2011 Big Ten Tournament Preview: What Each Team Has to Gain in Indianapolis

Big Ten Tournament Preview: Michigan State, Michigan and Minnesota Among Big Ten Teams With Most to Gain

March has crept up on us once again, and that means tournament time in the Big Ten and around the college basketball world. 

While the Ohio State Buckeyes won the Big Ten regular season title, they certainly aren't a lock to win the tournament in Indianapolis. As we know about March Madness, nothing is a for sure thing. 

However, just about every team in the bracket stands to gain something with a deep run in tournament. 

Could teams like Michigan State and Minnesota turn around their disappointing seasons? Can Wisconsin and Illinois improve their seeding for the NCAA tournament? 

Or, could a team like basement-dwellers Indiana or Iowa shock the basketball world and win it?

Let's break down what each team has to gain at the Big Ten Tournament. 

Indiana Hoosiers

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 27: Tom Crean the Head Coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to Verdell Jones III #12 during the Big Ten Conference game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 27, 2010 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indi

Record (conference), Seeding: 12-19 (3-15), No.11

First game: vs. No.6 Penn State

What's to gain: Being the lowest seeded team in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers could only dream of having a crack at the NCAA tournament. 

However, with the Big Ten Tournament comes opportunity for Tom Crean's bunch. 

A run towards the tournament title is unlikely, but we've seen Hollywood-type stories come from Hoosier land in the past.

Indiana would need to win four straight games, likely over Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Ohio State, to be crowned tournament champs.

Iowa Hawkeyes

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes coaches during the Big Ten Conference game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Record (conference), seeding: 11-19 (4-14), No.10

First game: vs. No.7 Michigan State

What's to gain: Much like Indiana, Iowa is going to need to win four games and the tournament to secure a place in the field of 68. 

However, Iowa is coming off a 67-65 win over Purdue on March 5, so confidence should be high for the Hawkeyes. 

Their first round matchup with Michigan State is going to be a pressure-packed game for the Spartans, and Iowa really has nothing to lose. 

Don't be surprised to see Iowa knock off Michigan State, but running the gauntlet is the only way Iowa's basketball season will continue. 

Minnesota Golden Gophers

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INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 14: Center Paul Carter #1 and head coach Tubby Smith of the Minnesota Golden Gophers react in the final moments of the championship game in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 14, 2010 in Indianapo

Record (conference), seeding: 17-13 (6-12), No.9

First game: vs. No.8 Northwestern

What's to gain: A top 25 team coming into the season, Minnesota has been one of the biggest disappoints of the college basketball year. 

Tubby Smith's crew has dealt with a myriad of on-the-court and off-the-court problems, and the result has been a 6-12 record in the Big Ten. 

However, Minnesota still has talent on the roster, and talent can surprise people when pushed to the edge. 

The Gophers need to win the tournament to secure a spot in the NCAA's, but a run to even the championship game could mean Minnesota gets an invitation to the NIT. 

Northwestern Wildcats

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Michael Thompson #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats drives for a shot attempt against the St. Francis Terriers during the Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2010 in New York City. (Ph

Record (conference), seeding: 17-12 (7-11), No.8

First game: vs. No.9 Minnesota

What's to gain: Billed as a potential tournament team coming into the season, Northwestern haven't lived up to the hype so far this year.

The Wildcats ended the season just 4-7 in their last 11 games, and only beat one ranked team on their schedule (then No.24 Illinois). 

While that kind of finish won't get Northwestern anywhere near the NCAA tournament talk, a run to the tournament championship would mean there is no discussion about whether or not the Wildcats should make the big dance. 

The winner of their game against Minnesota, however, has to play Ohio State in the next round. 

Michigan State Spartans

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Kalin Lucas #1 of the Michigan State Spartans walks off of the court as Michigan State fell to the Ohio State Buckues 71-61 on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Record (conference), seeding: 17-13 (9-9), No.7

First game: vs. No.10 Iowa

What's to gain: Michigan State easily takes home the most disappointing team in the country award for this season. 

After back-to-back runs to the Final Four and a top five preseason ranking, many thought Michigan State would be serious title contenders. 

That hasn't materialized, but don't count the Spartans out yet. This team still has the talent to play with any team in the Big Ten, and they are still very much alive for an NCAA tournament spot. 

