2011 Big Ten Tournament Bracket: Breaking Down the Schedule and Games
The Big Ten tournament is finally finalized after the Wisconsin vs. Ohio State massacre in Columbus.
The Big Ten tournament is set for a great four days and always seems to be one of the best conference tournaments in the country.
The tournament will be held in Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana and will start on Thursday.
I will be covering the event for B/R, so make sure to follow me on here and my Twitter page for updates.
James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.
Thursday: Game 1: No. 8 Northwestern vs. No. 9 Minnesota
1 of 10
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN 2
Other Meetings: Split, both teams won at home.
Winner faces: Ohio State
This game means a lot to both teams. Minnesota has a shot at making the tournament, and if it could make some noise, it will more than likely be in. The Golden Gophers have been in this situation before, just like last year when they made a run to the finals to get into the Big Dance.
Northwestern is out at this point unless it makes the tournament finals. The Wildcats need a big win here to build their stats, but it's looking like another NIT bid.
Thursday: Game 2: No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes
2 of 10
Time: 25 minutes following conclusion of Game 1
TV: ESPN2
Winner faces: Purdue
This should be a decent game. Iowa is playing well, but look for MSU to win this matchup.
Iowa is coming off of a win against Purdue and should be very amped up.
Thursday: Game 3: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Indiana
3 of 10
Time: 7:30
TV: Big Ten Network
Winner faces: Wisconsin
This should be a great matchup. Look for PSU to run away, though, as IU is not playing well at the moment. If IU can get on a run, this could be a great one.
Look for Taylor Battle to dominate this game.
Friday: Game 4: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Nothwestern/Minnesota
4 of 10
Time: 12 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Winner faces: Winner of Illinois/Michigan
Ohio State is obviously a favorite against either of these teams. Minnesota would match up better with OSU, but there is no way it gets through OSU without a miracle.
Friday: Game 5: No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 5 Michigan
5 of 10
Time: 25 minutes following conclusion of Game 4
TV: ESPN
Other Meetings: Illinois won only meeting
Winner faces: Winner of Game 4
This game should be great. Both of these teams are playing well at the moment, and Michigan has basically come out of nowhere. The Wolverines should be already in the tournament, but a win here against the Illini would make them feel better about their odds.
Illinois is basically in as well, but again, once the selection show comes around, anything can happen.
Friday: Game 6: No. 2 Purdue vs. Michigan State/Iowa
6 of 10
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network
Winner faces: Winner of Game 7
Purdue is a great team but recently dropped a game at Iowa. The Boilermakers surely want to draw the Hawkeyes to get some revenge, as no one wants Penn State right now. Purdue will surely remember its 63-62 nail-biting victory at home over Penn State in January, when JaJuan Johnson hit the game-winner with three seconds remaining.
Friday: Game 7: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. Penn State/Indiana
7 of 10
Time: 25 minutes following conclusion of Game 6
TV: Big Ten Network
Winner faces: Winner of Game 6
Wisconsin is a legitimate threat in this tournament. The Badgers knocked off Ohio State when they were undefeated and are a great team. I would not like to be the team that has to face the Badgers after their pounding in Columbus. If it's Indiana, it could be a pounding.
Saturday: Game 8: Game 4 vs. Game 5
8 of 10
Time: 1:40
TV: CBS
Winner: Goes to the Finals
Projected Matchup: Ohio State vs. Illinois
Saturday: Game 9: Game 6 vs. Game 7
9 of 10
Time: 25 minutes following Game 9
TV: CBS
Winner: Goes to the Finals
Projected Matchup: Purdue vs. Wisconsin
Sunday: Game 10: Championship Winner of Game 8 and Game 9
10 of 10
Time: 3:30
TV: CBS
Winner: Automatic Berth
Projected Matchup: Ohio State vs. Purdue
