2023 Big Ten Basketball Tournament: Updated projected seeds, schedule, magic numbers

With the final weekend of the Big Ten’s regular season approaching, we have a decent idea of how the conference tournament will look next week in Chicago. With that said, a glut of teams near the top and middle of the pack means a lot will be on the line during the final matchups on Saturday and Sunday.

Current Standings

1. Purdue Boilermakers – 25-5 (14-5)
2. Illinois Fighiting Illini – 20-10, (11-8)
3. Indiana Hoosiers – 20-10 (11-8)
4. Maryland Terrapins – 20-10 (11-8)
5. Northwestern Wildcats – 20-10 (11-8)
6. Iowa Hawkeyes – 19-11 (11-8)
7. Michigan Wolverines – 17-13 (11-8)
8. Michigan State Spartans – 18-11 (10-8)
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights – 18-12 (10-9)
10. Penn State Nittany Lions – 18-12 (9-10)
11. Wisconsin Badgers – 16-13 (8-11)
12. Nebraska Cornhuskers – 15-15 (8-11)
13. Ohio State Buckeyes – 13-17 (5-14)
14. Minnesota Golden Gophers – 8-20 (2-16)

Although Purdue had already locked up the No. 1 seed, the Boilermakers were on upset alert again last night at Wisconsin. With the help of some late free throws, though, they were able to escape Madison. Meanwhile, Michigan’s postseason hopes may have gone up in smoke after their 91-87 double-overtime loss at Illinois. Hunter Dickinson did everything he could to get them over the line but Terrence Shannon Jr. and some late heroics from Matthew Mayer were too much to overcome.

As of Friday, there’s a six-way tie for second place in the Big Ten at 11-8. Michigan State had to cancel a game or else they’d be right there as well at 10-8. The Spartans will join Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Northwestern, Iowa, and Michigan as teams who will let the chips fall where they may for the No. 2 seed after this weekend’s results.

One team that put themselves a game out of that conversation, for now, was Rutgers. After leading by 10 with a minute to go at Minnesota, they had a complete meltdown in the final 60 seconds that ended in a game-winning three-pointer from Jamison Battle to win it for the Gophers. That now has the Knights playing for a seed anywhere from No. 4 to No. 7. At the bottom, that also leaves Penn State, Ohio State, and Minnesota essentially locked in while Nebraska and Wisconsin will see who breaks their tie.

Big Ten’s Weekend Schedule

Saturday

• Ohio State @ Michigan State – 12 p.m. on ESPN

Sunday

• Maryland @ Penn State – 12 p.m. on BTN
• Illinois @ Purdue – 12:30 p.m. on FOX
• Nebraska @ Iowa – 2 p.m. on BTN
• Michigan @ Indiana – 4:30 p.m. on CBS
• Northwestern @ Rutgers – 7:30 p.m. on BTN
• Wisconsin @ Minnesota – 7:30 p.m. on FS1

Big Ten Tournament Schedule

First Round: Wed., March 8

Game 1: No. 12 seed vs. No. 13 seed | 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN (Big Ten Network)/FOX Sports App)

Game 2: No. 11 seed vs. No. 14 seed | 25 minutes after Game 1(BTN/FOX Sports App)

Second Round: Thurs., March 9

Game 3: No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed | 12:00 p.m. ET (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Game 4: No. 5 seed vs. Game 1 winner | 25 minutes after Game 1 (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Game 5: No. 7 seed vs. 10 seed | 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Game 6: No. 6 seed vs. Game 2 winner | 25 minutes after Game 5 (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Quarterfinals: Fri., March 10

Game 7: No. 1 seed vs. Game 3 winner | 12:00 p.m. ET (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Game 8: No. 4 seed vs. Game 4 winner | 25 minutes after Game 7 (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Game 9: No. 2 seed vs. Game 5 winner | 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Game 10: No. 3 seed vs. Game 6 winner | 25 minutes after Game 9 (BTN/FOX Sports App)

Semifinals: Sat., March 11

Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner | 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)

Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner | 25 minutes after Game 11 (CBS/Paramount+)

Championship Game: Sun., March 12 

Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner | 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+)