NCAAB Conference Tournament Betting Preview: Big Ten

Mar 08, 2022

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

It wasn't too long ago the Big Ten was viewed as a bottom-tier Power 6 conference. In 2018, the Big Ten was ranked fifth-best in conference adjusted efficiency metric, slightly ahead of the Pac-12 (per KenPom).

In the past four years, the Big Ten has re-affirmed their elite status among the nation's best conferences, ranking second, first, first and third this year in that same KenPom metric.

The Wisconsin Badgers shocked the conference by earning a share of the Big Ten title with Illinois at 15-5. The Badgers were projected to finish 10th in what was viewed as a rebuilding year. Wisconsin ranks 282nd in experience, yet has found great success on the backbone of a roster dominated by freshman and sophomores.

Michigan was the most disappointing Big Ten team, finishing seventh after a preseason projection of first overall. Head coach Juwan Howard is now available to return after serving a five-game suspension for striking a Wisconsin assistant coach in the head.

The 11-14 seeds start on Wednesday before first-round action begins in full on Thursday morning. The games are played on five consecutive days, with the eventual champion earning the Big Ten crown on Sunday.

2022 NCAA Tournament Betting Previews

Big Ten Conference Tournament Bracket

Big Ten Conference Tournament History

Michigan State has won six Big Ten Conference Tournaments, which began at the United Center in 1998. The Spartans have won four of the last nine tournament titles, including three since 2014.

The Big Ten Tournament will be held in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Last year featured a thrilling 91-88 overtime win by No. 2 see Illinois over No. 5 seed Ohio State. The 15-team tournament is the largest conference tournament in college basketball.