Tip-off time for Michigan State’s first Big Ten Tournament game announced

The regular season came to a close on Sunday afternoon as Michigan State fell short against Michigan in Ann Arbor, completing the Wolverines’ season sweep.

With the loss, Michigan State went from the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament to the 3-seed, and that’s just fine because the Spartans are on the much more favorable side of the bracket. The loss did hurt because of the fact that it was a rivalry game and bragging rights mean a lot to Tom Izzo and the Spartans, but they have a chance to make it right this week.

The Big Ten Tournament ultimately doesn’t mean much for the Spartans because they’re a likely 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. There’s a slim chance that Michigan State slides up to a 1-seed, but that would only happen if Florida lost its first SEC Tournament game.

Michigan State earned a triple-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, meaning it won’t play until Friday, but the tip-off times were announced on Sunday following the conference’s final game.

Things will tip off on Tuesday as Oregon and Maryland face off followed by Northwestern vs. Penn State. Then we’ll get four secod-round games. That will then lead to four third-round games on Thursday before the quarterfinals on Friday with the top four seeds finally getting to play.

Michigan will play the first game on Friday at noon ET. Illinois will play 25 minutes after that first game — so probably 2:30-3 p.m. ET. Following that, there will be a short break and then Nebraska will face Purdue most likely at 6:30 p.m. ET. Michigan State’s game will then be 25 minutes after that one ends — that would likely set up an 9 p.m. ET start.

A 9 p.m. ET start on Friday night sounds about right for Michigan State around this time of year. If the Spartans win, they will likely play at around 3:30ish on Saturday afternoon. If they win that, they play at 3:30 p.m. ET on Selection Sunday.

Michigan State has a favorable draw

Michigan State earned itself a very favorable draw in the Big Ten Tournament, although Purdue being a 7-seed feels like a tough potential semifinal matchup. Michigan State is going to get the winner of UCLA vs. Rutgers/Minnesota. My money would be on the Bruins or Scarlet Knights.

I’ll admit, I don’t want to see Rutgers again just because it seems to have Michigan State’s number this year, and a win there does nothing and a loss hurts NCAA tourney seeding.

A win over UCLA would look good on the resume, beating a tournament team twice this year. They could then earn a rematch with either Nebraska or Purdue. I’d obviously prefer Nebraska because I think Michigan State is a better team and it can avenge an earlier loss from January.

Winning there would likely give the Spartans Illinois, Michigan, or Wisconsin. The championship game will be tough no matter who’s in it.

I like Michigan State’s draw, though.