Big Ten Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

Teams to watch

Team to beat: Michigan State (22-9, 14-6)

Any team that has Tom Izzo at the helm is one that is a team to beat. Michigan State is a team that has the ability to win the championship no matter what seed they get. After a rocky middle of the season, the Spartans were able to figure out a lineup that produces, leading to big wins. They won key games at Illinois, Maryland, and Penn State en route to climbing back into the picture.

Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman are experienced, tested guys that understand what it takes to get to a Final Four. They will need role players such as Rocket Watts, Aaron Henry, and Malik Hall to step up in every game in order to get there.

Biggest threat: Maryland (24-7, 14-6)

As far as pure talent goes, Maryland might be the biggest threat to win this tournament. Maryland is a team that has the ability to either win the championship with ease or struggle and fall to a lower seed. The Terps have their one-two punch in Anthony Cowan Jr. and Jalen Smith and deserve credit for what they have accomplished this season in a very tough conference.

Despite a late-season slide losing three of their last five, Maryland is in a great position to make a run. The Final Four is in Atlanta this year, and the Terps will have their highest NCAA Tournament seed since their National Championship run in 2002. Where was the Final Four held that year? Atlanta. Coincidence? We’ll see.

Dark Horse: Michigan (19-12, 10-10)

This season has been a whirlwind for the Michigan Wolverines. Beginning the season unranked, to dominating the Battle for Atlantis in November and jumping to No. 4 in the rankings, to struggling mid-season and falling out of the rankings, this team has gone through it all. Juwan Howard has had to deal with his share of adversity in his first year at the helm, but things are on the come up.

The Wolverines are the 9th seed in the Big Ten Tournament and have a strong chance to sneak into the Semi-Final or Final games. They have a very strong inside-outside duo of Xavier Simpson and Jon Teske and have plenty of role players surrounding them. Isaiah Livers is an experienced forward that knows what it takes to win this tournament, having done it two seasons ago, and can provide length and shooting for Michigan. With a favorable schedule in Indy, don’t be shocked if the Wolverines are still playing on Sunday.