Big Ten Basketball Tournament 2011 Game-by-Game Schedule and Predictions
What do JaJuan Johnson, Jared Sullinger, David Lighty, E'Twaun Moore, Demetri McCamey and Jon Leuer all have in common? Well, they all play basketball, and they will all be in Indianapolis this weekend for the Big Ten tournament.
Ladies and gentleman, do you have your game faces on? This is the last year for the tournament on this bracket type, so be ready as we usher in a new era for the Big Ten as Nebraska (yes, Nebraska has basketball too) enters the conference.
As we draw closer to the tournament, here is a game-by-game schedule and predictions for the tournament.
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 20
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN 2
Other Meetings: Split, both teams won at home.
Winner faces: Ohio State
This game is very important to both teams, although both squads have basically worked themselves out of tournament contention following some tough losses this season.
Both of these teams were expected to make big noise in the Big Ten this season, but have not performed up to par.
This should be a great game however, and definitely the best game of Thursday of the tournament.
Game 1 Prediction: Minnesota
2 of 20
Last season in the Big Ten tournament, Minnesota made a Cinderella run to the finals to gain a berth to the NCAA tournament. The Golden Gophers need to do the same again to clinch a spot in the field of 68 this season.
With numerous key performers from that team on this season's squad, look for Minnesota to win this game.
Northwestern has basically laid down and accepted its NIT berth, and look for Minnesota to win a close one here.
Thursday: Game 2: No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes
3 of 20
Time: 25 minutes following conclusion of Game 1
TV: ESPN2
Winner faces: Purdue
In case you had not heard yet, Michigan State has severally disappointed a lot of people this season. For a team that was ranked second at the beginning of the season, the Spartans sure do have a high seed for the conference tournament.
Iowa, on the other hand, beat Purdue recently on Senior Day to get out of the basement of the Big Ten. Iowa is a decent team, and is better than its record suggests, but one could argue that both of these teams fit that description.
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Game 2 Prediction: Michigan State
4 of 20
You know what they say about a Tom Izzo team, never count it out. Although the Spartans have underperformed this season, they still have the tools to make a run in the Big Ten tournament and even in the NCAA.
With all of the experience on this team and how underrated it is, anything could happen. Iowa should not be a problem for the Spartans.
Thursday: Game 3: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Indiana
5 of 20
Time: 7:30
TV: Big Ten Network
Previous Meetings: Penn State won at home
Winner faces: Wisconsin
This game could actually be a great one. Although the seeds are staggered and Penn State has a chance to make the tournament with a good run in the conference tournament, Indiana should match up well with them.
One thing the Hoosiers have going for them is the home crowd. Look for a lot of Hoosier fans to be at Conseco on Thursday, as it is only a short drive from Bloomington.
Game 3 Prediction: Indiana
6 of 20
I know it's a long shot, but if an upset is going to happen on Thursday of the tournament, it will be this one. Indiana seems to be one of those teams that has been pesky all year, and if Penn State does not come out to play, it could mean trouble for the Nittany Lions.
This would be a huge "program" win for Indiana as it tries to rebuild after the mess Kelvin Sampson left. If Indiana does win this game and you are in Indianapolis, don't go to the lobby, because there might be a crazed individual clapping, dancing and celebrating with fans.
Friday: Game 4: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Minnesota
7 of 20
Time: 12 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Previous Meetings: Ohio State won both meetings
Winner faces: Winner of Illinois/Michigan
Ohio State won the conference title this season and is nationally touted as the best team in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are big, can shoot and are just a well-rounded basketball team.
What is overlooked about Ohio State is that it plays stellar defense. David Lighty is one of the best defenders in the Big Ten and some feel he got robbed for BTDPOY.
Minnesota matches up well with the Buckeyes and has the size to stay with them, but it will be a tough task to beat them.
Game 4 Prediction: Ohio State
8 of 20
This one is a no brainer. The only team that can really have a shot at beating OSU is the Purdue Boilermakers, and they would meet in the finals, if it happens that way.
Ohio State is a national title contender, and it's going to take a miracle for Minnesota to win.
