Big Ten Predictions

Is it too early to chart IU's improbable run through the Big Ten Tournament to an NCAA automatic bid? I think not.

As I've done in years past, in the coming weeks I'll be making my predictions for the remaining Big Ten games and Big Ten Tournament seedings.

Current standings:
1 (tie). Michigan State (10-3)
Remaining games: at IU (W), OSU (W), at PUR (L), PSU (W), MICH (W)
1 (tie). Ohio State (10-3)
Remaining games: PUR (W), at MSU (L), at PSU (W), MICH (W), ILL (W)
3. Purdue (9-3)
Remaining games: at OSU (L), ILL (W), at MINN (L), MSU (W), IU (W), at PSU (W)
4 (tie). Illinois (9-4)
Remaining games: at PUR (L), at MICH (W), MINN (W), at OSU (L), WIS (W)
4 (tie). Wisconsin (9-4)
Remaining games: at MINN (L), NW (W), at IU (W), IOWA (W), at ILL (L)
6. Northwestern (6-7)
Remaining games: PSU (W), at WIS (L), IOWA (W), at PSU (W), at IU (L)
7 (tie). Minnesota (5-7)
Remaining games: WIS (W), IU (W), PUR (W), at ILL (L), at MICH (W), IOWA (W)
7 (tie). Michigan (5-7)
Remaining games: at IOWA (L), PSU (W), ILL (L), at OSU (L), MINN (L), at MSU (L)
9. Indiana (3-9)
Remaining games: MSU (L), at MINN (L), WIS (L), at IOWA (W), at PUR (L), NW (W)
10. Iowa (3-10)
Remaining games: MICH (W), at NW (L), IU (L), at WIS (L), at MINN (L)
11. Penn State (0-12)
Remaining games: at NW (L), at MICH (L), OSU (L), NW (L), at MSU (L), PUR (L)

Predicted final standings and seedings for the Big Ten Tournament (ties are broken per Big Ten tiebreaking procedures):

1. Michigan State (14-4) (1-0 record vs. OSU)
2. Ohio State (14-4)
3. Purdue (13-5)
4. Illinois (12-6) (2-0 record vs. Wisconsin)
5. Wisconsin (12-6)
6. Minnesota (10-8)
7. Northwestern (9-9)
8. Michigan (6-12)
9. Indiana (5-13)
10. Iowa (4-14)
11. Penn State (0-18)

Here's how the Big Ten Tournament should go down:

First round:
IU over Michigan
Northwestern over Iowa
Minnesota over Penn State

Quarterfinals:
IU over MSU
Wisconsin over Illinois
OSU over Northwestern
Minnesota over Purdue

Semis:
IU over Wisconsin
OSU over Minnesota

Finals:
IU over OSU

Simple as that.