A deep run would cement their spot in the field, and Michigan State could do damage in Match if they caught fire in Indianapolis. 

Penn State Nittany Lions

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - DECEMBER 27: Tim Frazier #23 of Penn State Nittany Lions dribbles the ball during the Big Ten Conference game against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 27, 2010 at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Record (conference), seeding: 16-13 (9-9), No.6 

First game: vs. No.11 Indiana

What's to gain: Penn State is a tough team to figure out. With wins over Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin, the Nittany Lion basketball program is obviously on the rise. 

However, they could never get over the hump this season, and currently they sit on the outside looking in to the tournament field. 

But if we've found out anything, we known this squad is a resilient bunch.

They can beat the top teams, and a run to the championship game would make Penn State a difficult team to grade on the bubble. 

Illinois Fighting Illini

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 13: Mike Davis #24 of the Illinois Fighting Illini tries to fire up the crowd against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 81-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Gett

Record (conference), seeding: 19-12 (9-9), No.5

First game: vs. No.4 Michigan

What's to gain: The Fighting Illini are another tough bunch to get a handle on.

With wins over Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Minnesota (all ranked at the time), you'd think Illinois was a shoe-in for the tournament.

However, a 5-7 end to their regular season has them fighting the bubble heading into the Big Ten Tournament. 

Illinois needs a win or two to cement their status, and a tournament championship could get Illinois in the conversation for a five to seven seed.

Michigan Wolverines

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LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 19: Stu Douglass #1 of the Mighigan Wolverines gets ready on court during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on December 19, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Record (conference), seeding: 19-12 (9-9), No.4

First game: vs. No.5 Illinois

What's to gain: Much like Illinois, Michigan is most likely a tournament team at this point. 

While they lack a signature win, an 8-3 finish to their Big Ten schedule has put them in a good position to land a spot in the field. 

However, Michigan is more on the bubble than is Illinois, and a loss in their first game would put serious doubt in a lot of the tournament selectors. 

With a win over Illinois, Michigan is most likely in the field, and a deep run could get them in the eight to 10 range in seeding. 

Wisconsin Badgers

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - MARCH 19: Jon Leuer #30 and Jordan Taylor #11 of the Wisconsin Badgers battle for a rebound against the Wofford Terriers during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena on Ma

Record (conference), seeding: 23-7 (13-5), No.3

First game: Bye, plays winner of Penn State/Indiana

What's to gain: While their picture would suggest the Badgers don't play well together, that couldn't be farther from the truth. 

Led by Jordan Taylor and Jon Leuer, the Badgers are an efficient team on both ends of the floor. 

Wisconsin is coming off an embarrassing loss to Ohio State however, and a couple wins in the tournament would do their seeding well. 

A trip to the championship game means the Badgers would get a seed in the three to four range, and a win might even vault UW to the fringe of a No.2. 

Purdue Boilermakers

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: Terone Johnson #0 of the Purdue Boilermakers looks on against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue won 75-52. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Record (conference), seeding: 25-6 (14-4), No.2

First game: Bye, plays winner of Michigan State/Iowa

What's to gain: With wins over Wisconsin, Ohio State and Illinois (twice) in the past month, the Boilermakers are a team that is trending up. 

However, a loss to Iowa in the regular season finale could be concerning. 

It's also possible that Purdue is going to be facing a hungry Michigan State team in round two, and a loss in that game could mean a three or four seed for the Boilers. 

Yet with a tournament championship, Purdue could vault themselves into a two seed very easily.

Ohio State Buckeyes

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Fans react while William Buford #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes shoots a free throw while playing the Michigan State Spartans on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Record (conference), seeding: 29-2 (16-2), No.1

First game: Bye, plays winner of Northwestern/Minnesota

What's to gain: With a shiny 29-2 record and a Big Ten regular season title in hand, there isn't much for the Buckeyes to gain in the Big Ten Tournament. 

However, there's plenty to lose in Indianapolis. 

With a loss to either Northwestern or Minnesota—both of which will absolutely need a win—Ohio State could potentially lose their now solid No.1 seed.

If the Buckeyes can run the table and complete the Big Ten duo in Indianapolis, it would be hard for the selection committee to give any team but Ohio State the No.1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament.