It’s Wednesday folks and the Big Ten Tournament is in full swing. Right now we are already on day two of this tournament with three games in the books. We’ve already got winners folks. What we don’t yet have is the knowledge of who Purdue will play in their game tomorrow evening. Keeping that in mind, I’ve asked the staff to tell me how far Purdue will get, and give me their Big Ten Tournament champion. Specifically, to be fair, this is what I sent them: Give me two predictions for the BTT. How far does
Purdue go? Who is in and wins the championship?
Ledman:
Not knowing Purdue’s opponent is a real disadvantage here, but posting this tomorrow would hardly give anyone time to read it before we all get too hyperfocused on Purdue’s game. So, going into this blind, I’m going to say that Purdue wins just one game in the Big Ten Tournament. I like Purdue’s odds away from Mackey Arena against either Northwestern or Indiana. A third game against Indiana would obviously be fun but playing a Northwestern team that would be on their third game in three days could also give Purdue an advantage. That didn’t work a few years back when the Big Ten Tournament was in DC and Purdue played what I thought would be a tired Michigan team given they had flight trouble and had played the previous day. Assuming I’m remembering all that right. However, given the inconsistency of this team it’s hard for me to believe in them fully right now. I’ll have a bigger look at my expectations after Selection Sunday.
As far the champion, how can you not go with Michigan? They dominated the entire Big Ten season and I have no reason not to believe that they will do the same in this tournament. Could they lose? It’s possible, anything is possible, but I don’t see it as likely.
Kyle:
Purdue makes it to the semi finals and then gets beat.
Its a weird dynamic that we play better away from Mackey, but its just factual at this point..
Who wins it all? Michigan. There is no reason to pick anyone else. They look like the future national champion.
Travis:
Call it a coping mechanism, but I am fully on board with “Purdue is a better team away from home” this year. I think we got a very favorable path, too. First off, Purdue needs to win its first game, especially if it is against Indiana. Losing tot he Hoosiers when you already split the season series (and dominated them in MAckey) is paramount. If it is Penn State or Northwestern you’re getting a tired team on its third game in three days. Take care of business.
Next is Nebraska, a team you dominated for 37 minutes (the final 3 of regulation were problematic). Then probably a Michigan State team that you lost a toss-up game too. I think Purdue makes it at least to the semifinals if not the final, but if Michigan awaits there we’re toast. Give me Michigan over us in the final.
Ryan:
I’m really trying not to say that Purdue will win 4 games as a big f-you to the rest of the league. I personally don’t think Michigan will let that happen. I do however think Purdue got an incredibly favorable draw and will take down the combo of Penn State / Northwestern / IU (I think it will be IU), then beat Nebraska on a neutral court before winning their last game to MSU or UCLA (revenge game). Unfortunately, I think Purdue’s luck ends there as Michigan wins the BTT and beats the Boilermakers. I would be quite pleased with those results though.
Jed:
1: I think Purdue wins their first two games but struggles against an MSU team that can lock them up defensively & do enough offensively with Fears to win a game in the low 70’s. Two games isn’t bad but would definitely leave a bit of a sour taste in everyone’s mouth…but that’s been par for the course this year.
2: UM vs. MSU and it’ll be UM’s title. Not sold on UM winning the national championship because I think someone will eventually get Mara in foul trouble enough that they drop a game.
