Eleven teams will again compete for the Big Ten Tournament Championship and the automatic NCAA Tournament bid that goes with it.
Here is how the individual teams stack up:
Illinois (11-5 Big Ten, 21-6 overall)
This team was two points away from taking a share of the Big Ten regular season title and will look to avoid a repeat in the conference tournament. Due to their impressive regular season, Illinois will certainly make the NCAA Tournament with or without an exceptional tournament performance.
Indiana (8-8, 18-11)
Indiana has shown flashes of the team that went to the championship game last season, but has lately looked more like the team that hit a five game losing skid midseason.
The Hoosiers, due mostly to their early season success, looks to be in position for an NCAA bid. The team would gain some insurance, though, with a few tournament wins, but may find itself in trouble if they lose to Penn State for the second time this season.
Iowa (7-9, 15-12)
The tournament looks bleak for Iowa, whose chances for an NCAA bid are slim to none. The Hawkeyes know their most realistic chance of making the Big Dance is to win the Big Ten tournament, which would require a surplus of motivation.
Michigan (10-6, 17-12)
Due to self-imposed sanctions it would appear that the Wolverines have little to play for. Head Coach Tommy Amaker, though, has managed to light a fire under his players all season and keep them competitive. Knowing they have nothing more to work for than the Big Ten tournament championship may make Michigan all the more determined.
Michigan St. (10-6, 18-11)
The Spartans may be the hottest team entering championship week as they currently hold a four game winning streak and look as good as they have all season.
Michigan State is one of many teams on the \bracket bubble"" and is aided largely in their quest for an NCAA invite by an early-season win over No. 2 Kentucky. However, a few more quality wins would certainly be valuable.
Minnesota (8-8, 16-11)
The Gophers are not out of the NCAA hunt, but will need to play exceptionally well in the conference tournament. The Gophers have not amassed enough quality wins in or out of the Big Ten and will need to go deep in the tournament to have a realistic chance at getting to the Big Dance.
Northwestern (3-13, 11-16)
The Wildcats have had a miserable season and will be lucky to make it past the first round of play. Northwestern started Big Ten play on a seven game losing streak and has had little to brag about since.
Ohio State (7-9, 14-13)
The Buckeyes' chances for advancing in the Big Ten tournament will likely stop in the second round. Though a first round win over Iowa is possible (senior guard Brent Darby averaged 24.5 points per game against the Hawkeyes), Ohio State is 1-7 against the top five teams in the Big Ten, one of which they would play in the second round.
Penn State (2-14, 7-20)
The only thing the Nittany Lions have to play for is their first win streak of the conference season. They will likely be a non-factor in the tournament.
Purdue (10-6, 18-9)
Purdue enters this week with a realistic chance of making the NCAA Tournament. Riding the strong play of senior guard Willie Deane, who has led the Boilermakers in scoring 13 out of 16 Big Ten games, Purdue is aiming for multiple tournament wins in time for Selection Sunday.
Wisconsin (12-4, 22-6)
The Badgers have already locked themselves into the field of 65 and are now playing for their first Big Ten tournament title in school history. Wisconsin has won seven of its last eight and has collected wins over every Big Ten team except Purdue.
Porter's pick: Michigan St. over Illinois.
Dohman's pick: Illinois over Michigan State.
Gopalratnam's pick: Wisconsin over Illinois.
