Big 10 Tournament 2016: Schedule and Bracket Predictions for Conference Tourney

At the start of the season, Tom Izzo and his Michigan State Spartans looked like the best team in the Big Ten and perhaps the country.

However, Izzo's squad never takes the direct route to the top. While the Spartans have been rounding into form in recent weeks—they have strung together eight victories in their last nine games—there was a lull earlier during the Big Ten schedule when the Spartans went through some difficulty.

Enter Indiana (24-6, 14-3), Wisconsin (19-10, 11-5), Purdue (23-7, 11-6), Iowa (20-9, 11-6) and Maryland (23-6, 11-5). The Hoosiers clinched the regular-season Big Ten title with a win at Iowa Tuesday night, while the Badgers, Boilermakers, Hawkeyes and Terrapins have all had outstanding moments during the year.

When the Big Ten tournament gets underway in Indianapolis March 9, look for the referees to let a few more fouls go and for more physical play than is seen in the regular season. The toughest, most battle-tested teams have the best chance of advancing.

Michigan State is a likely No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and it should be able to make a long run in Indianapolis. But just who will have enough gumption to stand in the Spartans' way or confront them in the championship round?

Date	Game No.	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
March 9	1	No. 13 seed vs. No. 12 seed	4:30 p.m.	ESPN2
March 9	2	No. 14 seed vs. No. 11 seed	7 p.m.	BTN
March 10	3	No. 9 seed vs. No. 8 seed	Noon	BTN
March 10	4	13-12 winner vs. No. 5 seed	2:30 p.m.	BTN
March 10	5	No. 10 seed vs. No. 7 seed	6:30 p.m.	ESPN2
March 10	6	14-11 winner vs. No. 6 seed	9 p.m.	ESPN2
March 11	7	9-8 winner vs. No. 1 seed	Noon	ESPN
March 11	8	Game 4 winner vs. No. 4 seed	2:30 p.m.	ESPN
March 11	9	Game 5 winner vs. No. 2 seed	6:30 p.m.	BTN
March 11	10	Game 6 winner vs. No. 3 seed	9 p.m.	BTN
March 12	11	Semifinal (Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner)	1 p.m.	CBS
March 12	12	Semifinal (Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner)	3:30 p.m.	CBS
March 13	13	Championship Game	3 p.m.	CBS

Favorite: Michigan State (24-5, 11-5)

This team is battle-tested, having made it all the way to the Final Four a year ago and having a team that looks good enough to make a run at that destination again this season.

Denzel Valentine figures to go in the first round of the NBA draft and could even make it into the top half. Not only is he averaging 19.6 points per game, but he is shooting 46.8 percent from the field and averaging 7.6 rebounds per night. Additionally, Valentine has proved he has the touch from beyond the arc, connecting 45.0 percent of his three-point attempts.

"

NBA draft experts incl. @DraftExpress weigh in on the future's of Denzel Valentine, Deyonta Davis & Matt Costello.https://t.co/qTbzDux1nT

— Freep Sports (@freepsports) February 28, 2016"

The numbers tell much of Valentine's story, but not all of it. He has the ability to make the big play at the key moment. It could be on defense, it could be with a pass or it could be taking the key shot. Valentine exudes both joy and confidence on the court, and his teammates feed off of it.

The Spartans have gotten a big season out of guard Bryn Forbes, who has shown quite a bit of improvement this season. After averaging 8.5 points per game a year ago, he is up to 14.6 per game this year and is the team's second leading scorer. Forbes has been magical beyond the arc, connecting on 50 percent of his shots (92-of-184), and he is capable of stretching a lead in a hurry.

Matt Costello is the third Spartan averaging in double figures. The 6'9", 245-pound forward is a battler who leaves it all on the court every night, and he knows how to rise to the occasion and has done so in big games throughout his career. Costello is averaging 10.3 points per game and a team-high 8.2 rebounds while connecting on 54.8 percent of his shots from the floor.

The senior trio of Valentine, Forbes and Costello figures to be the key to a great run in the Big Ten tournament and beyond, but sophomore guard Lourawls "Tum-Tum" Nairn Jr. cannot be overlooked. While he may not be a technically great player, he can handle the ball, find the open man and provide a spark when necessary.

Robin Scholz/Associated Press

Sleeper: Michigan (20-10, 10-7)

The Big Ten is loaded with teams that are capable of having a great weekend in Indianapolis and going on a championship run. As a result, it's tough to find a sleeper.

However, Michigan just may fit the bill. While the Wolverines are not particularly hot right now—they have lost five of their last eight games going into Saturday's regular-season finale at home against Iowa—head coach John Beilein has a way of getting his team ready for big games.

The Wolverines are currently in eighth place in the Big Ten, but they have four players who are averaging in double figures, led by 6'7" guard Caris LeVert, who is averaging 16.5 points per game and connecting on 50.6 percent of his shots from the floor.

LeVert is a smooth athlete who can slash to the rim and carry his team when he starts to get his running game going.

Fellow guard Derrick Walton Jr. is second on the Wolverines in scoring with an average of 12.2 points per game. His shooting has been a bit erratic this season, as he is connecting on 39 percent of his shots from the field. If he could take it up a notch in the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines could surprise quite a few teams.

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Needs it Most: Ohio State (19-11, 11-6)

The Buckeyes sit in sixth place in the Big Ten, but they played with confidence in beating Iowa 68-64 at home last Sunday. If they can close the regular season with a win on the road at Michigan State, head coach Thad Matta's team will be flying high.

Remember, the Buckeyes were considered to be an NIT team by several of the preseason magazines, and they would need a great showing in the Big Ten tournament to get themselves in the NCAA tournament.

Some prognosticators, including Cleveland.com's Bill Landis, believe the Buckeyes have to win the tournament to get an NCAA invite.

It may not be quite that dire, but the Buckeyes do need a strong showing. If they are going to get there, look for a 6'8" swing man Marc Loving, who is averaging a team-high 13.3 points per game, to lead the way. Sophomore forward Keita Bates-Diop is having a solid season, averaging 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Al Goldis/Associated Press

Predicted Winner: Michigan State

The Spartans are perhaps the most battle-tested team in the nation, and they have three strong seniors in Valentine, Forbes and Costello who can lead the way.

But it will not be easy, and they will likely meet the Indiana Hoosiers (24-6, 14-3) along the way. Indiana is in first place in the regular season, and when the Hoosiers get hot, they are capable of putting together a streak and embarrassing any team in the conference.

Yogi Ferrell continues to be the Hoosiers' leading scorer and best clutch player, as he is averaging 17.0 points per game and connecting on 46.3 percent of his shots.

While Ferrell, Troy Williams and Thomas Bryant are capable of cutting down the nets and winning the tournament, the Spartans will get the job done.