Big Ten Tournament Predictions
Submitted by Wes Sims on Wed, 03/11/2009 - 15:55
The 2009 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament gets under way tomorrow in Indianapolis and many questions will be answered. Can the favored Michigan State Spartans win the tournament and nab themselves a number two seed in the NCAA tournament? Will Purdue show everyone in the conference they are for real and a force to be reckoned with? Can teams like Michigan, Minnesota and even Northwestern make enough noise to get a NCAA tournament bid? Let’s take a look at what I see happening this weekend in Indianapolis.
The tournament opens with the No. 8 seed Minnesota taking on No. 9 seed Northwestern. These two teams spilt the season series, both winning on their home court. I see Minnesota winning this game in a tough battle.
The next match up will see No. 7 Michigan taking on No. 10 Iowa. Both teams took care of business on their home court during the Big Ten season. This one will be close for most of the game but look for Michigan to pull away in the end and get the win.
No. 6 Penn State squares off against No. 11 Indiana in our next match up. Penn State won both meeting this season and look for the same in the night cap on Thursday but I do think Indiana will make it interesting.
The fun gets started Friday with No. 1 Michigan State taking on No. 8 Minnesota. The Spartans owned the Golden Gophers in both meetings this season and I see more of the same in this one as Michigan State rolls to a victory.
Next up is No. 4 Wisconsin taking on No. 5 Ohio State. The Badgers won the only meeting between these two teams this season, which was held in Madison. These will be one if not the best game of the tournament as I see Ohio State squeaking out the win.
No. 2 Illinois squares No. 7 Michigan in our next match up. Both teams took care of business on their home court during the season series. I see a dog fight between these two teams with the Wolverines emerging as the victor.
The night cap on Friday features No. 3 Purdue taking on No 6. Penn State. These two teams spilt the season series, both winning on their home court. This game should be close but I see Penn State edging out the Boilermakers for the win.
The semi finals get started with No. 1 Michigan State battling No. 5 Ohio State. The Spartans won both meetings this season and I see them making it three in a row against the Buckeyes in a very competitive game.
The other semi final game will pit No. 6 Penn State batting No. 7 Michigan. These two teams split the season series by winning at home. In another close game, I see the Wolverines pulling it out.
This would set up the Big Ten Championship game on Sunday between Michigan State and Michigan. The Spartans won the only regular season meeting between the two in Ann Arbor. Look for an epic battle between these in state rivals with Michigan State pulling out the victory to win the tournament.
How close are my predictions? We’ll find out starting tomorrow afternoon from the Conseco Fieldhouse.
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