The Big 10 tournament 2010 bracket was set after yesterday’s action. In the Big 10 tournament 2010 bracket, there are four top 20 teams and a couple of desperate challengers. The conference may be lucky to get five NCAA teams in depending on what Illinois and Minnesota do. Even among the power teams, the highest they can likely get is a No. 2 seed. However, the Big 10 tournament 2010 bracket can’t be ignored since an NCAA sleeper or two could emerge.
In the last few years, few have thought much of the Big 10, at least until tournament time. But the conference has had a share of March success, culminating with Michigan State’s ride to the title game last year. For this year, two or three teams could make a run to the Final Four, assuming they are on their game.
However, the first task for those top teams is to get through the Big 10 tournament bracket for an early March statement. But before that, there are three first round games on Thursday, none of which may mean much. The 8-9 game between disappointing Michigan and Iowa starts at 2:30 p.m. EST Thursday, followed by Northwestern vs Indiana later that afternoon. Minnesota and Penn State complete the day one action at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, the 2010 Big 10 tournament bracket begins to unfold for the favorites. Ohio State won the three-way tiebreaker for first and will play either Michigan or Iowa at noon on Friday. Afterwards, there’s the already set 4-5 game between Wisconsin and Illinois as the Illini may be playing for their NCAA lives.
That night, second-seeded, defending tournament champion Purdue takes on either Northwestern or Indiana, followed by Michigan State vs Minnesota or Penn State. It all wraps up two days later, as the Big 10 tournament 2010 title game is the last before the brackets are unveiled.
By then, Illinois and Minnesota should better know if they can expect a bid. The four locked in teams are just playing for seeding, however. Purdue hoped to be playing for a No. 1 seed, but after losing Robbie Hummel, they need to win the Big 10 and get some help. Ohio State could get some consideration with a title and even more help, while Michigan State and Wisconsin are on the 3-4 seed line.
After the Spartans’ run last year, the conference proved that they can contend with the bigger conferences. Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan State will not be NCAA favorites, but they could all sneak up for an Elite Eight or Final Four berth – if not more.
The Big 10 tournament 2010 bracket begins their March journey, from Thursday to Sunday at Indiana’s Conseco Fieldhouse.
Sources
Big Ten Network- “2010 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament”
Bleacher Report- “Handicapping the 2010 Big Ten Tournament”
