Big Ten Tournament: Complete Predictions for All 4 Thursday Matchups

The Big Ten tournament is back to its original site, as Michigan knocked off Purdue in the inaugural Big Ten tournament coming in 1998 as Robert "Tractor" Traylor was named tournament MVP.

Unlike 1998, there will be four games played on Thursday of the tournament, with the fifth through 12th seeds needing wins to advance to Friday's quarterfinals. 

Three of the eight teams playing Thursday should be seen playing in March Madness, one is squarely on the bubble, while the other four would need a string of four straight wins to become tournament eligible.

With plenty on the line, I for one and extremely excited to be in attendance for Thursday's games, even if the top four teams in the B1G won't be taking the court. 

Here's a look at what I expect to see on Thursday. Check back again to see my predictions and thoughts for games as the tournament continues.

(8) Illinois Fighting Illini vs. (9) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Illinois and Minnesota split the season series 1-1.

Behind a huge Illini following to kick off the first Big Ten tournament in Chicago since 2007, the Illini knock off the Golden Gophers in a back-and-forth contest.

Illinois and Minnesota are in similar boats in regard to the NCAA tournament, both of whom should be safe on Selection Sunday regardless of this contest's outcome, though one more win certainly can't hurt.

Look for Tracy Abrams to play well, as he did in Illinois' United Center appearance in December against Auburn. For Minnesota, Trevor Mbakwe should continue his dominance, though Illinois had success when doubling down on him in the post.

Illinois 66, Minnesota 63

(5) Michigan Wolverines vs. (12) Penn State Nittany Lions

Michigan and Penn State split the season series 1-1.

Of Penn State's two conference wins, Michigan accounted for half of them. Maybe the Nittany Lions were just mad that now-Big Ten Player of the Year Trey Burke decommitted from PSU to head to Ann Arbor in their upset win, but I don't see a repeat performance.

Don't get me wrong, Penn State has played teams extremely tough as of late, including Michigan's eight-point victory over Penn State just a week and a half prior to the two teams' rematch in late February. 

Michigan will be playing with a chip on its shoulder following its loss to Indiana on Sunday, which led to the team not receiving a first-round bye in this tournament. Look for Trey Burke and Nik Stauskas to play hot from the outside, while trying to contain DJ Newbill's all-around game. 

Michigan 76, Penn State 65

(7) Purdue Boilermakers vs. (10) Nebraska Cornhuskers

Purdue won the season series 1-0.

Though not in the NCAA tournament discussion, despite receiving a higher seed in the Big Ten tournament than both Illinois and Minnesota, Purdue needs a pair of wins in Chicago just to become NIT eligible.

Terone Johnson and D.J. Byrd have been deadly lately, as Ronnie Johnson's solid play has sprinkled into the Boilermakers' recent success. Getting freshman center A.J. Hammons motivated has been the issue lately, however.

Nebraska hangs around with everyone, losing to Purdue by only nine points in the lone matchup. Shavon Shields is an up-and-coming freshman, while Brandon Ubel and Dylan Talley could very well be playing in their final collegiate game here.

Purdue 62, Nebraska 52

(6) Iowa Hawkeyes vs. (11) Northwestern Wildcats

Iowa swept the season series 2-0.

Iowa has more on the line than any other team in the Big Ten this weekend, as the Hawkeyes need at least two wins to have their name thrown around in serious NCAA tournament discussions.

Aaron White has played great as a sophomore, and if Roy Devyn Marble is on his game, he is among the conference's elite. A potential welcome back from injury for freshman point guard Mike Gesell would help the Hawkeyes contain Dave Sobolewski.

Northwestern does have the advantage in proximity to Chicago, but that won't make a difference. Reggie Hearn and Alex Marcotullio deserve better than to play their final collegiate game without another postseason appearance, but that's what the Wildcats are in danger of thanks to way too many injuries.

Iowa 71, Northwestern 64