Big Ten: In and Out

With the conference tournament right around the corner that can only mean one thing....March Madness is here. Now it is also time to see who will make it out of the Big Ten and head to the big dance. Or who will be hosting a home game in a couple weeks...in the NIT.

Duh! They're In

Ohio State

The Buckeyes are obviously in, and should be a number one seed. If not the overall number one seed in the tournament. With the Buckeyes having perhaps one of the best well-rounded teams in the tournament they should be the early favorite to win it all. So as much as it may pain Badger fans...you may want to take them all the way in your bracket.

Purdue

The train makers are steaming they're way to the big dance without question. The loss in the regular season finale may hurt their seed a little bit, but it won't hurt that much. Not to mention a win in the Big Ten tournament could restore any of that damage, and may push the Boilermakers up to the number one line.

Wisconsin

Bucky is having a relatively surprising season. Not that people didn't expect to see the Badgers in the big dance, but their seed may be the surprise. A win in the Big Ten tournament may bolt Bucky to the number two line, but regardless of what happens in the conference tournament the Badgers are in. The only question is where will they be seeded.

Still Dancing...But Not By Much...

Illinois

The Fighting Illini have been skating around on the bubble for what seems like forever, but unlike last year they should be in. Their strength of schedule is what should help them get in regardless of the lack of quality road wins. Give the Illini the benefit of the doubt to get in probably on the six seed line, but maybe an eight. A couple wins in the Big Ten tournament could help with that though...

Michigan

The Wolverines may be the surprise of the second half of the Big Ten season. After starting 1-6 in the conference the men from Michigan have quietly snuck into the big dance, and the win over Michigan State last weekend may have put them in. With the Wolverines taking on Illinois on Friday in the tournament they will have the chance to solidify their spot in the tournament, and perhaps improve their seeding. Count on Michigan making the tournament, but they remain the last of the Big Ten teams almost guaranteed to make the dance.

Bubble Bursting?

Michigan State

It seems like the Spartans have been sitting on the bubble for most of the season. With a strong strength of schedule Michigan State may save themselves despite lacking quality wins. But a loss to Iowa may doom the Spartans for good. If they win against Iowa you can assume they are in, but two wins in the conference tournament would cement their bid. Still sitting firmly on the bubble put the Spartans in right now, but nothing is guaranteed.

Win or You're Out

Northwestern

Perhaps the most disappointing team this season, at least in the historical context, has been the Wildcats. After losing Kevin Coble to "retirement" the Wildcats looked to lose a step, but they did play last season without him. Now after an average season the Wildcats have only one option in terms of making the tournament...run the table. A conference tournament win would lock up the spot in the tournament with the automatic win.

Minnesota

Northwestern may be the most disappointing....if it wasn't for the Gophers. At the beginning of the season Minnesota was not just an NCAA tournament team, but an outside pick to win the conference. Now the Spartans are backing their way out of the season. Perhaps even out of the NIT...It's either win or go home for the Gophers, and their is no doubt about that.

It's Complicated

Penn State

The Nitany Lions have been relatively surprising this year with wins over Michigan State, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Now Penn State pretty much needs to win the conference tournament to get in because of their week schedule, and bad losses. On the other hand they could at least make a run to the championship game, and still have a shot at making the tournament, but don't count on it.

Maybe Next Year...

Indiana

The Hoosiers have improved all season, and may be a threat next year to make the tournament. Even turn some heads in the conference next season as well, but all they have left is the tournament. With the only way the Hoosiers can make the tournament being to run the table they still have a shot, but it is a long shot. One that even Vegas wouldn't put odds on...

Iowa

Just like Indiana the Hawkeyes have improved all season, and could be a threat next season. With a little bit of talent, and some good coaching the Hawkeyes are continuing to be a threat to make an upset, but it would requite and upset run to the title to make the dance. But they could still be a spoiler playing Michigan State. Who they already upset this season by twenty points at home.