College Basketball: Predicting Each Big Ten Team's Final Record

If the past two nights have taught us anything, it is that any Big Ten team can win or lose on any given night. And this is shaping up to be one heck of a conference race.

As it stands right now, Indiana holds a one game lead on Michigan State and Wisconsin.

How will this whole thing play out when it is all said and done?

Let's find out right here as we go ahead and predict the final record of every team in the Big Ten Conference.

Bleacher Report Style!

Illinois

Current Overall Record: 20-9

Current Big Ten Record: 7-8

Remaining Schedule: March 2 vs. Nebraska, March 5 @ Iowa, March 10 @ Ohio State

Prediction: 21-11 (8-10)

Why: Illinois will win its next game at home against Nebraska and will drop their final game in Columbus against Ohio State. The real question comes in that sandwich game on Tuesday at Iowa.

Illinois has a 3-4 mark on the road in conference games, but Iowa City isn't an easy place to play. In fact: The Hawkeyes have already taken down both Minnesota and Wisconsin at home this season, showing how tough this team can be on their own home court.

If Illinois beats Iowa at home and has a good showing in the Big Ten Tournament, that should be enough for an NCAA Tournament birth, but I just don't see it happening.

Indiana

Current Overall Record: 24-4

Current Big Ten Record: 12-3

Remaining Schedule: March 2 vs. Iowa, March 5 vs. Ohio State, March 10 @ Michigan

Prediction: 27-4 (15-3)

Why: This weekend's matchup against Iowa should be no problem for the Hoosiers, but you can't say the same for the two following games against Ohio State and Michigan.

The Hoosiers already took down Ohio State in Columbus earlier this month. This makes me believe that they should take care of business on their home court, although it certainly won't come easy.

That leaves the showdown with Michigan in Ann Arbor on March 10. It's fitting that this game is the final tilt of the Big Ten regular season.

Indiana slipped by Michigan when these two teams met in early February. However, this one could have a share of the Big Ten Championship on the line. Two weeks ago, I would have given the Wolverines a slight edge here, but this is a Michigan team that is crumbling at the wrong time of the year. Because of that—Indiana wins out and captures the Big Ten regular season title.

Iowa

Current Overall Record: 18-10

Current Big Ten Record: 7-8

Remaining Schedule: March 2 @ Indiana, March 5 vs. Illinois, March 9 vs. Nebraska

Prediction: 20-11 (8-10)

Why: As mentioned earlier, Iowa is a tough team to beat on their own home court. Playing three of their final four games at home will help their NCAA chances.

Don't be surprised to see Iowa win both of those final home matchups, with a loss on March 2 at Indiana sprinkled in there. Closing out the season on a high note and clinching 20 wins would put this Iowa team in a great spot heading into the Big Ten Tournament.

With a win or two in the tournament, this could be a NCAA tourney-bound team.

Michigan

Current Overall Record: 23-5

Current Big Ten Record: 10-5

Remaining Schedule: March 3 vs. Michigan State, March 6 @ Purdue, March 10 vs. Indiana

Prediction: 24-7 (11-7)

Why: Michigan had an epic collapse last night against Penn State. The loss essentially took the Wolverines out of the running for a Big Ten regular season title and a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

This team has a huge matchup this weekend against a Michigan State team that absolutely pounded the Wolverines in East Lansing two weeks ago. Coming off of two back-to-back losses, look for the Spartans to be ready for this one and take down the Wolverines for the second time this season.

Michigan won't go out easy though as the Wolverines bounce back and find a way to get it done with a narrow win over Purdue in West Lafayette. Then comes the much-anticipated home matchup against Indiana. The Wolverines have been great at home this season, but this isn't the same team we saw in January. Michigan drops the final home game of the season as Indiana captures the Big Ten regular season title and locks up a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State

Current Overall Record: 22-6

Current Big Ten Record: 11-4

Remaining Schedule: March 3 @ Michigan, March 7 vs. Wisconsin, March 10 vs. Northwestern

Prediction: 25-6 (14-4)

Why: Tom Izzo's club has two huge games coming up at Michigan and at home against Wisconsin, before closing out the season against Northwestern.

Playing in Ann Arbor is no easy task, but the Wolverines have been stumbling as of late and have dropped four of their last seven conference games. After a 23-point blowout win over the Wolverines earlier this month, its hard to bet against the Spartans in this matchup, especially with the huge advantage they have down low in the paint.

The Spartans matchup against Wisconsin will be a tough one as well, but the Badgers are just 4-3 on the road in conference play this season, while the Spartans are 6-1 in Big Ten games played at the Breslin Center. Wisconsin has been playing well as of late, but you have to give the advantage to the home team in this classic Big Ten clash.

Michigan State closes out the season with a home win over Northwestern to finish 14-4 in Big Ten play, inching their way closer to a No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Minnesota

Current Overall Record: 19-9

Current Big Ten Record: 7-8

Remaining Schedule: March 2 vs. Penn State, March 6 @ Nebraska, March 9 @ Purdue

Prediction: 22-9 (10-8)

Why: It would be tough to find another team throughout the entire country that has as favorable a schedule to close out the conference season as Minnesota does.

