With Selection Sunday upon us, teams safely in, and those on the bubble have all but done all that they can to make their final case. The Big Ten has had plenty of teams flirting with the bubble throughout the season. Some have moved off of it, like the Ohio State Buckeyes. Others didn’t do themselves any favors in the Big Ten Tournament. The number of teams from the Big Ten that will be dancing could be anywhere between nine and 10 teams.
Let’s make some final predictions for the seeds for each of the Big Ten teams in March Madness.
Final Seed Line Predictions For Big Ten Teams In March Madness
Michigan – 1 Seed
The Michigan Wolverines have more than proven themselves as one of the favorites to win March Madness. The Wolverines have cruised to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game for the second-straight year. Like Vladislav Goldin a year ago, Aday Mara is playing his way to a possible Big Ten Tournament MVP award. A 31-2 record, and going 19-1 in a very tough Big Ten, has more than prepared the Wolverines for a deep run as the No. 1 Seed in the Midwest Region.
Michigan State – 2 Seed
It was a disappointing Big Ten Tournament for Michigan State. They went one-and-done in a five-point loss to UCLA. Doing so certainly may have knocked the Spartans from one of the better No. 2 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. However, other teams on the two-line also lost early, including Iowa State. Not only that, but fellow Big Ten teams Nebraska and Illinois also lost. It will be fun to see what Jeremy Fears Jr can help lead Tom Izzo to in the Big Dance, as he has proven to be one of the best point guards in the country. Let alone putting up huge assist numbers, along the way. It isn’t quite favorable, but the No. 2 in the West Region seems very likely.
Purdue- 3 Seed
The Purdue Boilermakers have been all over the board during the last several weeks of the season. Despite losing at home five times, against five teams that are all going to be a six seed or higher in the NCAA Tournament. Four of those games were against the best teams in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers have made one heck of a charge as the seventh-seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Now, Braden Smith and company have a chance at revenge against Michigan on Selection Sunday. In the overall sense of things, it may not make a big difference in the bracket, but knocking out the second-seeded Cornhuskers in a blowout in the Big Ten quarterfinals, plus beating UCLA, has Purdue back on track and the likely No. 3 Seed in the South Region.
Illinois- 3 Seed
For much of the season, Illinois looked like a team with talent that matched even Michigan. For whatever reason, especially when they were as healthy as they have been all season, going into the Big Ten Quarterfinals. That was all for not as the Illini were bounced by their old pals from Wisconsin. 19 points from both star freshmen, David Mirkovic and Keaton Wagler, weren’t enough as the Illini fell in overtime 91-88. Despite getting bounced, Brad Underwood’s team has the talent to make a run. Not to mention, as the No. 3 seed in the East Region.
Nebraska- 3 Seed
In a never-before-seen season in Nebraska Basketball history, the Huskers will be looking to add more history in the NCAA Tournament. Despite making a handful of appearances, they are still seeking their first NCAA Tourney win. Fred Hoiberg’s team sits at 26-6 on the season. They finished second in the Big Ten. However, they looked all out of sorts in a blowout loss in the Big Ten Quarterfinals against Purdue. That will make it a tough road ahead, as Nebraska likely falls to the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region, which would put them in a tough region alongside top-seeded Michigan and a Two-Seeded UConn.
Wisconsin- 5 Seed
The Badgers of Wisconsin certainly made a statement with a run that nearly made it to Sunday. A last-second three from Michigan ended a tremendous run for Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. What a story that would have been, given that Wisconsin was the only team in the Big Ten to beat the Wolverines this season. John Blackwell and Nick Boyd are very dangerous shooters, but what Austin Rapp did in the second half for Wisconsin to even have a chance was magical. He finished with 18 points, making six threes, leading the team to overcome a 15-point lead in what felt like a heartbeat. Though tired legs ultimately cost Wisconsin. This team isn’t a Five-seed you want to see in the Big Dance. If they can get Nolan Winter back before next week, that East Region is going to be interesting.
UCLA- 7 Seed
Things looked very sketchy, not even a month ago, for Mick Cronin and UCLA. As it turns out, the turmoil during their trip to Michigan State may have awoken something special. In a conference notorious for great guards, Donovan Dent looked like a great guard during the Bruins’ run to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals, including the first-ever Triple-Double in Big Ten Tournament history. An upset of Michigan State in the quarterfinals more than boosted the confidence in Los Angeles. Dent has been incredible over the last month. Thus, the Bruins will be a tough out as a seventh seed, likely heading South.
Ohio State- 8 Seed
The Buckeyes were down for the count. Written off, and look at the now. Not only did they score a massive win in the closing week of the regular season, upsetting Purdue. They were able to make a strong run in the Big Ten Tournament, reaching the Quarterfinals. That four-game winning streak, combined with a strong showing falling by just four points to Michigan, has paid off as Bruce Thornton, the all-time leading Ohio State scorer, will finally be dancing. It’s going to be a tough draw, as the Buckeyes are on the Eight-Seed line going into Selection Sunday. That also means they will most likely be in the East Region. You know what that means, Duke’s region.
Iowa- 9 Seed
Making the Big Dance in year one of the Ben McCollum era is a massive statement. Bennett Stirtz and company were able to play some of the toughest foes in the Big Ten late in the season. That was more than enough, along with a 21-12 record to secure themselves a Nine-Seed, most likely in the West Region.
Indiana- Better Luck Next Year
It seemed like Indiana had done enough to make the NCAA Tournament and end their over two-year drought. Then they came out flat against Nick Martinelli and the Northwestern Wildcats. It’s a winning season at 18-14 for Darian DeVries in his first season in Bloomington, but all bracketologists this year have the Hoosiers not in the field of 68. Heck, even if they were on the bubble going into the Big Ten Tournament, they have certainly fallen well outside the Field.
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