March Madness is finally upon us and I couldn't be more excited. The Badgers have a No. 4 seed, there are no clear-cut favorites besides Kansas and there are a plethora of upsets waiting to happen—it's going to be a fantastic tournament. That being said I'm still a little disappointed with the chance of any Big Ten team making a deep run. What follows is my attempt to be a Joe Lunardi-wannabe in analyzing the Big Ten's Big Dance possibilities.
Ohio State
Easily the team I am most confident will make it to the Elite Eight, but even then I'm not so sure. Sure the first round match-up against UC-Santa Barbara will be a cakewalk, but then the Buckeyes meet ACC threat Georgia Tech, assuming the Yellow Jackets upset Oklahoma State (which, in my mind, isn't really an upset).
Georgia Tech, boasting uber-freshman Derrick Favors, has the capability to bust the lower half of the Midwest bracket. Even though the ACC had a down year I'm still not thoroughly convinced the Yellow Jackets will be an easy win for the No. 2 seed Buckeyes. If Ohio State proves victorious in that game, and my prediction that Georgetown makes it to the Sweet 16 rings true, the Buckeyes will have their hands full with the Big East powerhouse.
Having finished the season tied for fourth in the conference, some people may overlook the Hoyas and pencil Ohio State in the Elite Eight without a second thought. Not a good idea. Georgetown proved in the Big East Tournament it is a force to be reckoned with, with both junior guard Austin Freeman and sophomore center Greg Monroe displaying their ridiculous talents.
In my opinion, the Buckeyes will squeak by the Hoyas, but superstar Evan Turner's back will break—not literally this time—from carrying the scoring load to be able to take them much further than that since Kansas awaits them soon after.
Purdue
Oh how the mighty have fallen. From title contenders in February to potential first round losers in March, the Boilermakers are in a tailspin without shooting stud Robbie Hummel. After Purdue's embarrassing loss to Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament, Siena is becoming a popular upset pick in the early stages of the Big Dance. Even if they do top Siena I don't think the Boilermakers will make it past Texas A&M. Although I'm not ready to jump ship quite yet, I'm on the plank and inching towards water after watching Purdue self-destruct minus Hummel.
Michigan State
After starting the conference season a perfect 9-0, Michigan State had a rough month following the spanking the Badgers gave them at the Kohl Center in early February. Star guard Kalin Lucas was injured during that game and the Spartans proceeded to lose their next two games; aside from that the only surprise loss Michigan State had was Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament. Despite the No. 5 seed, the Spartans still have the potential to make it to the Elite Eight, but it's not going to easy with overall No. 1 seed Kansas in the way. The way the tournament has panned out thus far it appears there are going to be plenty of upsets, so I'm not going to count out Sparty just yet.
Wisconsin
Back in February, I said the Badgers would not win more than a game or two and I still stand by that statement. Most people think Wisconsin is going to coast to a Sweet 16 showdown with Kentucky, but it's definitely not going to be that simple. Yes, Wofford should roll over right now (they're the Terriers—get it?!), but the Badgers cannot overlook Temple by any means. Co-winners of the Atlantic 10 conference, victor of the conference tournament and owners of a No. 5 seed, the Owls are a threat—and you can't overlook the fact they beat Villanova by double digits earlier in the year. Wisconsin, on the other hand, isn't exactly playing up to expectations after the return of Jon Leuer. Having done so well without the star forward it was assumed the Badgers would take the conference after his return, but an embarrassing lost to Minnesota and an opening-round defeat in the Big Ten Tournament to Illinois created some doubts. Still, I feel Wisconsin will make it to the Sweet 16 before being run over by John Wall and Co.
Minnesota
Ah, Minnesota. Without its unbelievable wins against the depleted Boilermakers and slumping Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament, the Gophers wouldn't even be in the Big Dance. Alas, Goldy found a way to get in on March Madness, but a match up with a strong Xavier team means a first-round exit for Minnesota. Barring some miracle, there is no way the Gophers can make it to the Elite Eight.
Do you think the Big Ten teams can fare better in the NCAA Tournament? Tell Jack at jpdoyle2@wisc.edu.
