Big Ten Basketball: 2021 conference tournament preview and predictions
First Round
(14) Nebraska versus (11) Penn State
Their Big Ten First Round Tournament game will serve as the rubber match between these two teams. Their first matchup was won by Nebraska 62-61, then the Penn State Nittany Lions bounced back nine days later to collect an 81-78 victory. Even with their lack of success, the Cornhuskers’ 3-16 conference record includes seven losses by ten points or fewer.
Although the Cornhuskers have not resembled a team that had their leading scorer depart from the team, their turnover per game has not reduced as they lead the conference in that category. The tendency to turn over the ball will only worsen versus Penn State who averages over seven steals per game. Penn State will be led by Myreon Jones (15.5 ppg) and Izaiah Brockington (13.0 ppg).
The Nittany Lions in their own right are no strangers to close games, as five of their six conference victories were by ten points or fewer. Much like the first two contests, look for the Nittany Lions’ advantage on the offensive boards and the free-throw line to be the difference in yet another close ball game
Prediction: Penn State 77- Nebraska 71
(13) Minnesota versus (12) Northwestern
This first-round matchup will not be lacking in excitement as both teams have players who are capable of incredible individual performances. If it was not for the projected lack of success of both teams in the tournament, either Northwestern’s Boo Buie (10.5 ppg) or Minnesota’s Marcus Carr (19.6 ppg) would both be key players to watch throughout the entire tournament.
As it stands the 6-13 Northwestern Wildcats and the 6-14 Minnesota Golden Gophers will battle it out for the right to play Ohio State in the second round. In their only matchup of the season, Boo Buie led Northwestern to a 67-59 victory with a 25 point performance to outduel Marcus Carr and his 21 points.
The most glaring stat in the game was Minnesota’s four for twenty-seven from beyond the arc, a season-low. Statistically speaking, the difference between the teams is incremental and at some point how the teams are executing needs to be taken into consideration. W
ith the Golden Gophers on a seven-game losing streak and there being no timetable for Liam Robbin’s return, Carr, Goch, and Mashburn will not be enough for the Golden Gophers to meet their potential.