Big Ten: Little love shown to the Big Ten

The architects for this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament must not think much of the Big Ten – while Wisconsin (No. 3 seed), Michigan State (No. 5), Purdue (No. 6) and Indiana (No. 8) were all asked to dance, Ohio State was left out in the cold.

No one can really be surprised about the Buckeyes; having lost to Michigan State in their first game of the conference tournament, Thad Matta’s club had virtually no prayer. The real show of disrespect, however, was in where the four qualifiers were seeded.

Consider that Wisconsin won the regular season conference title, then waltzed through the tournament. On top of its strong finish, Wisconsin was the eighth ranked team in AP poll and sixth in the ESPN poll before winning the Big Ten tournament. All of that and a No. 3 seed!?

Indiana is the field’s most talented No. 8. For as much as tournament qualifiers failed to reward Wisconsin, they also were probably too harsh on the Hoosiers after an early tournament exit.

Now it’s up to these four teams to prove the naysayers wrong. Here’s a look at where each Big Ten team position in the NCAA tournament field:

(Midwest) No. 3 seed: Wisconsin (29-4)
First game: Cal State Fullerton (Thursday, 9:40 p.m.)

What to know: Wisconsin is one of the country’s most balanced teams. They rebound, they defend, they swing the basketball well to all of their available scorers – in short, they define ‘team basketball.’ That said, the Badgers are very beatable, and will need to face a string of favorable matchups in order to go far in this tournament. As far as expectations go, there is no ceiling or basement for Wisconsin – nothing would be a surprise

Where they need help: The toughest obstacle in front of Bo Ryan’s team could be second round opponent USC. While many peg the Trojans as a team ripe for a letdown, the athletic squad is also a dangerous matchup for Ryan’s defensive-minded club. Should USC get upset in the first round, or somehow self-destruct in round two, the Badgers could very well end up in San Antonio – no kidding.

(South) No. 5 seed: Michigan State (25-8)
First game: Temple (Thursday, 12:30 p.m.)

What to know: If Drew Neitzel gets hot from the perimeter, and so long as Raymar Morgan and Kalin Lucas continue to produce points, the Spartans should be deemed a threat to the rest of the teams in the South bracket.

Where they need help: The Spartans’ second round opponent, Pittsburgh, is fresh off a Big East tournament title. The Panthers have dealt with injuries all year, and they’re a candidate to be the No. 4 seed to stumble in the opening round this year. With a little help from Pittsburgh, Michigan State can make it to the Sweet 16, but probably no further.

(West) No. 6 seed: Purdue (24-8)
First game: Baylor (Thursday, 2:50 p.m.)

What to know: As part of arguably the most stacked eight-team bracket in the field, Purdue has the toughest road of the Big Ten squads to qualify. Still, Matt Painter’s young lineup has defied the odds all season. With fantastic freshmen Robbie Hummel and E’Twuan Moore, the Boilermakers should be able to compete with just about any backcourt they happen to come across.

Where they need help: Oh, let me count the ways. Purdue’s likely second round opponent, Xavier, is a terrific club. Should the Boilermakers somehow knock them off they’d then need to beat a disciplined (and battle tested) Duke squad. Purdue fans need to start saying their prayers before bedtime.

(East) No. 8 seed: Indiana (25-7)
First game: Arkansas (Friday, 9:40 p.m.)

What to know: D.J. White is a seasoned college player, and freshman Eric Gordon plays like one. As talented as those two Hoosiers are, though, they are no match for North Carolina’s deep and talented bunch. That said, I’m sure the Tar Heels aren’t pleased about the thought of seeing Gordon and White that soon into the dance, either.

Where they need help: The Hoosiers’ help must come from within. Gordon and White are superb, sure, but for this team to up-end the mighty Tar Heels it must receive Grade A performances from Armon Bassett and key reserve Jordan Crawford, and a big night on the glass from Jamarcus Ellis. No two-man team can beat North Carolina, but Indiana’s ‘supporting cast’ could come to the rescue.

Big Ten Tournament Picks

Wisconsin will beat Cal State Fullerton (round 1), will lose to USC (rd 2)
Michigan State will beat Temple (rd 1), will lose to Pittsburgh (rd 2)
Purdue will beat Baylor (rd 1), will lose to Xavier (rd 2)
Indiana will beat Arkansas (rd 1), will lose to North Carolina (rd 2)

Mike Beacom’s predicted Final Four:

East – North Carolina (No. 1)
Midwest – Kansas (No. 1)
South – Texas (No. 2)
West – Xavier (No. 3)

National Championship – Kansas over Xavier

2008 Big Ten Tournament Recap

Many questioned whether Wisconsin had enough gas to grind out three straight wins in the conference tournament after winning the outright regular season title. In the first round the Badgers shut down Michigan, limiting the Wolverines to a ridiculously low 34 points. Then Wisconsin clipped Michigan State, 65-63, and crushed Illinois in the title game. Who doesn’t believe this team is for real now?

The state of Indiana was swept in the second round of the tournament, as second seeded Purdue and third seeded Indiana lost to No. 10 Illinois and No. 7 Minnesota, respectively. It would have been interesting to see where the Hoosiers and Boilermakers would have landed in the Big Dance had they both just won their first game of the conference tournament.

Before its second round matchup with Indiana, the Gophers were treated to a pep talk from Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy. Looks like Dungy’s words went a long way. A short time later Minnesota had upset the Hoosiers (on their home floor) and was headed for the semifinals. Maybe Dungy has a career waiting for him after football as a motivational speaker.

Top Player: Shaun Pruitt, C, Illinois

Wisconsin’s Joe Krabbenhoft would make a fine selection, but Pruitt almost helped the Illini do the unthinkable. The 6-foot-10 senior came through for the Illini, averaging 13 points and nine rebounds in each of his team’s four tournament games. Against Purdue, the big man made 7 of 9 attempts; against Minnesota he was six-of-seven from the line and recorded three blocks. Pruitt was the one consistent force for an Illinois team that came much closer to an NCAA tournament berth than anyone could have dreamed a week ago.

Wisconsin-based writer Mike Beacom covers the Big Ten for Athlon

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