Big Ten Tournament Predictions

The Big Ten regular season has finally wilted and died, and the Big Ten Tournament is set to begin this Thursday in Indianapolis. Here are the final regular season standings:

1. Michigan State: 15-3
2 (tie). Illinois: 11-7
2 (tie). Purdue: 11-7
4 (tie). Ohio State: 10-8
4 (tie). Penn State: 10-8
4 (tie). Wisconsin: 10-8
7 (tie). Michigan: 9-9
7 (tie). Minnesota: 9-9
9. Northwestern: 8-10
10. Iowa: 5-13
11. Indiana: 1-17

And here is the Big Ten Tournament bracket, with my predictions.

FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 12
No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 9 Northwestern (BTN, noon). Northwestern
No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 10 Iowa (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.). Michigan
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Indiana (ESPN2, 5 p.m.). Indiana
QUARTERFINALS
Friday, March 13
No. 1 Michigan State vs. Northwestern (ESPN, noon). Northwestern
No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Ohio State (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.). Ohio State
No. 2 Illinois vs. Michigan (BTN, 6:30 p.m.). Michigan
No. 3 Purdue vs. Indiana (BTN, 9 p.m.). Indiana
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, March 14
Northwestern vs. Ohio State (CBS, 1:40 p.m.). Northwestern
Michigan vs. Indiana (CBS, 4:05 p.m.). Indiana
CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, March 15
Northwestern vs. Indiana (CBS, 3:30 p.m.). INDIANA.

And now that the mescaline has worn off, here are my actual predictions.

FIRST ROUND
Thursday, March 12
No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 9 Northwestern (BTN, noon). Northwestern
No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 10 Iowa (ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.). Michigan
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Indiana (ESPN2, 5 p.m.). Penn State
QUARTERFINALS
Friday, March 13
No. 1 Michigan State vs. Northwestern (ESPN, noon). Michigan State
No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Ohio State (ESPN, 2:30 p.m.). Ohio State
No. 2 Illinois vs. Michigan (BTN, 6:30 p.m.). Illinois
No. 3 Purdue vs. Penn State (BTN, 9 p.m.). Penn State
SEMIFINALS
Saturday, March 14
Michigan State vs. Ohio State (CBS, 1:40 p.m.). Michigan State
Illinois vs. Penn State (CBS, 4:05 p.m.). Illinois
CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, March 15
Michigan State vs. Illinois (CBS, 3:30 p.m.). MICHIGAN STATE.