Schedule, bracket and storylines for the Big Ten men's basketball tournament

Perhaps the most important thing we’ve learned during Big Ten play on the hardwood this year is that literally any outcome at the upcoming conference tournament in the Windy City is possible. Well, OK, maybe not a championship for last-place Minnesota, but even the Golden Gophers showed some moxie as the regular season drew to a close with an upset of Rutgers and a near takedown of Wisconsin.

Just how tight were things in the conference? Purdue took the regular-season crown by three games, but behind them an almost unbelievable nine teams wound up within two games of each other in the race for second place. Be prepared, therefore, to see just about anything as events unfold at Chicago’s United Center beginning on Wednesday.

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Big Ten tournament schedule, television times

All times Eastern

Wednesday, March 8

First round

Ohio State 65, Wisconsin 57

Minnesota 78, Nebraska 75

Thursday, March 9

Second round

Rutgers 62, Michigan 50

Ohio State 73, Iowa 69

Penn State 79, Illinois 76

Maryland 70, Minnesota 54

Friday, March 10

Quarterfinals

Purdue 70, Rutgers 65

Ohio State 68, Michigan State 58

Penn State 67, Northwestern 65 (OT)

Indiana 70, Maryland 60

Saturday, March 11

Semifinals

Purdue 80, Ohio State 66

Penn State 77, Indiana

Sunday, March 5

Championship

Purdue 67, Penn State 65

Big Ten tournament favorites

As mentioned, Purdue managed to distance itself from the crowded field. But even the Boilermakers weren’t always dominant. The other three teams that managed to secure double byes – Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan State – would theoretically be in the most advantageous position to challenge for a spot in Sunday’s final, but all four will face a physically demanding first game regardless of which opponents make it to Friday.

Big Ten tournament top players

Zach Edey, C, Purdue: The odds-on national player of the year favorite, the 7-4 tower is often described as an old-school big man. He dominates the paint to the tune of 21.9 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, Indiana: The Hoosiers’ mainstay up front has equally impressive averages of 20.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

Boo Buie, G, Northwestern: The senior floor general helped the Wildcats, not exactly a hoops powerhouse, to one of the greatest regular seasons in program history. He leads NU in scoring at (17.2) and assists (4.5).

Kris Murray, F, Iowa: The most prolific of the high-scoring Hawkeyes puts up 20.5 points a game and has drained 61 threes, while also collecting eight rebounds a game.

Jalen Pickett, G, Penn State: The Mr. Everything for the Nittany Lions leads the team in scoring (18.0), rebounds (7.3) and assists (7.0) – all that while sitting for less than four minutes per contest.

Big Ten bubble storylines

There are many, and it starts on the tournament’s opening night. Despite its dismal conference record, Ohio State’s overall ranking in the NCAA’s NET formula makes it a helpful opponent for Wisconsin, assuming the Badgers are able to actually win the game. Penn State has inched its way closer to the field but could use another win against Illinois on Thursday just to be sure. Then there’s the extraordinarily interesting 89 clash between Rutgers and Michigan. The Wolverines missed a golden opportunity to secure a top-tier win against Indiana on the final day of the regular season and now need to at least get a shot at Purdue to improve their position. But the Scarlet Knights have also been slumping and are likewise in need of advancement.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten men's basketball tournament 2023: Schedule, bracket, TV info