Big Ten Tournament 2015: Dates, Bracket and Dark-Horse Contenders to Watch

Who says you have to wait until the Big Dance for a little March Madness? 

The Big Ten tournament figures to be one of the most competitive league battles in the entire country, and it is full of storylines and superstar players. Wisconsin is shooting for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, Maryland is rapidly ascending the seeding line, and March mainstays like Michigan State and Ohio State will look to put up-and-down seasons behind them.

Throw in household names like Frank Kaminsky, D'Angelo Russell and Dez Wells, and the Big Ten tournament is must-see television for any college basketball fan.

With that in mind, here is a look at the dates and some dark-horse contenders that could spoil the party for the Badgers and Terrapins. A full bracket and schedule can be found here, courtesy of the Big Ten Network.

2015 Big Ten Tournament

Dates: Wednesday, March 11 – Sunday, March 15

Location: United Center, Chicago 

TV: ESPN, ESPN2, Big Ten Network and CBS Sports

Dark-Horse Contenders

Ohio State

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

It may seem strange to call Ohio State a dark horse, but Thursday's victory over Nebraska moved it into a tie with Iowa for fifth place in the standings (and the Hawkeyes won both head-to-head matchups).

There is a lack of substance on the Buckeyes' resume after losing their two nonconference games of note against North Carolina and Louisville—although they do boast an impressive 24-point win over Maryland. It is that precise performance against the Terrapins that demonstrated just how dangerous this squad can be in the one-and-done nature of the postseason.

Russell carried the squad with 18 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and two steals, but his supporting cast also showed up. Jae'Sean Tate had 16 points and eight rebounds, sharpshooter Marc Loving had 19 points on 5-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, and the defense swarmed Maryland throughout the game.

A transcendent superstar like Russell can take the pressure off the other players, and pieces like Tate (who has topped the 20-point barrier in three of the past eight games), Loving (fifth in the nation at 51.2 percent from downtown) and Shannon Scott (6.1 assists per game) can thrive.

Still, it all comes down to Russell.

We have seen brilliant individual efforts in the college basketball postseason before, and there are few players in the country who can put their team on their back as effectively as Russell. He can hit from three, slash into the lane and set up his teammates with silky-smooth passes and will almost always be the best player on the floor. 

Nicole Auerbach of USA Today was certainly impressed with his play while ESPN's Myron Medcalf asked a pertinent question with March right around the corner:

The Buckeyes may not be as strong as in years past, but Wisconsin and especially Maryland don't want to see Russell lined up on the other side of a do-or-die matchup. All it will take is one brilliant game from No. 0 to end one of the favorites' Big Ten title hopes.

Minnesota

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

While Ohio State is still a candidate to get hot at the right time and win the entire conference tournament, Minnesota is more of a dark horse to fear in the first game or two.

The Golden Gophers are a disappointing 6-10 in Big Ten play this season, but they have the mix of talent and experience that every team wants in March. In fact, they demonstrated just how dangerous they can be during Thursday's shocking overtime win in East Lansing against Michigan State.

Andre Hollins spearheaded the offense with 17 points, and big man Maurice Walker did his part down low with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Golden Gophers have a rarity in college basketball with a senior leader in Hollins, and his play in the postseason will dictate how the Big Ten tournament unfolds. Minnesota won the NIT a season ago and picked up critical do-or-die experience there, which will undoubtedly help in Chicago.

Coach Richard Pitino discussed where his team stood early in Big Ten play with an eye toward the postseason, via Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press:

"

I've never set the goal as you have to make the NCAA tournament or bust. I never said that to our team. I never said that to our team last year. I thought we really, really overachieved last year and did a lot of good things. I still think we're playing good basketball and can get much better.

"

The only way Minnesota will reach the NCAA tournament is probably with a conference tournament title, so expect the players to have a sense of urgency that some of the top seeds may not have a week before the Big Dance.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Golden Gophers upset Michigan State, beat Iowa, beat Purdue, took Ohio State to overtime and put up solid fights against Wisconsin and Louisville. They have postseason experience from the NIT championship, a senior leader who can carry the load in crunch time in Hollins and a double-double threat down low in Walker. 

That is a dangerous combination for an underdog that the top seeds better be aware of in the Big Ten tournament.

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