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Big Ten Tournament 2017: Predicting the entire bracket by game

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 1, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20), guard Alvin Ellis III (3), guard Cassius Winston (5), forward Kenny Goins (25), and guard Miles Bridges (22) prepare to defend after a timeout during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Michigan State 73 to 70. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20), guard Alvin Ellis III (3), guard Cassius Winston (5), forward Kenny Goins (25), and guard Miles Bridges (22) prepare to defend after a timeout during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Michigan State 73 to 70. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20), guard Alvin Ellis III (3), guard Cassius Winston (5), forward Kenny Goins (25), and guard Miles Bridges (22) prepare to defend after a timeout during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Michigan State 73 to 70. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Champaign, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20), guard Alvin Ellis III (3), guard Cassius Winston (5), forward Kenny Goins (25), and guard Miles Bridges (22) prepare to defend after a timeout during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Illinois beat Michigan State 73 to 70. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 Big Ten Tournament is upon us and we do our best to predict each game of the bracket.

It’s that time of year again. The weather is getting warmer, the trees are beginning to sprout leaves and college basketball is in its wildest month. It’s March Madness, ladies and gentlemen. But first, we must get through the Big Ten Tournament to get to the real action in the Big Dance.

There are plenty of tournament hopefuls in the Big Ten and only a handful of teams locked into the field. It’s a much different feeling than in years past where 8-10 Big Ten teams would get in easily, but the conference would be lucky to have eight this season.

We are going to do our best to predict the results of the Big Ten Tournament bracket by game. Take a look at the Big Ten Tournament bracket here:

On that note, here is the FanSided.com printable Big Ten Tournament bracket for your own filling out pleasure: Big Ten Tournament bracket.

First Round (March 8)

No. 13 Penn State vs No. 12 Nebraska (Game 1)

Nebraska has been an absolute disaster lately. In fact, the Cornhuskers ended the season on a four-game losing streak and losing 12-of-15 games overall to end the year. On that same note, Penn State has struggled as well, ending the year on a five-game losing streak and losing 10-of-13 overall. This is going to be a battle of bottom-dwellers.

Penn State, in my opinion, has just too much young talent for Nebraska to overcome for a second time this season. The Cornhuskers won the first matchup, but the Nittany Lions will figure out a way to slow down Tai Webster and Tony Carr will have a big game.

Final: Penn State 73, Nebraska 64

No. 14 Rutgers vs No. 11 Ohio State (Game 2)

What a forgettable season it’s been for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights did just about double their win total from last season, but they still have a long way to go in order to be relevant in conference play. Ohio State, on the other hand, had a disappointing season but the Buckeyes are much stronger than the Scarlet Knights in just about every facet.

Corey Sanders will go off for 21 points against the Buckeyes, but it will be veteran-led Ohio State that gets the last laugh. The Buckeyes will get hot from 3-point range and bury the hapless Scarlet Knights, hoping that they can make a deep tourney run and push for the NCAA field (with an improbable Big Ten tourney title).

Final: Rutgers 57, Ohio State 70

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