Big Ten Tourney Preview

We’re looking down from the Cheap Seats at the bracket that will be played out in Chicago’s United Center between March 8 and March 11. The seeds have worked out to give us some really solid matchups and we could get a couple of surprises. That said, here’s what I think of the Big Ten Tournament (blank bracket from bigten.cstv.com):



The outcome of this bracket comes down to one very simple truth: Ohio State is really good. On a neutral floor, I don’t think any Big Ten team can stop them unless Greg Oden’s leg falls off. Michigan already had their shot and blew it, which is a trend that will continue on Friday. Purdue is close, but not close enough to OSU’s level. Indiana falls into the same boat as Purdue on that one.

The major surprise of this bracket is the quarterfinal game between Michigan State and Wisconsin. My reasoning here is easy: Michigan State was 3.9 seconds and a hell of a Kammron Taylor 3-point basket away from upsetting Wisconsin in Madison. Michigan State, specifically Drew Neitzel, really want to make a run into the postseason. On the flip side, Wisconsin lost its best inside presence in Brian Butch and his dislocated elbow. MSU’s inside of Suton and Naymick will force UW to win from the outside, and I don’t think they can do that. It will be another thriller, but with Sparty coming out on top this time.

The problem that Wisconsin will have on the inside should not translate to Michigan State's subsequent game against Indiana. If you want the details of that, check "Indiana vs Illinois, Round 3". Also, on the outside, Michigan State's shooting comes almost exclusively from Drew Neitzel. MSU has some impressive freshmen, but they're freshmen. Most of Indiana's outside shooting comes from fifth-year senior Rod Wilmont and junior AJ Ratliff, with junior Lance Stemler and senior Earl Calloway providing a few shots here and there. The only freshman that IU relies on is Armon Bassett. This is a simple matter of experience overcoming potential and translating to victories.