The Big Ten is one of the best basketball conferences in the nation with five teams ranked in the Top 25 at the moment and seven teams with a good chance to make the NCAA Tournament. With the Big Dance nearly here, it's time to project just what seed the Big Ten members will get on Selection Sunday:
Michigan State Spartans (28-5, 13-5)
Projection: No. 1 seed
Michigan State is playing as well as anyone in the country right now, surging back up the rankings as other top teams have fallen around them. Some think they have a No. 1 seed locked up even if they lose due to a loss by Villanova, but I think they could drop to a No. 2 if they lose. A win makes them a lock for a top seed. For more March Madness coverage, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
Purdue Boilermakers (26-7, 12-6)
Projection: No. 4 Seed
The Boilermakers have been solid all season, and a win over Michigan State today would be enough to push them to a high No. 3 seed. A loss won't drop them to anything more than a No. 4.
Indiana Hoosiers (25-7, 15-3)
Projection: No. 4 seed
Indiana rebounded from an awful start to the season to win the Big Ten regular season title, but a loss to Michigan in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament will keep them on the four line.
Maryland Terrapins (25-8, 12-6)
Projection: No. 4 seed
Maryland is straddling that line between a four seed and a five seed withouth much to make a case either way. Their recent downslide could be enough in the minds of some to drop to five, but wins over Iowa, Wisconsin, and Purdue on their resume could keep them on the four line.
Iowa Hawkeyes (21-10, 12-6)
Projection: No. 7 seed
Iowa is floundering on their way into the tournament, losing six of their last eight games. That freefall will hurt their standing - the only question is how much. They'll either be a low six seed or a high seven seed.
Wisconsin Badgers (20-12, 12-6)
Projection: No. 7 seed
The Badgers were shockingly upset by Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament, but they solidified their spot as a No. 7 seed with a 11-1 close to the regular season.
Michigan Wolverines (22-12, 10-8)
Projection: No. 11 seed, First Four
Michigan's stunning last-second win over Indiana doesn't make them a lock to get in the tournament, but it does give them another quality win they so desperately needed. Even though they have 11 losses on the season, 10 of those came to teams ranked in the RPI Top 50 - but they do have three wins over RPI Top 25 teams, which it the biggest plus on their resume. That's enough to put them on the right side of the bubble.
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