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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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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a basket late in the game while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-70. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a basket late in the game while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-70. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Semifinals

1. Michigan State vs. 5. Maryland

Maryland can keep up with every Big Ten team and most teams in the country when it is at its best. However, keep up doesn’t mean win, and it will be tough for the Terps to defeat MSU even if they are firing on all cylinders. Again, the Spartans barely batting an eye without Nick Ward is convincing enough to lead me to believe no one has a chance at taking down Sparty with Ward healthy. On MSU will go to the championship.

2. Purdue vs. 3. Michigan

As discussed earlier, the Boilermakers have improved in every facet since their lopsided defeat in Ann Arbor, making for another game that could highlight the intensity of the Big Ten Tournament itself. Purdue has arguably played better than the Wolverines over the closing months of the regular season. Painter’s versatile group has lost only three games since December 20, while Beilein’s lineup has suffered five defeats over the same span. Michigan may be a great team, but Purdue is better in a lot of ways.

The Boilermakers hold evident advantages over the Wolverines in just about every way offensively. Given the quarterfinals will warm Purdue up, it will be full speed ahead for the Boilermakers on offense this round. Michigan is one of, if not the best defensive programs in the country. But it isn’t as if Purdue’s D is exploitable. The Boilermakers still hold their opponents to less than 67 points on average. I envision Purdue getting off to a hot start and taking advantage early. The Wolverines will storm back, but Purdue will ultimately hold on for the win.

Championship

1. Michigan State vs. 2. Purdue

I’ve clung to the Spartans from the beginning of the prediction portion of this piece, and I won’t let go now. Assuming all of MSU’s injuries progress with time and over each game, the Spartans are only going to play better throughout the Big Ten Tournament and into March Madness.

Next. Biggest Bracketology storylines for Champ Week. dark

Izzo will add to his already outstanding postseason resume by earning the program its first Big Ten Tournament title since the 2015-’16 season, notching the Spartans a top NCAA Tournament seed in the process.

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