Where do we even begin in describing the Big Ten? The league’s best team, Purdue, has gone 3-4 since February 4. The rest of the league was a log jam. Just three games separated second place Northwestern with 12th place Wisconsin.
Was the Big Ten a highly competitive conference? Absolutely. Was it a mediocre conference too? Probably. And that mediocrity could give the conference trouble once they arrive in the NCAA Tournament.
But we’re here to identify the best candidates to cut down the nets Sunday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago. If the regular season is any indication, then picking a winner of this tournament could be the ultimate crap shoot.
Best 2023 Big Ten Tournament Bets
Let’s break down the 2023 Big Ten Tournament.
Below is the complete Big Ten Tournament bracket:
The 2023 #B1GMBBT bracket is set!
Who's taking home the ??? pic.twitter.com/8JzmrtN4UF
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) March 6, 2023
Below are Big Ten Tournament odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook:
- Purdue +145
- Indiana 6/1
- Michigan State 6/1
- Maryland 7/1
- Northwestern 10/1
- Illinois 13/1
- Iowa 18/1
- Michigan 18/1
- Penn State 25/1
- Rutgers 35/1
- Wisconsin 50/1
- Ohio State 75/1
- Nebraska 250/1
- Minnesota 500/1
If these odds tell you anything, it’s that this tournament is'with no other team besides Purdue shorter than 6/1. I wouldn’t be surprised if a team like Illinois won the entire tournament or bowed out in its first game. And I can say the same about a lot of teams, aside from the bottom four.
Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, Nebraska
It’s rare to see brand names such as Wisconsin and Ohio State playing on the first day of action. Wisconsin is still somehow on the NCAA Tournament bubble, so they can’t afford to lose to OSU in the tournament opener. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are a complete enigma but have played slightly better as of late. However, winning five games in five days is darn near impossible. So, I’m scratching these two, plus bottom-feeders Minnesota and Nebraska, off the list.
Iowa
I’m also going to toss aside fifth-seeded Iowa. The Hawkeyes are a good offensive team and a woeful defensive team. Iowa ranks 306th nationally in effective field goal percentage defense. They’ve also lost to both Wisconsin and Ohio State, who they’d face in their first game. If they get past that, they’ll see a Michigan State team that’ll be ready to exact revenge after the Hawkeyes pulled off a miraculous comeback against them two weeks ago.
Rutgers
I’m throwing out ninth-seeded Rutgers too. The Scarlet Knights seem like a sinking ship. They’ve gone 5-8 since January 15 and have lost some atrocious games to Minnesota and Nebraska recently. Rutgers’ lackluster showing in the season finale at home against Northwestern was telling. Rutgers is still a fierce defensive team, but their offense ranks 224th in adjusted efficiency over their last 10 games. It’ll be hard to win four games in as many days when you’re struggling to hit 60 points.
Michigan
Let’s say goodbye to eighth-seeded Michigan too. The Wolverines are a team I’ve never been a fan of this season. Hunter Dickinson just hasn’t improved much, and I don’t trust their young guards of Kobe Bufkin, Jett Howard, and Dug McDaniel. I’m also not a Juwan Howard in-game believer. Plus, Michigan’s biggest advantage — Dickinson — will be neutralized by Edey should they advance to face Purdue. Odds of 18/1 are way too short.
Maryland
Lastly, I have a hard time believing in sixth-seed Maryland. Coach Kevin Willard has his team playing better down the stretch, but the Terrapins are awfully hard to trust away from home. Maryland has won just two games away from home against two dumpster fires, Louisville and Minnesota. While Maryland’s defense travels, the offense falls off a cliff away from home. You can point at wins over quadrant mates Illinois, Northwestern, and Indiana. But all those came at home. At 7/1, the price just doesn’t seem right at all.
Purdue