2024 Big Ten Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The Big Ten Tournament.

With one of the best teams in college basketball at the helm in Purdue, the Big Ten Tournament holds a lot of talent that could shift the tide in who wins and loses.

2024 Big Ten Conference Awards

Player of the Year: Zach Edey, Purdue

Freshman of the Year: Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana

Transfer of the Year: Kel’el Ware, Indiana

Coach of the Year: Matt Painter, Purdue

First Team:

• G: Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois (21.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 BPG, 58.2 2P%)
• G: Jahmir Young, Maryland (20.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1,3 SPG, 90.7 FT%)
• G: Boo Buie, Northwestern (18.9 PPG, 5.2 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 43.1 3P%)
• F: Dawson Garcia, Minnesota (17.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.1 BPG)
• C: Zach Edey, Purdue (24.2 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 2.2 BPG, 61.9 FG%)

Second Team:

• G: Tyson Walker, Michigan State (18.4 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 37.2 3P%)
• G: Braeden Smith, Purdue (12.5 PPG, 5.8 APG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG)
• F: Malik Reneau, Indiana (15.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 57.0 FG%)
• F: Marcus Domask, Illinois (16.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 87.3 FT%)
• C: Kel’el Ware, Indiana (16.1 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.9 BPG, 44.7 3P%, 62.2 2P%)

Big Ten Tournament Simulation

First Round – Wed., Mar. 13

12. Maryland (15-16, 7-13) vs. 13. Rutgers (15-16, 7-13) – 6:30 p.m. on Peacock

Neither of these teams have been playing well recently. In fact, both are currently on three-game losing streaks. Interestingly enough, Maryland’s last win was a road win against Rutgers. I believe that Maryland will pick up right where they left off and defeat the Scarlet Knights. Despite their losing streak, only one game they lost out of those three was by double digits.

Bailee’s pick: 12. Maryland

11. Penn State (15-16, 9-11) vs. 14. Michigan (8-23, 3-17) – 25 minutes after game 1 on Peacock

Michigan has fallen so far from what it once was, and I don’t see that changing in this tournament. Penn State is statistically the better team and an obvious choice of a winner. They’ve also had some sneaky wins this season against some talented teams. They will surely not fall to the bottom of the barrel Michigan.

Bailee’s pick: 11. Penn State

Second Round – Thur., Mar. 14

8. Michigan State (18-13, 10-10) vs. 9. Minnesota (18-13, 9-11) – Noon on Big Ten Network

It’s hard to beat a team three times, but I feel it’s in the cards for Minnesota to do just that against Michigan State. This season we’ve seen the Spartans crack under pressure when faced with talented opponents. This team just doesn’t seem up to the challenge and doesn’t leave anyone with much hope that the month of March will change any of that.

Bailee’s pick: 9. Minnesota

5. Wisconsin (19-12, 11-9) vs. 12. Maryland – 25 minutes after game 3 on Big Ten Network

I think this is a pretty underrated matchup that people might not think about. When Maryland faced Wisconsin last month, they only lost by four points. You could argue that Wisconsin has had way more success this season and you’d be right. However, Wisconsin has struggled at times as well, especially this month. I think Maryland will ultimately pull off the upset because Wisconsin won’t be able to handle the moment.

Bailee’s pick: 12. Maryland

7. Iowa (18-13, 10-10) vs. 10. Ohio State (19-12, 9-11) – 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network

Ohio State has been hot lately. Like, a four-game win streak hot. While these wins have come against mediocre teams, I believe that they’re playing their best basketball when it counts the most. Iowa only faced the Buckeyes once this season, and won by two points. With the way Ohio State has been playing, I wouldn’t bet against them.

Bailee’s pick: 10. Ohio State

6. Indiana (18-13, 10-10) vs. 11. Penn State – 25 minutes after game 5 on Big Ten Network

Despite Penn State beating Indiana in both matchups this season, I think Indiana will come out of this one on top. The Hoosiers are currently on a four-game win streak; their last loss was against the Nittany Lions back in February. As long as Indiana can defend the three-point shot, they should be able to pull this one off.

Bailee’s pick: 6. Indiana

Quarterfinals – Fri., Mar. 15

1. Purdue (28-3, 17-3) vs. 9. Minnesota – Noon on Big Ten Network

The last time Purdue played Minnesota, it wasn’t pretty for the Golden Gophers. The Boilermakers outrebounded them by 17 which ultimately won them the game. Not many have been able to contain Zach Edey in the paint, and I’m not sure if anyone on Minnesota’s roster is capable of doing it either. Purdue should win this one pretty handily.

Bailee’s pick: 1. Purdue

4. Northwestern (21-10, 12-8) vs. 12. Maryland – 25 minutes after game 7 on Big Ten Network

Maryland’s run will unfortunately stop here when they face Northwestern. Maryland struggled defensively against Northwestern their last time out and allowed Nick Martinelli to score 27 points – a game-high for both teams. Whether it’s Martinelli or someone else who gets hot, I don’t think Maryland will be able to combat those second-chance points, just like the last time.

Bailee’s pick: 4. Northwestern

2. Illinois (23-8, 14-6) vs. 10. Ohio State – 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network

Illinois has cemented itself as a strong second seed in this tournament, as well as a strong top 25 team for the majority of the season. They should continue that into this tournament because I think they’d love another shot at playing Purdue and getting a win against them for once this season. Ohio State struggled to stop Marcus Domask and Terrence Shannon Jr. earlier this season, and I fear they still will struggle especially against a hungry Illinois team.

Bailee’s pick: 2. Illinois

3. Nebraska (22-9, 12-8) vs. 6. Indiana – 25 minutes after game 9 on Big Ten Network

While Indiana is very capable of winning this game, Nebraska’s overall talent will shut them down. In their last matchup, Indiana turned the ball over one too many times to pull this one off. Nebraska has had many impressive wins this season, and it seems like this game will just be another team to move past in order to get a well-awaited matchup versus Illinois.

Bailee’s pick: 3. Nebraska

Semifinals – Sat., Mar. 16

1. Purdue vs. 4. Northwestern – 1 p.m. on CBS

The drama between these two teams should be enough to draw anyone in. Northwestern upset Purdue in their first go around this season but fell to the Boilermakers in overtime in their second matchup. Northwestern will definitely be hungry to avenge themselves, but will that be enough to keep Purdue at bay? Boo Buie will have to play lights out in order for a win, but Zach Edey has played great offensively in both matchups. Purdue seems like the safe choice here.

Bailee’s pick: 1. Purdue

2. Illinois vs. vs. 3. Nebraska – 25 minutes after game 11 on CBS

Nebraska faced a crushing blow at the hands of Illinois back in February when they lost in overtime in Champaign. The Fighting Illini were able to out-rebound the Cornhuskers by 14, but defensively they did force 13 turnovers. Defense will be key for Nebraska to win this one, but if Illinois is firing on all cylinders, they’ll be a tough team to beat. I’d take Illinois just because of their offensive talent.

Bailee’s pick: 2. Illinois

Championship – Sun., Mar. 17

1. Purdue vs. 2. Illinois – 3:30 p.m. on CBS

If this game isn’t already on your radar, it should be. In their last game just one week ago, Purdue defeated Illinois by six points on the road. This was their second time beating the Fighting Illini this season, but I believe Illinois will be ready to avenge themselves. At the end of the day, we all know that Purdue will most likely be a one-seed in the Big Dance. For Illinois, this win would just mean more. I think Illinois is the hungry dog in this one, and they’ll be running faster to get that hardware.

Bailee’s pick: 2. Illinois