Big Ten Tournament 2023: Preview, Predictions and Men's Players to Watch

Purdue is the best team in the Big Ten, and Minnesota is the worst.

That's about all that's been decided heading into the final weekend of the conference's 2022-23 regular season.

The standings read more like a gauntlet, which is absolutely how the upcoming conference tournament shapes up. Before the schools close out their regular-season campaigns and take off for Chicago's United Center, we'll help set the stage with updated standings, scheduling info, tournament predictions and a few players to watch.

Current Standings

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 26: Kobe Bufkin #2 and Joey Baker #15 of the Michigan Wolverines react after Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines made a shot that forced the game into overtime against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half at Crisler Arena on February 26, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Big Ten Standings

Purdue: 14-5

Iowa: 11-8

Maryland: 11-8

Indiana: 11-8

Illinois: 11-8

Michigan: 11-8

Northwestern: 11-8

Michigan State: 10-8

Rutgers: 10-9

Penn State: 9-10

Nebraska: 8-11

Wisconsin: 8-11

Ohio State: 5-14

Minnesota: 2-16

Tournament Schedule

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COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Jahmir Young #1 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Xfinity Center on February 26, 2023 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

First Round: Wednesday, March 8

Game 1: No. 13 seed vs. No. 12 seed, 6:30 p.m. ET

Game 2: No. 14 seed vs. No. 11 seed, 25 minutes after Game 1

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Second Round: Thursday, March 9

Game 3: No. 9 seed vs. No. 8 seed, 12 p.m. ET

Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. No. 5 seed, 25 minutes after Game 3

Game 5: No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed, 6:30 p.m. ET

Game 6: Game 2 winner vs. No. 6 seed, 25 minutes after Game 5

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Quarterfinals: Friday, March 10

Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 seed, 12 p.m. ET

Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. No. 4 seed, 25 minutes after Game 7

Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. No. 2 seed, 6:30 p.m. ET

Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. No. 3 seed, 25 minutes after Game 9

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Semifinals: Saturday, March 11

Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1 p.m. ET

Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 25 minutes after Game 11

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Championship: Sunday, March 12

Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 3:30 p.m. ET

Predictions

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 23: Jalen Pickett #22 of the Penn State Nittany Lions drives the ball to the hoop during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Jerome Schottenstein Center on February 23, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. Penn State defeated Ohio State 75-71. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Iowa Doesn't Repeat

The Hawkeyes won this tournament last year, but history won't repeat itself. Iowa no longer has the same offensive oomph, and the defensive question marks that surrounded that squad have only grown more glaring this time around.

The Hawks could shoot their way to a win or two, but they won't make it to the finish line.

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Purdue Gets Bounced Before the Championship Game

The Boilermakers looked unbeatable for much of this season, but their invincibility has worn off in recent weeks. Purdue sprinted to a 22-1 start, but it has gone just 3-4 since, and one of those wins was Thursday's two-point squeaker over Wisconsin.

Maybe the conference tournament proves to be the ultimate get-right setting for this squad, but the last month wouldn't lead you to believe that a conference tournament championship is in the cards.

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Jalen Pickett Leads Penn State To Tournament Title

If you aren't already familiar with the name Jalen Pickett, you will be by next week.

Penn State's senior guard has engineered a phenomenal season that impresses both with volume and efficiency. In addition to tallying per-game averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists, he's also posting a 52.6/38.8/78.8 shooting slash and giving up just 2.1 turnovers in 36.1 minutes per game. He'll summon enough magical moments to send the Nittany Lions to a title.

Players To Watch

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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 19: Kris Murray #24 of the Iowa Hawkeyes brings the ball up the court in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 19, 2023 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Zach Edey, Purdue

Edey intrigued over his first two seasons with Purdue, but everything has come together during the 7'4" center's junior campaign. He'll be plenty busy when national player of the year awards are handed out.

Entering Thursday night, he was averaging a conference-best 22.3 points, plus 12.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He's a walking double-double with enough juice to pour in 30-plus points any given night.

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Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana

Jackson-Davis is about as productive as it gets in this conference. He holds top-three Big Ten averages in points (20.3, third), rebounds (11.1, second) and blocks (2.8, first), and he still finds time to dish out 3.8 assists per outing.

The 6'9", 245-pounder doesn't venture past the perimeter—he has attempted (and missed) three three-point shots in his four-year career—but that might be the lone weakness in an otherwise well-rounded skill set.

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Kris Murray, Iowa

Murray's twin brother, Keegan (now a Sacramento King), dazzled in this tournament last season, and Kris could do the same.

He resembles his brother in more than appearance. He can score from anywhere, leaves an imprint on the glass and holds his own defensively. He could easily lead this tournament in scoring.