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Michigan State Basketball: Predicting each round of 2018 Big Ten Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 13: Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Isaiah Livers #4 of the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on January 13, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Second Round (March 1)

No. 9 Wisconsin vs. No. 8 Maryland (Noon ET)

Wisconsin is playing its best basketball of the season but its too little, too late. Maryland, on the other hand, has been struggling in recent weeks. This game will be much more of the same trend for both teams as Brad Davison and the Badgers will roll to a nice win, advancing to the quarterfinals. Ethan Happ, too, will have a strong showing, but the game will feel closer because of the one-man show known as Anthony Cowan.

Final Score: Wisconsin 71, Maryland 64

No. 13 Illinois vs. No. 5 Michigan (approx. 2:25 p.m. ET)

Another team that’s rolling right now is Michigan and Illinois gets the unfortunate task of trying to stop the train. John Beilein has a talented team at his disposal that’s about a year ahead of schedule but the Wolverines have one thing in mind and that’s winning a second straight conference tournament title. Illinois will be no match for the Wolverines as they roll to an easy victory.

Final Score: Illinois 60, Michigan 78

No. 10 Northwestern vs. No. 7 Penn State (6:30 p.m. ET)

Like Minnesota, Northwestern’s season began with it ranked in the AP Top 25 only to stumble time after time out of the polls. Now, the Wildcats need to win the conference tourney in order to make their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Too bad they have to face a hungry Penn State team which is looking to make a run in order to earn an at-large bid. The Nittany Lions just have too much athleticism for the Wildcats, giving them the advantage.

Final Score: Northwestern 68, Penn State 75

No. 11 Minnesota vs. No. 6 Indiana (approx. 8:55 p.m. ET)

Minnesota’s hopeful run in the Big Ten Tournament will come to an end before the quarterfinal as Indiana will await the Gophers in round two. The Hoosiers have also been playing solid of late and that’s going to spell the end of the Gophers’ season, unless they make the NIT or CBI tournaments. Indiana, led by the talented Juwan Morgan, will score with ease and the Gophers will look demoralized. What a fall from grace this team has had in 2017-18.

Final Score: Minnesota 67, Indiana 80

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