The Gophers close out against the bottom of the Big Ten, playing home against Penn State this weekend and then at Nebraska and Purdue to close out the regular season.

If Minnesota can close out the season 3-0 in those final games, which they should be able to do, that should stamp the Gophers' ticket to the big dance.

Nebraska

Current Overall Record: 13-15

Current Big Ten Record: 4-11

Remaining Schedule: March 2 @ Illinois, March 6 vs. Minnesota, March 9 @ Iowa

Prediction: 13-18 (4-14)

Why: This is a young Nebraska team that closes out the season against three teams fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament field.

Look for the Huskers to compete in all three of these contests, but it's tough to really see where a win would come with matchups at Illinois, home against Minnesota and at Iowa.

Nebraska will likely play one of those three teams again in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Northwestern

Current Overall Record: 13-15

Current Big Ten Record: 4-11

Remaining Schedule: February 28 vs. Ohio State, March 7 vs. Penn State, March 10 @ Michigan State

Prediction: 14-17 (5-13)

Why: Northwestern has been arguably the most unlucky team in the country this season with the massive amount of injuries they have had to deal with.

Playing at half strength, the Wildcats will close out the season at home against Ohio State and Penn State, before traveling to East Lansing for a March 10 matchup against Tom Izzo's impressive Michigan State team.

Northwestern simply doesn't have the talent or depth to hang with Ohio State and MSU. However, they should be able to notch a home win against Penn State on March 7. If healthy, this Northwestern team could be in the middle of the pact of this talented Big Ten conference.

Ohio State

Current Overall Record: 20-7

Current Big Ten Record: 10-5

Remaining Schedule: February 28 @ Northwestern, March 5 @ Indiana, March 10 vs. Illinois

Prediction: 22-8 (12-6)

Why: There is no doubt about it, Ohio State is the most difficult team to figure out in the Big Ten.

When this team is at it's best—it can beat anyone in the country. When this team is off, they look like an average college basketball team that could very easily get bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Buckeyes are coming off two impressive home wins against Minnesota and Michigan State. They should notch another win under their belts when they take on Northwestern tonight.

Traveling to Bloomington will be no easy task. If the Buckeyes can win that final matchup at home against Illinois, that should push this team to 22 wins and a solid shot at a top-five seeding in this year's NCAA Tournament.

Penn State

Current Overall Record: 9-18

Current Big Ten Record: 1-14

Remaining Schedule: March 2 @ Minnesota, March 7 @ Northwestern, March 10 vs. Wisconsin

Prediction: 9-21 (1-17)

Why: After arguably the most unforeseen upset in college basketball this season—a stunning 84-78 win over No. 4-ranked Michigan—the Penn State Nittany Lions now officially have a Big Ten win under their belt.

Can they keep it going?

Penn State closes the season out with road games at Minnesota and Northwestern, before finishing up at home against Wisconsin. I would say that all three games should be loses for Penn State, but after yesterday's upset, who knows, right?

In all reality, Minnesota and Wisconsin should be long shots, but that March 7 game at Northwestern should be the Nittany Lions' best shot at another conference win. I'll give a slight edge to Northwestern, but it will be a close game that could come down to the final possession.

This is a Penn State team that continues to improve and get better.

Purdue

Current Overall Record: 13-15

Current Big Ten Record: 6-9

Remaining Schedule: March 3 @ Wisconsin, March 6 vs. Michigan, March 9 vs. Minnesota

Prediction: 13-18 (6-12)

Why: Purdue has really struggled this season, and it's not going to get any easier for the Boilermakers down the stretch.

Matt Painter's team closes out the year with matchups against Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota—all NCAA Tournament-bound teams.

Winning in Madison has become near impossible as of late. Home matchups against Michigan and Minnesota should be competitive, but the Wolverines and Gophers are just simply more talented than this young Purdue team.

Put it all together, and that results in a 6-12 Big Ten finish for the Boliermakers this season.

Wisconsin

Current Overall Record: 20-8

Current Big Ten Record: 11-4

Remaining Schedule: March 3 vs. Purdue, March 7 @ Michigan State, March 10 @ Penn State

Prediction: 22-9 (13-5)

Why: Wisconsin has been as hot as any team in the nation as of late, well, besides those pesky Akron Zips. The Badgers have won six of their last seven games, including impressive home wins against Michigan and Ohio State.

Bo Ryan's team probably has the most favorable schedule of the three teams left in contention for a Big Ten regular season title. The Badgers have what should be two very winnable games against Purdue and Penn State, with a tough Michigan State road matchup sandwiched in there as well.

Look for Wisconsin to win at home against Purdue and on the road at Penn State. But that game against Michigan State will be tough, considering the Spartans are the only Big Ten team to already have beaten the Badgers on their own home court this season.

If the Badgers go 2-1 over this final three game stretch, they would finished 11-4 in conference play and should wrap up a top-four seed in the Big Ten Tournament.