The Big Ten Bubble

 

With only a few Big Ten regular season games remaining, all of the pundits, including this incredibly biased one, has started talking about the NCAA tournament. Who’s in, who’s out, and who still has the room to sneak either way.

Michigan State 22-5, 12-3

 

This is still the only team from the Big Ten that right now is playing like a Final Four team. Look for them to be as high as a #2 seed if they can win a few more games.

 

Illinois 23-6, 11-5

 

This is the most cohesive team in the Big Ten. Their ceiling isn’t as high as Michigan State on the talent level, but Bruce Webber has this team functioning like Swiss clock. I’d expect a #3 or #4 seed.

 

Purdue 21-7, 10-5

 

This team is just stubborn. You watch them play, and you have no idea how this bunch is beating you, but they are. Purdue is also in line for a #3 or #4 seed. This kind of team always makes into the Sweet 16. They don’t have the talent to go further than that, but there is a “this team will not be denied” vibe to Purdue.

 

Ohio State 18-8, 8-7

 

The Buckeyes are in, almost. I’m sure Thad Matta will want to get his customary 20 wins, but it would take the Buckeyes dropping their last 3 games to be out. If they can get past that 20-win mark and up to 22 or 23 even, the Buckeyes could be looking at a #5 or #6 seed.

 

Minnesota 20-8, 8-8

 

The Gophers have dropped 3 of 4 lately, but if they beat the Badgers and Michigan they’ll be in. This team has shown weaknesses, and is at best a #7 or #8 seed if they can get it.

 

 

Penn State 19-9, 8-7

 

They would be as close to the tourney as the Buckeyes, but they don’t have the quality wins the Buckeyes do. Penn State will need to be Illinois in their second to last game, or get a big win in the Big Ten tournament to be win. This team could have 20 wins, and still not get in.

 

Wisconsin 17-10, 8-7

 

The Badgers need to get up to 21 wins as well. They had an awful middle section to their season, but they’ve been hot enough lately to almost make up for it.

Michigan 18-11, 8-8

 

The Wolverines need to win out the regular season to get in. They’re probably the most underachieving team in the Big Ten, with two of the top 5 or 6 players in the league, they should already be at 20 wins.