Big Ten women's basketball tournament scenarios: Monday update
Ohio State is the No. 1 seed, regardless of what happens this week.
We’ve reached the final week of the Big Ten regular season. Ohio State knows its path to the conference tournament championship. And for the most part, so does Rutgers and Northwestern.
But plenty to be decided.
How the bracket looks as of Monday and what to watch for through Sunday’s games when all 14 teams will be in action.
FIRST ROUND
No. 12 Purdue vs. No. 13 Northwestern (March 6, 6:30 p.m., Peacock): The Boilermakers can still move up, maybe as high as eighth, but any upward movement likely lands them in the No. 10 spot. Must win at least one game – against Penn State and/or at Michigan – and can finish even with Wisconsin but needs to be ahead of Minnesota. The Wildcats are No. 13 or 14, depending on the regular-season finale against Rutgers.
No. 11 Minnesota vs. No. 14 Rutgers (March 6, 9 p.m., Peacock): It’s hard for the Golden Gophers to avoid Day 1 of the tournament facing Iowa and Penn State since they need two wins and two Wisconsin losses to escape the basement. If the Scarlet Knights beat Northwestern on Sunday, they’ll move to No. 13.
SECOND ROUND
No. 8 Illinois vs. No. 9 Penn State (March 7, 12:30 p.m., BTN): The Fighting Illini tentatively hold this spot, but they close at Michigan State and against Nebraska. Unless there’s a rash of upsets, Illinois should avoid the first day of the tournament. The Lady Lions have gone from an NCAA tournament team to outside the bubble. Like the Illini, it's a safe bet to start the tournament on Thursday unless surprises happen.
No. 5 Michigan State vs. Purdue/Northwestern (March 7, 3 p.m., BTN): Chasing Nebraska for the No. 4 spot but will need two wins and a Huskers loss to Illinois to receive a double bye.
No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 Wisconsin (March 7, 6:30 p.m., BTN): The Terrapins must finish ahead of Michigan to move up one spot but winning two this week is a challenge, especially playing at Indiana. They should win at least one. By losing the season series to Purdue, the Badgers are in a tough spot playing Maryland and Michigan State. Two losses push Wisconsin to Day 1, but a lot depends on what the Boilermakers do.
No. 6 Michigan vs. Minnesota/Rutgers (March 7, 9 p.m., BTN): The Wolverines will likely fall in the Nos. 6-8 range, regardless of the results this week. Two wins keep them at No. 6, and two losses drop them to the 8/9 game. A split gives them a 9-9 record and an NCAA tournament bid.
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Ohio State vs. Illinois/Penn State (March 8, 12:30 p.m., BTN): The Buckeyes have clinched a share of the regular-season title and the top seed. They can win the outright championship on Wednesday against Michigan or Sunday at Iowa.
No. 4 Nebraska vs. Michigan State/Purdue/Northwestern (March 8, 3 p.m., BTN): Beat Illinois and the Huskers grab the last double-bye spot.
No. 2 Iowa vs. Maryland/Wisconsin (March 8, 6:30 p.m., BTN): The Hawkeyes will be the No. 2 or the No. 3, depending on what happens against Ohio State on Sunday, assuming they beat Minnesota. Could force a tie if the Buckeyes falter against the Wolverines but can’t earn the No. 1 seed.
No. 3 Indiana vs. Michigan/Minnesota/Rutgers (March 8, 9 p.m., BTN): It’s not impossible for the Hoosiers and the Hawkeyes to trade places after Sunday. If Iowa loses once and Indiana beats Northwestern and Maryland, the Hoosiers move to No. 2.
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SEMIFINALS
March 9
2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (BTN)
CHAMPIONSHIP
March 10
Noon (CBS)
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
TUESDAY
Indiana at Northwestern, 7 p.m. (BTN)
WEDNESDAY
Penn State at Purdue, 7 p.m. (B1G+)
Michigan at Ohio State, 7 p.m. (Peacock)
Iowa at Minnesota, 9 p.m. (Peacock)
THURSDAY
Wisconsin at Maryland, 6 p.m. (BTN)
Illinois at Michigan State, 8 p.m. (BTN)
SUNDAY
Iowa at Ohio State, noon (FOX)
Minnesota at Penn State, 1 p.m. (B1G+)
Michigan State at Wisconsin, 2 p.m. (BTN)
Northwestern at Rutgers, 2 p.m. (B1G+)
Maryland at Indiana, 3 p.m. (Peacock)
Nebraska at Illinois, 4 p.m. (BTN)
Purdue at Michigan, 7 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)