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2023 Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics

Dates

• Wednesday, March 8 (first round)
• Thursday, March 9 (second round)
• Friday, March 10 (quarterfinals)
• Saturday, March 11 (semifinals)
• Sunday, March 12 (championship)

Format

Traditional bracket

Site

The Big Ten Tournament is back in my home of Chicago, as the United Center continues to alternate with the Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as the host site.

Downloadable Bracket

Schedule

All times are p.m. Eastern unless noted. Games marked with an asterisk (*) are the second of a doubleheader, so the tip time is approximate.

First Round (Wed., March 8)

BTN will air both games.

Game 1: (13) Ohio State 65, (12) Wisconsin (17-14, 9-11) 57
Game 2: (14) Minnesota 78, (11) Nebraska (16-16, 9-11) 75

Second Round (Thurs., March 9)

Game 3: (9) Rutgers 62, (8) Michigan (17-15, 11-9) 50
Game 4: (13) Ohio State 73, (5) Iowa (19-13, 11-9) 69
Game 5: (10) Penn State 79, (7) Illinois (20-12, 11-9) 76
Game 6: (14) Minnesota (9-22, 2-17) 54, (6) Maryland 70

Quarterfinals (Fri., March 10)

Game 7: (9) Rutgers (19-14, 10-10) 65, (1) Purdue 70
Game 8: (13) Ohio State 68, (4) Michigan State (19-12, 11-8) 58
Game 9: (10) Penn State 67, (2) Northwestern (21-11, 12-8) 65 (OT)
Game 10: (6) Maryland (21-12, 11-9) 60, (3) Indiana 70

Semifinals (Sat., March 11)

Game 11: (13) Ohio State (16-19, 5-15) 66, (1) Purdue 80
Game 12: (10) Penn State 77, (3) Indiana (22-11, 12-8) 73

Championship (Sun., March 12)

Game 13: (10) Penn State (22-13, 10-10) 65, (1) PURDUE (29-5, 15-5) 67

Mayhem Potential

Data originally posted by Bob Vetrone Jr. on Twitter in 2020 with my own additions for the seasons beyond.

Seven of the last 11 Big Ten Tournaments have been won by either the 1 or 2 seed, with the 4, 6, 7, and all seeds from 9 down being shut out.

• 1 seed (4): 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019
• 2 seed (3): 2013, 2016, 2021
• 5 seed (2): 2018, 2022
• 3 seed (1); 2014
• 8 seed (1): 2017

NCAA Bid Totals Since 2011

• 9 Bids (2): 2021 (8-9 record, 14 teams), 2022 (9-9, 14 teams)
• 8 bids (1): 2019 (13-8 record, 14 teams)
• 7 bids (5): 2011 (7-7 record, 11 teams), 2013 (14-7 record, 12 teams), 2015 (12-7, 14 teams), 2016 (8-7 record, 14 teams), 2017 (8-7 record, 14 teams)
• 6 bids (2): 2012 (11-6 record, 12 teams), 2014 (10-6 record, 12 teams)
• 4 bids (1): 2018 (3-9 record, 14 teams)

The Big Ten has placed 9 teams in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments, but has just 17 total wins to show for it. The conference should get another chance in 2023, with nine being the most likely haul, with chances for that number to drop to eight or rise to 10 depending on what happens between Wednesday and Sunday.

Last Conference Tournament Championships

Iowa: 2022 (5 seed)
Illinois: 2021 (2 seed)
Michigan State: 2019 (1 seed)
Michigan: 2018 (5 seed)
Wisconsin: 2015 (1 seed)
Ohio State: 2013 (2 seed)
Purdue: 2009 (3 seed)
Maryland: 2004 (6 seed, ACC)
Nebraska: 1994 (4 seed, Big Eight)
Penn State: 1991 (3 seed, Atlantic 10)
Rutgers: 1989 (3 seed, Atlantic 10)

Remember the Big Ten Tournament only started in 1998, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that long-term members Indiana, Minnesota, and Northwestern haven’t picked up a single conference tournament title (though it is a mild shock in the Hoosiers’ case). Maryland, Nebraska, Penn State, and Rutgers all won titles in previous conferences.