2009 Big Ten Tournament: Can Anyone Stop Michigan State?

In this year's Big Ten Tournament, let's examine the first round games and try to shake out who'll come out on top when all is said and done.

(Note: all "No." values are each school's seed in the Big Ten Tournament only.)

First Round (begins Thursday, March 12)

No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 9 Northwestern, 12 p.m.

No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 10 Iowa, 2:30 p.m.

No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Indiana, 5 p.m.

No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Ohio State (Friday, 2:30 p.m.)

No. 2 Illinois, No. 3 Purdue, and top-seeded Michigan State all get first-round byes.

In predicting how the tournament will go, it's safe to assume Michigan State will win by a long shot. No one can stop this Big Ten powerhouse. They are fast, strong, agile, and they can shoot and can play great defense.

The other teams are just on the side. Everyone knows Michigan State will win and they will win with great force. Count on Coach Tom Izzo to get his team ready for this NCAA Tournament tune-up.

The biggest threat to Michigan State's run is Purdue. Purdue is faster than Michigan State, but they can not shoot as well as the Spartans. The Boilermakers can, however, stick with the Spartans running up and down the court.

Purdue can also play just as well on the defensive side of the ball, but the shooting difference could be their downfall.

Look for MSU to make a big run at the Big Ten title and for the Spartans to be a threat going into the Big Dance.

Remember, anything can happen. College basketball is unpredictable, and for all we know,  Indiana could even make a run at the title.