Big Ten Tournament Bracket 2012: Ohio State Will Roll to Conference Title

The Buckeyes are the third seed in the Big Ten tournament, but in the end, they will be No. 1. The defending conference champions are likely headed for a matchup in the conference final against the Michigan State Spartans. This will be the rubber match between the two schools.

Before that can happen, both teams have a few tests to pass.

First up for the Buckeyes is the winner of the Purdue and Nebraska first-round matchup. The Boilermakers are favored to handle Nebraska, and I predict they will advance. Ohio State has already defeated Purdue, despite their 58-percent shooting from three in a February 7th clash.

The overmatched Boilermakers will need another performance like that to contend with Ohio State. This isn't likely to happen, and the overall talent advantage the Bucks have will overtake Purdue.

Expect the Boilermakers to shoot a percentage closer to the 36-percent clip they shot as a team for the entire season.

In their previous game, the Buckeyes pounded Purdue on the glass 31-21, and that was the difference.

With Jared Sullinger, Ohio State has a dominant inside presence that creates a need for double teams. That is where the Buckeyes shooters step in. Led by senior William Buford and sophomores Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft, the Buckeyes make 33 percent from distance.

Though the offense has been adequate, scoring 74 points per game, the Bucks hang their hats on the defensive end.

This will be the biggest reason they win the Big Ten tournament. 

Ohio State only allows 58 points per game this season, which is 10th in the nation. The stout defense, national player of the year candidate Sullinger and capable shooters makes the Bucks the best team in the Big Ten.

The final game against the Spartans will be a tough matchup, just as their regular-season finale was. In that game, the Bucks prevailed 72-70 in Lansing, and they will be victorious again in the conference championship.