Big Ten teams that will get into the NCAA tournament: Seven. The conference has five locks — Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin — and three that are floating at least close to either side of the bubble: Iowa, Illinois and the Gophers. The Illini should make it based on their strong early victories, and what they managed to do in the conference, even without a winning record. Minnesota, thanks to a bloated RPI and strength of schedule, seems safe regardless of what it does in the Big Ten tournament. Iowa is not far away, but it would take at least one or probably two victories this weekend. Beating Northwestern in the first round could happen, but beating Michigan State in the following game is unlikely.
Projected Big Ten tournament champ: Ohio State. The Big Ten has been all about Indiana, Michigan and Michigan State for most of the year, but it's the Buckeyes who are coming in with all the momentum. And while the Big Three could run into some matchup pitfalls, Ohio State's pathway looks as smooth as any.
AMELIA RAYNO
