten Tournament should be a fun one, appropriately leading up to the NCAA Tournament.

Because more than half of the conference will most likely make the field of 68, there are plenty of capable contenders for the Big Ten Tournament crown. And if the regular season has taught us anything about the conference, it’s that anyone can beat anyone.

Related Story. Early look at Big Ten recruiting classes. light

There is a large gap of talent separating the double-bye teams and the four programs forced to compete in the first round on Wednesday. However, It wouldn’t be all that surprising if a Penn State, or Rutgers, made a run.

All 14 Big Ten teams will be taken seriously at the United Center, as there isn’t a bad team in the conference this year. The 14-loss Indiana Hoosiers still finding themselves in bubble discussions should tell you enough about the competitiveness within the field. But if you need more, look at the NET rankings.

Nebraska earned the second-worst seed in the tournament after limping to a 16-15 overall record. Although, The Cornhuskers 52-NET rating speaks to the strength of arguably the best conference in college basketball.

As for the “favorites” to bring home the BT crown, Michigan State rightfully secured the top seed after bouncing Michigan on the road and sweeping the season series from the Wolverines. MSU’s end results are awe-inspiring considering Tom Izzo’s resilient group captured a regular-season title despite a hobbled lineup.

The Spartans check in at No. 6 in the new AP Poll and have a lot to play for in Chicago as they have re-entered No. 1 seed discussion.

Greg Gard’s Wisconsin Badgers received the Big Ten Basketball Tournament’s final double-bye after edging Maryland in the regular season by one game. Though Wisconsin sneaks into ideal placement, the Terrapins will likely have an opportunity to erase the Badgers’ conference title hopes in the quarterfinals. The potential matchup would provide significant NCAA Tournament seeding implications for both schools.

We’ll provide insight regarding the rest of the field later. Now, let’s transition to breaking down every detail within the tournament, starting with the players most likely to carry their team to a Big Ten Tournament title.

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