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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 Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Bryce McGowens Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Big Ten Basketball Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Bryce McGowens Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

First-round

12) Northwestern vs.  13) Nebraska

Is anybody hotter than Nebraska Basketball right now?  The 3-16 Cornhuskers are entering the Big Ten Tournament on a two-game winning streak, the last victory coming against Wisconsin that ultimately cost Wisconsin the outright Regular Season Championship and the No.1  seed in the tournament. Two of the Cornhuskers’ 16 regular-season losses came at the hands of Northwestern, 15 at home and by 12 on the road.

Bryce McGowens and Boo Buie will be fun to watch – if McGowens returns from a hand injury – but Buie has more support in Pete Nance and Chase Audige. that will put an end to the Cornhuskers’ longest conference winning streak of the season.

Prediction: Northwestern 75 – Nebraska 63

11) Penn State vs. 14) Minnesota

Penn State and Minnesota split their two regular-season contests with Minnesota winning at home 76-70 and Penn State winning on their home floor 67-46. In their six-point home victory, the Golden Gophers turned the ball over just three times, surrendering just three points off of turnovers, while tallying up 26 of their own points.

At Penn State, the Golden Gophers were outscored 10-3 on turnovers and shot just 32 percent. While Minnesota is good at taking care of the basketball, they will need a little more than that to get out of the first round.

Prediction: Penn State 67- Minnesota 59

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