Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Illinois, Michigan leads rankings heading into NCAA Tournament

By Ryan Kay

Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate with the Big Ten Conference Tournament trophy after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Members of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrate with the Big Ten Conference Tournament trophy after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten Basketball Iowa Hawkeyes Luka Garza Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Big Ten Basketball Iowa Hawkeyes Luka Garza Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous: 4th. Buckeyes . 4. team. 490. . 21-10

Wins

*Illinois State
*UMass Lowell
*Morehead State
*Cleveland State
*@Notre Dame
*UCLA (neutral site)
*Rutgers (twice)
*Nebraska
*Northwestern
*@Illinois
*@Wisconsin
*Penn State (twice)
*@Iowa
*@Maryland
*Michigan State
*Indiana

Loses

*@Northwestern
*Purdue (twice)
*@Minnesota
*Michigan
*@Michigan State
*Iowa
*Illinois
*Oral Roberts

Net ranking: 8

KenPom ranking: 7

AP ranking: 7

Post-Season Tournament: NCAA Tournament

First Round Opponent: Lost to Oral Roberts in overtime

Brief Season Summary

The Buckeyes entering the NCAA tournament were one of the most intriguing and fun teams to watch as they pushed Illinois to the limit in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State’s depth and different players stepping up at various times had been fun to experience and watch for Buckeye fans but the very surprising upset by No. 15 seed Oral Roberts was heartbreaking to Ohio State and their fans.

Had this ranking been done last week, the Buckeyes would have more than likely been ranked in the top-3 in this Big Ten ranking. However, Ohio State lost to Michigan and struggled and lost to Michigan State and Iowa.

Even with the shocking upset in the NCAA tournament, Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann is continuing to turn his program back into a top-tier Big ten squad, and he has to be very proud of the play of his best three players in E.J. Liddell, Duane Washington Jr., and Justice Sueing. However, it is not how you start with the development of your program necessarily but how your program continues to grow and flourish which is the most important for Holtmann and his program.

Previous: 3rd. Hawkeyes . 3. team. 483. . 21-8

Wins

*North Carolina Central
*Southern
*Western Illinois
*North Carolina
*Iowa State
*Northern Illinois
*Purdue
*Northwestern (twice)
*Rutgers (twice)
*@Maryland
*Minnesota
*Michigan State (twice)
*Wisconsin (three times)
*Nebraska
*Penn State
*@Ohio State

Loses

*Gonzaga (neutral site)
*@Minnesota
*Indiana (twice)
*Ohio State
*@Michigan
*Illinois (twice)

Net ranking: 6

KenPom ranking: 5

AP ranking: 8

Post-Season Tournament: NCAA Tournament

First Round Opponent: Grand Canyon

Brief Season Summary

Prior to the start of this season, the Hawkeyes brought back this season the Big Ten Player of the Year favorite Luka Garza who would end up winning the award this year, Joe Wieskamp, CJ Fredrick, Patrick McCaffery, and Jordan Bohannon this season and all are played well when healthy. The biggest surprise this season had been the play of sophomore Jack Nunge but he suffered an injury and is out for the season.

Iowa overall has played very well this season and Garza and Wieskamp have both really played great throughout the season helping the Hawkeyes exceed preseason expectations. Garza will be the key to Iowa making a deep run in the NCAA tournament as he is experienced, has the ability to score, and is a leader on the court. The Hawkeyes along with Michigan and Illinois are the favorites to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament from the Big Ten conference.

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