The regular season is over! Congratulations to Michigan State on winning the Big Ten regular season title. Now, let’s move on to the postseason and see where the whole Big Ten stands going into Wednesday’s games and what my picks are for the tournament. Well, not the whole Big Ten. Sorry to Nebraska, Penn State, and Washington. There’s always next year.

Game 1: Northwestern (+27,000 to win the Big Ten) vs Minnesota (+27,000)

This is the first of two games not to feature a team that could make the NCAA tournament without winning the conference tournament. Don’t expect an NC State run from either of these teams. Northwestern is favored and leads Minnesota in most metric-based standings. However, Minnesota has seven Quad 1 wins compared to Northwestern’s 3. I would pick Minnesota (+120) here.

Game 2: Iowa (+30,000) vs Ohio State (+5,000)

Ohio State really needs to win this game even to have a chance at making the NCAA tournament. Iowa has had a very disappointing season, and I don’t see that changing. The only win of note they had in the Big Ten was against Indiana. Back when they were floundering. I am going to side with Ohio State (-205) and risk the wrath of Fran McCaffery in this one.

Game 3: Rutgers (+20,000) vs USC (+19,000)

Another game featuring bad Big Ten teams. Like before, do not expect a run from either of these teams. However, I would expect this to be a much more entertaining game. The teams are very evenly matched and had a high-scoring affair in their one meeting this year. I lean towards Rutgers (-108) in a tightly matched game.

Game 4: Indiana (4,000) vs Oregon (+1,600)

This is the first game on Thursday. Indiana was able to win key games down the stretch and place itself firmly on the bubble. Oregon, on the other hand, was hot to end the season and is looking to make a run in its first Big Ten tournament. If Indiana loses, consider them on the edge of consideration for the NCAA tournament. For that reason, I believe they have more to play for, and they will upset the Ducks (+114).

Game 5: Northwestern/Minnesota vs Wisconsin (+650)

Wisconsin will be a heavy favorite here, no matter who they face. Nolan Winter and Max Klesmit are both projected to be back in action, so expect a return to form from Greg Gard’s team. Should they win this game, the floor of their NCAA seeding rises to a 4, while if they lose, a 5 seed is not out of the question. For the love of my sanity, please let the Badgers win. I can’t take another 12-5 upset.

Game 6: Iowa/Ohio State vs Illinois (+750)

Ohio State needs to win here in order to feel comfortable in terms of making the NCAA Tournament. However, Illinois is peaking at the right time. It turns out when the best team (on paper) doesn’t have the flu, they can be pretty damn good. I expect Illinois to blow out whoever they play on Thursday, possibly ending Ohio State’s at-large bid.

Game 7: USC/Rutgers vs Purdue (+700)

While Purdue has had an up-and-down end to the season, they still have the BTPOY in Braden Smith. USC and Rutgers may be fun teams, but I don’t expect them to give Purdue any problems Thursday night. Expect another blowout here.

Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs Mich St (+250)

There are hot teams in the Big Ten. And then there’s Michigan State. They are on a 7 game winning streak that included games against Michigan twice, Wisconsin, Maryland, Purdue, and Illinois. Oregon’s 7 game winning streak, on the other hand, was primarily against the bottom half of the Big Ten. Oregon or Indiana could put up a fight against Michigan State, but my bet is on Michigan State to come out on top.

Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs UCLA (+750)

Wisconsin should have a chance to start avenging some of their losses starting Friday. I’m expecting at least one avenging win with a healthy roster and less of a reliance on Steven Crowl to win games. If Winter and Crowl can contain Mara, UCLA’s big man, then Tonje can have a career game yet again against UCLA. This time, a win. It’ll help the Badgers that UCLA will be in the Eastern Time Zone.

Game 10: Game 6 Winner vs Maryland (+370)

This is my pick for the most entertaining game of the entire tournament (assuming Illinois wins Game 6). Illinois is finally healthy and hot. On the other hand, Maryland is arguably hotter. Their only blemish in the past month has been an insane buzzer-beater by Michigan State to beat them at home. I’d bet on Maryland to win a close game.

Game 11: Game 7 Winner vs Michigan (+1600)

Michigan has started to fall apart at the wrong time, and the odds here reflect that. Purdue, while lower ranked, will surely be the favorite in this Friday night game. Congrats to Dusty May on getting a double bye in his first season as Michigan’s head coach, but unfortunately, that’s where I think the congratulations will end.

Games 12, 13, and 14: Semis and Finals

With my current picks, I have Wisconsin vs Michigan State and Purdue vs Maryland in the semifinals. I expect Michigan State to beat Wisconsin and Maryland to beat Purdue. For the finals, my pick is Maryland to hit a buzzer beater as time expires to upset Michigan State. Hopefully, SVP will be in attendance for that one.

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