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Big Ten Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Jason Belt

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - MARCH 08: Members of the Maryland Terrapins celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 83-70 to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title at Xfinity Center on March 08, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - MARCH 08: Members of the Maryland Terrapins celebrate with the trophy after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 83-70 to clinch a share of the Big Ten regular season title at Xfinity Center on March 08, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Semi-finals

No. 9 Michigan vs. No. 5 Iowa

As tempted as I am to pick Michigan to advance to the championship, I think their run ends here. They’ll give Iowa their best shot, but I think they will be burnt out from having played three games in three days, and it will cost them. Iowa’s depth might cause a problem for Juwan Howard’s team, and they could struggle to defend. At the rate Iowa scores, Michigan will have to counter, and I don’t know if they will have enough firepower left in the tank.

Prediction: Iowa wins 82-75

No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 3 Maryland

A dogfight. This game will be a dogfight. This will be the third time since Maryland joined the Big Ten conference that they will play the Spartans in the semi-finals of the tournament. They fell short in both previous games, and I think it might happen again. Mark Turgeon got the monkey of never winning a Big Ten title off of his back, but he’s not quite ready to take the throne from Tom Izzo and company. Anthony Cowan Jr. and Cassius Winston will duel for the third time this year, as well as a matchup of Jalen Smith and Xavier Tillman Sr. on the interior. Maryland is really good but is not disciplined enough to win this game.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 68-62

Championship

No. 5 Iowa vs. No. 2 Michigan State

Here we are. Championship Sunday. Winner gets an automatic bid into the big dance. Of course, both of these teams are basically locks to make the field of 68 regardless but to hoist the trophy and be crowned Big Ten champs is a huge confidence boost heading into March madness. These two teams have players that can make a difference in this game and lead their team to victory.

Cassius Winston has the advantage at point guard, which is key because if he is able to facilitate for his team, they will have the upper hand over most teams. The Luka Garza-Xavier Tillman Sr. matchup will be one to watch, as both big men are the backbone of their respective teams. A Rocket Watts-Joe Wieskamp matchup will also be interesting, with both guys being young and slightly inexperienced.

Next. Top 25 power rankings. dark

Having to choose a winner between these two, I’ll have to side with the more experienced Michigan State Spartans. I repeat myself a lot when talking about the Spartans, but it is because experience is very important in March, and Iowa lacks that to some degree. Sparty will reign supreme in Indy.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 74-67

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