Big Ten Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions
By Jason Belt
Quarterfinals
No. 9 Michigan vs. No. 1 Wisconsin
Don’t look now, but the Michigan Wolverines have a great shot at reaching the Big Ten championship game. I think they match up well with the 1 seeded Wisconsin Badgers and will give them fits all game. Look for someone like Franz Wagner to have a big game shooting the ball to propel the Wolverines to a huge upset. Nate Reuvers and company will keep the Badgers around for the majority of it, but a few breaks will go Michigan’s way and they will sneak into the semi-finals.
Prediction: Michigan wins 66-60
No. 5 Iowa vs. No. 4 Illinois
These two teams just wrapped up a highly competitive game to finish the Big Ten regular season, with the Illini coming away with a two-point victory. This game is so close to decide, and it could literally come down to the final possession. Another matchup of Luka Garza and Kofi Cockburn will be must-see tv, and the guard play isn’t bad either. Ayo Dosunmu is as good a player as anybody in the conference and will play his heart out until the final buzzer. I think the Hawkeyes will get revenge from March 8 and take this one.
Prediction: Iowa wins 71-67
No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Michigan State
Another matchup that occurred on the final day of the regular season, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans are always primed to give us a great game. In the most recent matchup, the Spartans used the emotion of Senior Day to guide them to a somewhat convincing victory over the Buckeyes.
On a neutral court, Sparty will have to deal with some adversity to get the win. Cassius Winston will be solid as usual, scoring and dishing to his playmakers, but the key for this game will be the play of Rocket Watts. The freshman wing will have a huge day, knocking down some key threes and will play great defense en route to a victory.
Prediction: Michigan State wins 81-72
No. 11 Indiana vs. No. 3 Maryland
A rematch of the 2002 National Championship could be upon us. That game saw Maryland come out victorious, and this matchup should be no different. In the previous two games these teams played against each other this season, Maryland came out on top in both contests. Jalen Smith was dominant in both of these games, and I don’t expect anything to change. Indiana’s streak of luck will come to an end, and the Terps will move on to the semi’s.
Prediction: Maryland wins 68-59