Big Ten Tournament 2015: Bracket, TV Schedule, Dates, Live Stream Info

Good luck crafting better March drama than the 2015 Big Ten tournament.

Spectators will get the chance to watch Wisconsin’s final efforts to secure a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance, superstars and future pros like Frank Kaminsky and D’Angelo Russell and heated rivalries between some of the most passionate fanbases in the country.  

Throw in the fact that it is all happening in Michael Jordan’s old stomping grounds at the United Center in Chicago and the Big Ten tournament is appointment viewing.

With that in mind, here is a look at the schedule, the broadcast information and the intriguing teams to watch for the annual event.

2015 Big Ten Tournament

Dates: Wednesday, March 11 – Sunday, March 15

Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Bracket: Available here, courtesy of the Big Ten Network

TV: ESPN, ESPN 2, Big Ten Network and CBS Sports 

Live Stream: WatchESPN, CBSSports.com and BTN2Go.com

Intriguing Teams to Watch

Wisconsin

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Wisconsin has been atop the Big Ten standings for the majority of the season, and the conference tournament will be its final chance to make its case as a No. 1 seed to the committee before Selection Sunday.

The Badgers will have something else in mind in Chicago besides just the Big Dance, though. Despite reaching the Final Four a season ago, they have not won the Big Ten tournament since the 2007-08 season. In fact, Ohio State and Michigan State have shared the past five titles, and Bo Ryan’s team has been on the outside looking in that entire time.

Wisconsin has been the king of the conference all year, but a title in the league tournament would solidify its spot. There is something to be said about playing for bragging rights against the rest of the conference, and the Badgers have not won this event in a number of years.

Wisconsin will also be an intriguing team for the fans to watch because of the sheer amount of talent on the roster. Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press pointed out that other coaches in the league have taken notice:

Wisconsin will be the No. 1 seed in the tournament, looking to add another notch to its impressive resume this season with NBA talent all over the floor. Its games will certainly be marquee events in Chicago.

Maryland

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Maryland is intriguing for a number of the same reasons as Wisconsin. It has been near the top of the standings all season, a conference tournament title would go a long way toward boosting an already impressive resume, and Dez Wells and Melo Trimble are two of the most talented players in the league.

However, there is another element of intrigue when it comes to the Terrapins: This is their first season as a member of the Big Ten.

Maryland has certainly impressed in its new league and even took down the Badgers earlier this season, but a conference tournament victory would certainly make a loud statement. If nothing else, it would announce to the rest of the league that it is here to stay and plans on building a Big Ten tradition of its own in the process.

The Terrapins are one of the most exciting teams in the conference because of their tremendous backcourt. Wells and Trimble are a lethal one-two punch thanks to their ability to attack the rim, throw down powerful slams, hit from three-point range and take over a game in the final minutes.

If Maryland is in a tightly contested showdown in Chicago, it will be comfortable knowing that it has two playmakers who can get their own shots whenever they want. That will go a long way in March.

Purdue

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Purdue is one of the most interesting case studies in the conference and even the country as Selection Sunday approaches.

Before league play began, the suggestion that Purdue would crack the field of 68 in March Madness was borderline absurd. After all, the Boilermakers lost to North Florida, Gardner Webb and Vanderbilt in the nonconference portion of the schedule, which is not supposed to happen for a Big Ten contender.

However, Purdue turned things around in conference play and reached double-digit wins in the Big Ten thanks to a stretch in January and February when it won eight times in nine games.

Suddenly, the Boilermakers have an NCAA tournament argument, and wins over fellow bubble teams North Carolina State and BYU carry a lot more weight.

Coach Matt Painter discussed his team’s turnaround, per Nathan Baird of The Indianapolis Star: "We've done a better job of sticking with shooters and getting them out of rhythm. We've played better on the offensive end, too. When you play better on the offensive end, you don't get caught in transition as much."

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

If Purdue can add a couple of victories in the Big Ten tournament, its resume will appear all the better. Look for it to ride A.J. Hammons down low and that renewed defensive effort that Painter mentioned in March. 

Perhaps it will be enough to keep playing after the conference tournament is over.

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