Big Ten Bracketology: What’s at stake in the Big Ten Tournament?

Wondering what’s at stake today and throughout the Big Ten Tournament? Every team left is projected as in the Dance, but for some—looking at Michigan State on the men’s side—it’s a matter of seeing how far they slide, for others—looking at Iowa on the women’s side—it’s a matter of how far a run in the tourney could take them.

Here’s where we’re at:

Big Ten Bracketology — Men’s

• Likely foes for Michigan after they handle the Hawks? Lunardi says Missouri or Clemson, Palm says Colorado or North Carolina. Of those, if I’m a Wolverine, I’m looking for the Buffs—because hooboy, what I saw of that action last night in the Pac-12 Tournament was...well, it was sure basketball.

• For Illinois? Well, let’s first stop to offer a hearty fuck-you to the Summit League Tournament champions’ namesake, Oral Roberts. After that, it’s looking like Florida or Virginia Tech (Lunardi), BYU or Wichita State Shockers (Palm). I...uh...BYU, I guess? I’d love to see Kofi Cockburn eat Matt Haarms alive. Haarms would go down adjusting his hair the whole way.

• Might as well do the same for Iowa, huh? Hiding behind the Vikings, in Lunardi’s estimation, are Oklahoma and Georgia Tech—though we’ll see what happens with the Yellow Jackets now that they’re in the ACC Tournament final after Virginia dropped out with COVID issues. Palm subs in Texas Tech for the Sooners, and seeing Iowa fans collectively explode over having to face Beardball would be...it’d be something.

• While Virginia needs to show seven straight negative daily tests before getting to the NCAA Tournament in Indianapolis, it...could still happen? Their uncertainly likely fits Purdue even tighter into their 4-seed, unless the Boilers have a Big Ten Tourney run in them...
• Speaking of, one would be helpful for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who I personally would have no problem dropping onto a 3-line for...oh, why not Kansas? (Probably Arkansas, more likely, but who knows...)
• Who the hell knows with the wisconsin badgers, who have been a high-variance club in bracketology all winter—I’m more in the Palm estimation not just because I hate everything wisconsin stands for, but also because that just doesn’t look like a 6-seed. They’re the same flawed 7-, 8-, or 9-spot that a Texas Tech or Florida is.
• I will not watch Rutgers against either Loyola or San Diego State. Dear God, who hates themselves that much?
• Locking Maryland into a 10 unless they can get by Michigan today? Feels fair.
• I will go to the grave insisting Michigan State Spartans is not a tournament team this year, but it’s just more of a chance for people to accuse me of cheering for some random team. They oughta be an 11-seed, and hopefully someone random wins the Pac-12 or SEC Tournament and slots them in that spot for good.

NIT Talkers

• I will have some of what Joe Stunardi & Co. over at The Barking Crow are having, because the idea of a Penn State-Indiana rematch in the NIT would just be delightful.
• There’s no way an almost-upset of the Buckeyes is enough to save Minnesota’s Richard Pitino, is there? ...would an NIT run do anything to change your mind?

Big Ten Bracketology — Women’s

I don’t have as much to note on women’s bracketology, in part because Creme et al don’t appear to be seeding the various “regions”—Alamo, Hemisfair, River Walk, Mercado—by 1, 2, 3, 4 standards, and I can’t be bothered to learn who, after UConn, is the next-best 1-seed.

• Maryland looks pretty comfortable as a 2-seed unless something goes wrong with Northwestern today. Winning likely keeps them in the Texas A&M region, which I assume is better than UConn’s region.
• That tough loss for Indiana Hoosiers cost them, with the Hoosiers falling to a 4-seed in ESPN’s estimation.
• No such hurt for Rutgers, as Iowa got a boost from that win, while the Knights look secure as a 5-seed.
• I’m generally cool with Northwestern hanging onto that 6-seed, and with the upset of Michigan they shouldn’t fall to a 7—no idea on if UCLA is good as the 3-seed in their region, but staying away from the 1s and 2s for as long as possible is a good way to see a Sweet 16.
• See above for Michigan. I’m sure falling from 5 to 6 isn’t ideal, but the only functional difference appears to be an average P5 school instead of a mid-major champion. To be honest, I’d take the P5 grab-bag over whatever weirdness you’ll get from, say, a South Dakota or a Stephen F. Austin.
• Merchant’s Marines were already in the Dance, but...they actually played their way onto a 9-line with that win over Indiana. And, according to Creme...that means UConn in Round 2. Fun!

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