2019 Big Ten Tournament Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2019 Big Ten Tournament. The tournament will be held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

First Round

3/13- (13) Nebraska (16-15; 6-14) vs (12) Rutgers (14-16; 7-13)- 6:30, BTN: The Cornhuskers faltered down the stretch meanwhile the Scarlet Knights have put on some impressive performances. Give me Steve Pikiell's team to advance as Tim Miles might be handed a pink slip.

Pick: Rutgers

3/13- (14) Northwestern (13-18; 4-16) vs (11) Illinois (11-20; 7-13)- 9:00, BTN: These two teams have been disappointments this season, but give me the better coached team in the Illini.

Pick: Illinois

Second Round

3/14- (9) Indiana (17-14; 8-12) vs (8) Ohio State (18-12; 8-12)- 12:30, BTN: The Hoosiers have been a huge disappointment in conference play meanwhile they've won big games throughout the season which has kept them in play for an at-large. The Buckeyes are a team that has overachieved this season. Perhaps the toughest call of the tournament, give me the Hoosiers led by Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan.

Pick: Indiana

3/14- (12) Rutgers vs (5) Maryland (22-9; 13-7) 3:00, BTN: A nice run for the Scarlet Knights comes to an end against a more superior Terrapins team led by Bruno Fernando.

Pick: Maryland

3/14- (10) Penn State (14-17; 7-13) vs (7) Minnesota (19-12; 9-11)- 7:00, BTN: The Nittany Lions have exceeded expectations this season, but the unfortunate thing is that Pat Chambers will probably be let go if they lose this game, which I believe is the case as the Golden Gophers will win this game as they ensure themselves an at-large bid.

Pick: Minnesota

3/14- (11) Illinois vs (6) Iowa (21-10; 10-10)- 9:30, BTN: The Hawkeyes have had a disastrous finish to their season and theres a chance they drop to perhaps Dayton if they lose this game, which I believe will be the case.

Pick: Illinois

Quarterfinal

3/15- (9) Indiana vs (1) Michigan State (15-6; 16-4)- 12:30, BTN: The Hoosiers swept the Spartans in the regular season, but the Spartans will get revenge led by their core of Cassius Winston and Nick Ward.

Pick: Michigan State

3/15- (5) Maryland vs (4) Wisconsin (22-9; 14-6)- 3:00, BTN: This should be a great game, but give me Ethan Happ and the Badgers here to advance.

Pick: Wisconsin

3/15- (7) Minnesota vs (2) Purdue (23-8; 16-4)- 7:00, BTN: The Golden Gophers will be in regardless of what happens here, so give me Carsen Edwards and the Boiler Makers to win this one.

Pick: Purdue

3/15- (11) Illinois vs (3) Michigan (26-5; 15-5)- 9:30, BTN: The Wolverines are the more superior team as they'll end a nice run by the Illini.

Pick: Michigan

Semifinal

3/16- (4) Wisconsin vs (1) Michigan State- 1:00, CBS: This is going to be some game. The better team is the Spartans as they'll continue a compelling 1-seed case as the Badgers seem destined for a 4 or 5 seed.

Pick: Michigan State

3/16- (3) Michigan vs (2) Purdue- 3:30, CBS: Here's another phenomenal game in the Semi's. The best player on the court will be Carsen Edwards, but the better team is the Wolverines led by Jorfan Poole and Charles Matthews.

Pick: Michigan

Championship

3/17- (3) Michigan vs (1) Michigan State- 3:30, CBS: The conferences best rivalry takes on for a third time this season in the conference title game. John Beilein thrives in big games in March, but I think led by the Conference Player of the Year in Winston and a motivated coach in Tom Izzo, the Spartans cut down the nets in Chicago with hopes of sneaking on the 1-line.

Pick: Michigan State