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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; Evanston, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vincent Edwards (12) celebrates with center Isaac Haas (44) during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vincent Edwards (12) celebrates with center Isaac Haas (44) during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Championship Game (No. 1 Purdue vs No. 3 Maryland)

Not exactly the championship game everyone was expecting at the beginning of the season, but both Maryland and Purdue are very deserving of making a run to the final game of the conference tournament.

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Maryland finished the season on a high note, beating Michigan State on a last-second 3-pointer by Melo Trimble and you’re going to see the confidence of the point guard increase with every game. He’s going to have big games against Northwestern, Wisconsin and in the title game versus Purdue.

Luckily for the Terrapins, the Boilermakers’ guard situation is not at Trimble’s level. The Boilermakers have some solid passers and defenders, but it’ll be tough to slow down the junior point guard, especially since this may be his last chance at capturing a conference tourney title.

On the other hand, the Boilermakers are just too big down low. The combination of Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas will cause matchup nightmares for the young Terrapins and those two are going to avenge last season’s Big Ten Championship loss to Michigan State with a nice victory over the third-seeded Terrapins.

Related Story: MSU Basketball: 5 bold predictions for the Big Ten Tournament

The game will be close early, but expect Purdue to close the door late in the game thanks to Swanigan’s 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Final: Maryland 71, Purdue 81

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