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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 5, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) sings “Varsity” for the last time with his teammates after the game with the Minnesota Gophers at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 66-49. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) sings “Varsity” for the last time with his teammates after the game with the Minnesota Gophers at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Minnesota 66-49. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

Semifinals

No. 1 Purdue vs No. 4 Minnesota (Game 1)

Minnesota has been one of those teams to catch fire in the past couple of weeks. The Golden Gophers have gone from NCAA Tournament bubble residents to locks to get into the field and sitting just one spot outside the Top 25. However, they will face a crucial matchup against the Boilermakers where a win could do wonders for their seeding on Selection Sunday.

However, Purdue is just too strong in the post and the Golden Gophers are only one year removed from a disaster season. While they’re young and talented, the former description is the most important — young. Purdue’s post play is going to make all the difference, like it has all season long, and the Boilermakers will make a nice second-half comeback after falling behind early to head to the title game for the second straight year.

Final: Minnesota 68, Purdue 75

No. 2 Wisconsin vs No. 3 Maryland (Game 2)

Wisconsin limped to the finish line in the regular season, but the Badgers were still considered one of the favorites to win the Big Ten Tournament. They had a five-game losing streak before tearing apart Minnesota in the season finale and the Badgers’ confidence will boil over into their first conference tournament matchup against Indiana.

However, Maryland is playing with a lot of confidence lately and the Terrapins will take advantage of the down-on-their-luck Wisconsin Badgers. The Terrapins will hold Nigel Hayes in check and Ethan Happ will once again crumble when extra pressure is applied in the post. Limit those two and the Badgers have a tough time putting points on the board.

Final: Maryland 68, Wisconsin 65

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