Big Ten Basketball: 2024 conference tournament preview and predictions
By Tuck Clarry
Bracketology
#1 seeds: Purdue
Should Purdue get to the finals it’s likely enough to make them #1 overall in the NCAA tournament.
#4-6 seeds: Illinois, Wisconsin
The Illini could flirt with the #3 line if they were to win the whole thing, but if they simply avoid a bad loss, we’re looking at a like #4 seed. The Badgers of Wisconsin could use some padding after a rough final two months of the season. The Badgers are 3-8 since the beginning of February and could plummet down the bracket should they get knocked out early.
#7-10 seeds: Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan State
Both Northwestern and Nebraska are safe with the upside of better seeding closer to the #7 seed, but neither should really surpass that potential assignment. Michigan State is in danger of not just falling out of this region of seeding but the tournament at large should they fall on their face in Detroit.
Bubble teams: Iowa, Maryland
Fran McCaffrey’s Hawkeyes need to make a bit of a run to have a shot to move into the tournament. A win against Ohio State and an upset against Illinois gets the job done. Easier said than done, however. And it may be a stretch to call the Terrapins a bubble team, but it’s hard to argue a run to the weekend doesn’t give them an outside shot.