Big 10 Tournament 2015: Bracket Predictions Before Final Regular-Season Games

There's plenty of hype surrounding the SEC's undefeated Kentucky Wildcats and a very deep ACC, but if you're looking for what promises to be an extremely compelling conference tournament, look no further than the Big Ten.

The conference boasts two of the nation's top-10 teams in Wisconsin and Maryland, and while Ohio State is the only other squad in the Top 25, Michigan State, Iowa and Purdue can't be overlooked. This impending tournament can go in a variety of directions, and how each of the Big Ten's 14 teams are ultimately seeded could play an enormous role.

How the season's final regular-season games play out will determine which four teams ultimately receive the tournament's coveted double-byes. Big Ten champion Wisconsin already clinched one, and Maryland's two-game cushion over the rest of the pack earned it the other—that leaves two more up for grabs.

Before we get into the bracket predictions for this year's Big Ten showdown, here's a look at the tournament's projected seeds upon the conclusion of the regular season.

Projected Seeds

Seed	Team
1	Wisconsin
2	Maryland
3	Michigan State
4	Iowa
5	Purdue
6	Ohio State
7	Indiana
8	Illinois
9	Michigan
10	Minnesota
11	Northwestern
12	Nebraska
13	Penn State
14	Rutgers

Bracket Predictions

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Wisconsin clinched the Big Ten title with a 76-63 victory over Minnesota in its penultimate regular-season contest. Forward Frank Kaminsky was on fire, playing 40 minutes and racking up 25 points, six rebounds and seven assists while shooting 10-of-15 from the floor. With a great complement in Sam Dekker, the Badgers are extremely strong up front.

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Here's what Dekker had to say about Kaminsky after the game during a press conference with The Associated Press, via ESPN.com: "He's grown up so much, and that confidence is at an all-time high right now. I think he's even going to step it up more down the stretch here."

That's a scary thought for Wisconsin's upcoming opponents, as Kaminsky is already averaging 18.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 blocks per game this season.

So, here's the big question surrounding the Big Ten tournament: Which team has the best chance to contain the dangerous Kaminsky and take down Wisconsin?

Well, the early favorite to do so would be the Maryland Terrapins.

The nation's No. 10 team had a bit of a rough stretch earlier this year, losing to Indiana, Ohio State and Iowa in a matter of five games. After barely edging out Indiana, Penn State and Nebraska in the ensuing games, the Terps put together a brilliant performance and took down Wisconsin.

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

The difference-maker in that contest was guard Dez Wells, who bucketed 26 points and added seven rebounds and four assists; however, aside from a 16-point showing from Melo Trimble, no other Terrapin put up double-digit points.

Still, Maryland coach Mark Turgeon came away pleased and spoke of his team's ability to win close contests during a press conference with The Associated Press, via ESPN.com: "We are what we are. We figure out a way to win. We compete when we have to. I'll take close wins as long as we keep winning. We're really becoming gritty and tough."

Although, those close wins also show where the problem lies for Maryland. They continue to allow below-average squads to hang around for the duration of a basketball game, and that could lead to an early demise in the conference tournament.

While Michigan State, Purdue and Iowa are certainly a trio teams to keep an eye on in the forthcoming tournament—especially if any receive a double-bye—Ohio State is the squad that could potentially become the Big Ten's bracket-buster.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

With a solid mix of offense and defense, the Buckeyes have stepped up against better opponents late in the season, defeating Indiana and torching Maryland by a score of 80-56. In that contest, Ohio State showed its prowess down low, collecting 51 boards to Maryland's 32. That kind of lopsided statistic will lead to wins deep in March.

Ohio State coach Thad Matta shared this thoughts on his team's efforts during a press conference with The Associated Press, via ESPN.com: "We played tougher. We were quick to the ball. For the most part, guys did what they were supposed to. We rebounded the ball well, we rebounded out of our area. We did a good job of the rotations defensively and walled guys up."

Since that contest, the Buckeyes lost two close contests to Michigan State and Michigan; however, they bounced back nicely to win their next three.

The team's regular-season finale is a showdown against Wisconsin, but even if Ohio State loses—and misses out on a double-bye—a very late look at the Badgers could help the Buckeyes' preparation for a potential tournament showdown.

That said, there's a reason to trust each aforementioned Big Ten squad in the tournament. However, the advantage here will go to the squad that boasts the most well-rounded roster, flourishes on both ends of the court and has found some late-season momentum. No team has more of those factors on hand than the Badgers.

Predicted tournament winner: Wisconsin