Friday: Game 5: No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 5 Michigan
9 of 20
Time: 25 minutes following conclusion of Game 4
TV: ESPN
Other Meetings: Illinois won only meeting
Winner faces: Winner of Game 4
This is by far the best-looking game for day number two. Both of these teams are playing extremely hard for a berth, and both squads would feel much better getting a win here.
This will be a very hard-fought matchup and will by far be one of the best games of the tournament. This game will be a typical Big Ten matchup with blood, broken faces and hustle. Look for this game to be known as the Hustle game of the tournament.
Game 5 Prediction: Michigan
10 of 20
This young Michigan team has improved immensely since the beginning of the year. While the other team in its state underperformed, Michigan overachieved.
Illinois seems to not be able to put together two halves, but Michigan seems to have it all working right now. This young team is going to be a contender in the Big Ten soon, and the tides might just be changing in the state of Michigan.
Friday: Game 6: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 7 Michigan State
11 of 20
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network
Previous Meetings: Purdue won both matchups
Winner faces: Winner of Game 7
This should be a great game. This conference matchup is turning into a fierce Big Ten battle each season.
Both of these teams have similar mind-sets, and each plays solid defense and has the ability to put up some serious points.
If this game happens, it will be a classic, as Michigan State will not want to be beat three times, and Purdue will still be mad about its loss to Iowa.
Game 6 Prediction: Purdue
12 of 20
This is going to be a very close game and could go either way. The edge is to Purdue, however. Michigan State has had trouble stopping Purdue's E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson as of late. It is going to be hard to stop each of those teams, especially in the stomping ground of Purdue.
This could be a close one for the Boilermakers, but expect them to pull it out.
Friday: Game 7: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 10 Indiana
13 of 20
Time: 25 minutes following conclusion of Game 6
TV: Big Ten Network
Previous Meetings: Wisconsin wins both
Winner faces: Winner of Game 6
This will not be a very good game. Wisconsin is playing some great basketball right now, even coming off the big loss at Ohio State.
Indiana will be emotionally extended due to its first round win and will lose track of this game. The Hoosiers need to play the game of their life to win.
Game 7: Wisconsin
14 of 20
There is no doubt about this one. Wisconsin should handle the Hoosiers to set up a battle that Joe Lunardi is calling the battle of the Chicago three seed, against Purdue.
Look for Jordan Taylor to have a great game and the Badgers to take care of the Hoosiers.
Saturday: Game 8: No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 5 Michigan
15 of 20
Time: 1:40
TV: CBS
Previous Meetings: Ohio State won both meetings
Winner: Goes to the Finals
If this matchup happens, it should be a great one. It is a big rivalry already, and this game is more intriguing because of OSU's buzzer-beating victory last season over Michigan in the Big Ten tournament.
Who knows what could happen when rivals meet?
Game 8 Prediction: Ohio State
16 of 20
Gotcha with the picture, didn't I?
Ohio State will win this matchup. The Buckeyes are the better team and should win, yet anything can happen in a rivalry.
Saturday: Game 9: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 3 Wisconsin
17 of 20
Time: 25 minutes following Game 9
TV: CBS
Previous Match-ups: Split
Winner: Goes to the Finals
This should be a great, hard-fought matchup between two teams with similar styles.
Both of these teams are playing well, and this one could go either way. This should be really fun to watch.
Game 9 Prediction: Purdue
18 of 20
Purdue is playing well right now and has a chip on its shoulder. The Boilermakers are tired of hearing about Ohio State and want their shot.
Look for the Boilermakers to step up and beat the Badgers to advance.
Championship Game: No. 1 Ohio State Vs. No. 2 Purdue
19 of 20
Time: 3:30
TV: CBS
Previous Match-ups: Split Meetings
Winner: Automatic Berth
So this is the game everyone wants to see. Purdue vs. Ohio State for all the marbles.
Both teams are playing extremely well and could go far in the NCAA tournament. Both of these teams are great, and this should be a classic battle.
Prediction: Purdue
20 of 20
I know I am going to get a lot of flack, and a lot of people will call me a homer for this pick, but I have truly tried to take all of my bias out of this.
Purdue is the better team to me. The Boilermakers play better as a team, and play a bigger rotation. After playing three straight games, this makes a difference.
With the small rotation that Ohio State plays, it is tough to see the Buckeyes winning this game. I could be wrong, but either way, this would be one heck of a matchup.
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