Big Ten Championship Game

Purdue vs. Michigan | 3:30 PM Central | CBS | Purdue -5.0

Michigan Wolverines [5]

27-7 | 13-5 Conference | KenPom 9 | RPI 16

How they got here: Bye, Beat Iowa 77-71 (OT), Beat Nebraska 77-58, Beat MSU 75-64

NCAA Implications: Seeding, sorta

Purdue Boilermakers [2]

28-5 | 15-3 Conference | KenPom 5 | RPI 8

How they got here: Double Bye, Beat Rutgers 82-75, Beat Penn State 78-70

NCAA Implications: Seeding, definitely

What does it all mean:

Michigan took down Michigan State to battle from the second day of the tournament to here. While both teams are firmly in the NCAA tournament - thus protecting any bubble team from too much madness - seeding is still in play. With a win, Purdue could sneak themselves into a top line seed. On the other hand, Michigan is playing for as high a seed as possible at this point, with a 4 not completely out of the question depending on how things play out. I’m not convinced either of those things are happening, but this is where you show the committee how good you are.

Jesse’s unsolicited prediction: It’s hard to play three games, much less four games, in as many days. I’m going to pick Purdue in a really close game because they have an incredible inside game and athleticism to run Michigan off their game early. Let’s say something crazy like 79-75.

Consider this your open thread. Be nice to one another.