Championship week often belongs to players who can get hot from the perimeter.
Every March, the Big Ten tournament in Chicago becomes a stage where elite scorers take over games. A few made threes can flip momentum in a hurry. A player who finds rhythm from deep can carry a team through the bracket. In a conference filled with experienced guards and versatile wings, several players arrive at the United Center capable of taking over a game with their shooting.
Michigan may be the regular-season champion, but the Big Ten tournament is rarely predictable. Teams like Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Purdue all have players who can explode offensively at any moment.
Here is a power ranking of the top Big Ten snipers entering the 2026 Big Ten tournament.
10. Trent Perry, UCLA
Trent Perry has quietly become one of the most reliable perimeter shooters in the conference.
The UCLA guard averages 12.4 points per game while shooting 41.2 percent from three-point range. Perry’s ability to space the floor has been a major reason the Bruins remain a dangerous team in tournament play.
UCLA opens the tournament on Thursday and Perry could immediately be thrown into a high-pressure matchup.
9. John Blackwell, Wisconsin
Wisconsin always seems to produce tough scoring guards, and John Blackwell has continued that tradition this season.
Blackwell averages 18.3 points per game and hits 2.7 three-pointers per game. His confidence as a shooter has helped keep the Badgers competitive throughout conference play.
In a tournament setting, players like Blackwell can change a game in just a few possessions.
8. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Bruce Thornton has been one of the most consistent scorers in the Big Ten.
The Ohio State guard averages 20.1 points per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from three. Thornton has the ability to score in multiple ways, but when he finds rhythm from deep, he becomes extremely difficult to defend.
Ohio State begins the tournament in the third round and will likely rely heavily on Thornton’s offense.
7. Nick Boyd, Wisconsin
Nick Boyd has delivered one of the strongest offensive seasons in the conference.
The Wisconsin guard averages 20.1 points per game and has been one of the most reliable shooters in the Big Ten backcourt. Boyd’s ability to create his own shot makes him a constant scoring threat.
If Wisconsin makes a deep run in Chicago, Boyd will likely be the reason.
6. Keaton Wagler, Illinois
Illinois thrives on offensive firepower, and Keaton Wagler has played a major role in that identity.
The Illini guard averages 17.9 points per game while knocking down 2.3 three-pointers per game and shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. Wagler has shown the ability to take over games when Illinois needs scoring.
Illinois begins tournament play in the quarterfinals on Friday and could be one of the most dangerous teams in the field.
5. Cade Tyson, Minnesota
Cade Tyson has been one of the best shooters in the conference all season.
The Minnesota forward averages 19.5 points per game and shoots more than 42 percent from three-point range. Tyson’s ability to stretch defenses creates space for the rest of the Gophers offense.
Minnesota begins the tournament in the second round and could rely heavily on Tyson’s shooting if it hopes to make a run.
4. Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Tyler Bilodeau has developed into one of the most efficient shooters in the Big Ten.
The UCLA forward averages 18.0 points per game and is shooting an impressive 46.2 percent from three-point range. That level of efficiency makes him one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the conference.
Bilodeau’s ability to score from multiple spots makes him difficult for defenses to track.
3. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Few guards in the conference have been as productive offensively as Bennett Stirtz.
The Iowa guard averages 20.2 points per game while knocking down 2.5 three-pointers per contest. Stirtz has consistently delivered big scoring performances throughout the season.
If Iowa hopes to move through the bracket in Chicago, Stirtz will need to stay hot.
2. Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
Lamar Wilkerson has been one of the most explosive shooters in the Big Ten.
The Indiana guard averages 21.0 points per game and leads the conference with 3.3 three-pointers per game. When Wilkerson gets rolling from deep, he can change a game in minutes.
Indiana begins tournament play in the second round and could quickly become a dangerous team if Wilkerson catches fire.
1. Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Nick Martinelli enters the Big Ten tournament as the conference’s most dangerous scoring threat.
The Northwestern star leads the Big Ten with 22.7 points per game and has been one of the most consistent offensive players in the country. Martinelli combines efficient shooting with the ability to create his own offense late in games.
If Northwestern hopes to make a surprising run through the bracket, Martinelli will almost certainly be the centerpiece of that effort.
Big Ten tournament spotlight
The 2026 Big Ten tournament will be played at the United Center in Chicago and features all 18 conference teams.
Michigan enters the tournament as the regular-season champion after finishing 29-2 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten play. The Wolverines will not play until the quarterfinal round, giving them a valuable rest advantage.
Michigan State, Nebraska and Illinois all finished close behind and could challenge for the title, while teams like Wisconsin, Purdue and UCLA have the talent to disrupt the bracket.
The depth of the Big Ten has been clear all season, and that balance often leads to unpredictable results in March.
2026 Big Ten tournament schedule
All games will be played at the United Center in Chicago.
First round
Tuesday, March 10
No. 16 Oregon vs No. 17 Maryland — 5 p.m. (Peacock)
No. 15 Northwestern vs No. 18 Penn State — 7:30 p.m. (Peacock)
Second round
Wednesday, March 11
No. 9 Iowa vs Game 1 winner — noon (Peacock)
No. 12 Washington vs No. 13 USC — 2:30 p.m. (Peacock)
No. 10 Indiana vs Game 2 winner — 6:30 p.m. (BTN)
No. 11 Minnesota vs No. 14 Rutgers — 9 p.m. (BTN)
Third round
Thursday, March 12
No. 8 Ohio State vs Game 3 winner — noon (BTN)
No. 5 Wisconsin vs Game 4 winner — 2:30 p.m. (BTN)
No. 7 Purdue vs Game 5 winner — 6:30 p.m. (BTN)
No. 6 UCLA vs Game 6 winner — 9 p.m. (BTN)
Quarterfinals
Friday, March 13
No. 1 Michigan vs Game 7 winner — noon (BTN)
No. 4 Illinois vs Game 8 winner — 2:30 p.m. (BTN)
No. 2 Nebraska vs Game 9 winner — 6:30 p.m. (BTN)
No. 3 Michigan State vs Game 10 winner — 9 p.m. (BTN)
Semifinals
Saturday, March 14
Game 11 winner vs Game 12 winner — 1 p.m. (CBS)
Game 13 winner vs Game 14 winner — 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Championship
Sunday, March 15
Big Ten championship game — 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
In a tournament setting, shooting often decides everything. One hot player can carry a team through multiple rounds, and the Big Ten has no shortage of players capable of doing exactly that in Chicago.