With one regular-season game remaining for each team, the Big Ten Tournament picture is almost set. While Saturday and Sunday’s games could still shuffle a few spots, the bracket will likely look something close to this mock-up I created when the tournament tips off Tuesday at the United Center.
Most of the remaining movement will most likely happen near the bottom of the standings, where teams are still jockeying for positioning in the opening round. But a couple of games this weekend could still impact
the top of the bracket, including where Illinois lands.
One of the biggest is Saturday’s matchup between Purdue and Wisconsin at Mackey Arena. If Wisconsin pulls the upset, the Badgers would likely move into the No. 4 seed, while Purdue would drop to No. 5.
What It Means for Illinois
Right now, the Illini are most likely headed toward the No. 4 seed, which would place them on the same side of the bracket as Michigan. Unless Illinois absolutely self-destructs and, by some chance, loses to a 17-seed Maryland on Sunday. In that scenario, Illinois’ path to a Big Ten Tournament title would likely run through Purdue in the quarterfinals and then a Michigan team that just dismantled the Illini last week.
And that would only be the start. Waiting on the other side of the bracket could be Nebraska or Michigan State. A more manageable undertaking than Michigan, and one in which I feel confident in Illinois’ chances. However, both teams have beaten the Illini this year.
The one way Illinois could avoid that path is by sliding into the No. 3 seed. For that to happen, Nebraska would need to lose to Iowa this weekend. Iowa nearly knocked off Michigan in its most recent game, losing by just three points and having a chance to tie at the buzzer.
For Illinois, the difference between the No. 3 and No. 4 seed could be significant. I know it may be tough, Illini fans, we should all be rooting for Iowa to pull off the upset.
What Say You?
My question to you guys is:
How big a difference does it make if Illinois were to receive the 3-seed instead of the 4-seed? What is your prediction for the Illini in each?
And beyond Michigan and Illinois, is there another team in the conference that could realistically make a run and win the Big Ten Tournament?
