Big Ten Tournament 2015: Round 2 Schedule, Live Stream Info, Bracket Predictions

A handful of the best players in the nation are on display in the 2015 Big Ten tournament, and the 18th annual event will give those stars the opportunity to win the conference's at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

Multiple teams will likely represent the conference in the Big Dance after Selection Sunday. Wisconsin and Maryland are virtual locks regardless of how they fare in this current tourney. But bubble teams like Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue, Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois can erase any doubt by winning the at-large bid.

Except the road to the Big Ten title isn't easy.

Round 1 of the tourney saw Penn State and Minnesota advance in the only two games on the schedule. There are four contests scheduled for Thursday, but two games in particular are worth taking a closer look at. Everything you need to know about Round 2 of the Big Ten tournament is below.

Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
No. 8 Illinois vs. No. 9 Michigan	12 p.m.	BTN
No. 5 Iowa vs. No. 13 Penn State	25 min. after end of first game	BTN
No. 7 Indiana vs. No. 10 Northwestern	6:30 p.m.	ESPN 2
No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Minnesota	25 min. after previous game	ESPN 2

Note: Live streams of games can be found at WatchESPN and BTN2Go.com. Also, a full bracket for the Big Ten tournament can be found at BTN.com.

No. 8 Illinois vs. No. 9 Michigan

USA TODAY Sports

A matchup of two closely ranked teams is almost guaranteed to deliver a competitive affair—especially when the matchup is Illinois vs. Michigan.

The two teams split the season series, and both contests featured come-from-behind victories by the home squad. Each team has a ton to play for. Illinois can keep its not-so-bright NCAA tournament hopes alive with a win. Michigan is fighting to simply keep playing this season, as there is no hope for the Wolverines to advance to anything but the NIT after this tourney.

Illinois put itself in position as a bubble team by losing four of its last six games. But many are of the belief that a win against Michigan—even if the Illini lose in the following round—is enough to get it to the Big Dance. CBS Sports' Seth Davis has that opinion:

The key for the Illini is twofold. Offensively, they need to continue hitting threes. Four of their presumed starters—Kendrick Nunn, Ahmad Starks, Rayvonte Rice and Malcolm Hill—convert on over 33 percent of their tries from distance.

That's difficult for Michigan to defend, as quick ball movement along the perimeter will inevitably leave a shooter open. And because 80 percent of the starting lineup can drill it from deep, the players shouldn't be worried about making the extra pass.

The second key is in the paint, but not offensively. The Illini defense needs to focus its efforts on stopping the pick-and-roll inside. Zak Irvin and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman run the pick-and-roll effectively with the big men on the roster, and when Nnanna Egwu vacates the paint to play perimeter defense, they'll look to take advantage.

Michigan has to execute in all facets of the game to earn a win Thursday afternoon. The Illini are playing well with Rice back and productive, making them a tough draw for the Wolverines.

The last three meetings between these two teams have been decided by either one point or overtime. Expect a similarly close contest Thursday.

Prediction: Illinois wins, 71-67

No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 11 Minnesota

All eyes are on 19-year-old D'Angelo Russell on Thursday against Minnesota, as the Ohio State star has been simply incredible during his freshman season. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year earlier in the week, probably because he led the team in points per game (19.2) and rebounds per game (5.6) and finished second on the team in assists per game (5.2).

The freshman sensation is extremely confident in his game given his production this season, and that should make Minnesota's guards fearful to guard him.

Russell was the team's top player when the Buckeyes took on the Golden Gophers earlier in the season, dropping 27 points in 43 minutes of a 74-72 game that was decided in overtime.

The youngster has only been held to less than 10 points once this season. That was in his second career game, a six-point affair in November against Marquette. Needless to say, he'll be the focal point of Minnesota's defensive strategy.

Minnesota enters as losers of five of its last seven games, allowing two big nights from Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky in the process. Containing stars has proved difficult for this team.

As simplistic as it might sound, this game truly rests on the shoulders of Russell. If he can score enough early to force the defense to swarm him on the perimeter, then the rest of the Ohio State offense should click.

He has shown the talent necessary to put his teammates in positions to succeed on offense. After drawing the double-team, look for him to find his open teammate either for a mid-range jumper or easy bucket in the paint.

If Ohio State loses, it's because Russell didn't do enough to make the offense operate fluidly.

Prediction: Ohio State rolls, 67-59

Kenny DeJohn is a Breaking News Team Featured Columnist. Follow him on Twitter.