Big Ten Tourney Preview

Eric Thomason

Correspondent Written on March 11, 2009

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 16: (L-R) Brian Butch #32 and Greg Stiemsma #34 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with the tournament championship trophy after their 61-48 win against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the Championship game of the Big Ten Men's B

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

When: Mar. 12-15

Where: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Outlook: Five teams (Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio State) are still trying to impress the committee in what should be the most competitive conference tournament.

All season long, teams have flip-flopped in the standings, as everyone in the conference proved they can be beat on any given night.

Bubble Burst

CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 02: David Lighty #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after being called for a foul against the Miami Hurricanes at BankUnited Center on December 2, 2008 in Coral Gables, Florida. Ohio State defeated Miami 73-68. (Photo by D

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin.

The Buckeyes have to win, while the Badgers need a victory to feel comfortable on Sunday.

Ohio State has struggled down the stretch without Lighty, while Wisconsin has rebounded from a six-game skid early in conference play.

Dark Horse

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Jon Scheyer #30 of the Duke Blue Devils goes to the basket between DeShawn Sims #34 and Manny Harris #3 of the Michigan Wolverines on November 21, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Michigan. The Wolverines have showed they can beat some of the better teams in college basketball (i.e. Duke, UCLA), and Harris and Simms give Michigan a chance to beat anyone in this conference.

Fresh off a big road victory over Minnesota on Saturday, Michigan could be primed to do some serious damage this weekend.

Upset Watch

INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Tom Crean of the Indiana Hoosiers pleads his case to a referee against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the Hartford Hall of Fame Showcase on December 6, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Gonzaga won 70-54. (Photo by Andy

Indiana. With nothing to lose, the Hoosiers will be playing loose at Conseco Fieldhouse.

If Penn State gets in trouble early, the home crowd could push Indiana to a victory.

Predicted Winner

DETROIT - DECEMBER 03: Delvon Roe #10 of the Michigan State Spartans listens to head coach Tom Izzo during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 3, 2008 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Michigan State. The Spartans have been the best team all season long and are trying to steal the final No. 1 seed from the Big XII.

I expect Tom Izzo and boys to mean business in Indianapolis this weekend.

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