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Big Ten Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

By Trevor Sinodhinos

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 06: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 06: Alfonso Plummer #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini drives to the basket during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center on January 6, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten Basketball Ron Harper Jr. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Big Ten Basketball Ron Harper Jr. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

B1G Bracketology

Rutgers – Hoping for a play-in

Going into its tournament the Big Ten has eight teams in the tournament. The range goes from Purdue as a No. 2 seed to Indiana holding onto a No. 12 seed. All that adds up to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on the outside, for now.

Rutgers has benefitted greatly from their Big Ten schedule by getting victories over Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio State, and Wisconsin allowing them to have a 5-5 record versus Quad 1 opponents. The Big Ten bracket sets up nicely for Rutgers, with a double-bye then a possible match-up against Iowa then Illinois would give them the best possible resume.

Wisconsin – Region of preference

Getting a share of the Big Ten Regular Season Championship may not be enough for the Badgers to prove they are one of the top four teams in the nation. While the numbers might be reason enough for the Selection Committee to keep the Badgers out of a No. 1 seed. The Badger’s 8-3 record versus Quad 1 teams do not even put them in the top-20 in the NET, the Pomeroy Rankings have them even lower at No. 30.

With this article already stating Illinois are the Badger’s greatest threat, that Indiana has the best-upset potential and how Rutgers has already defeated them, it seems unwarranted to discuss Wisconsin as the Big Ten Tournament Champions. In fact, an early loss in the tournament might be the Badgers’ best path to the Midwest Region in Chicago as they would get some consideration as the best No. 2 seed or even likelier as the best No. 3 seed.

Purdue – No. 1 seed

The Big Ten is not getting a lot of love when it comes to bracketology. This could simply be a by-product of the poor performance of the conference in the 2021 National Tournament. Despite finishing third in the Big Ten bracketmatrix.com has the Purdue Boilermakers being the highest-seeded member of the Big Ten with a No. 2 seed.

While they may be the lowest No. 2 seed the Boilermakers seem to be the Big Ten’s best chance for a top seed, despite how much Wisconsin would like their preference of region. Wisconsin may deserve more accolades because of the fact that ‘they just got it done’ the Boilermakers should have hopes of a No. 1 seed if they win the Big Ten Tournament.

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