After a competitive Big Ten Tournament in which Purdue shocked Michigan, Big Ten basketball is heavily represented in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan is still viewed as a top favorite to win the whole thing, but many sleepers in this tournament also reside in the Big Ten.
Here are my predictions for the NCAA Tournament in the first round for Big Ten teams:
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No. 8 Ohio State over No. 9 TCU
Ohio State can score with the best of them, and on any given day in a winner-go-home matchup, give me Bruce Thornton and John Mobley to lead the Buckeyes to victory. Both teams are evenly matched, but the Buckeyes have the more explosive offense, and I think that will be the key.
No. 13 Troy over No. 4 Nebraska
Out of all the teams that could suffer an upset in the Big Ten, one of the favorites would be Nebraska. This team is not battle-tested, and in games where the lights are bright, they do not show up. Troy can shoot at a high level from 3, and they are healthy. I think they have what it takes to get the upset.
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No. 5 Wisconsin over No. 12 High Point
High Point plays fast, and they fit the mold of a fun March Madness team. Wisconsin’s offense will be good enough to quiet the Cinderella noise around High Point. I expect a big game from John Blackwell and Nick Boyd.
No. 3 Michigan State over No. 14 North Dakota State
Michigan State will get back to its dominant play, and it will move past North Dakota State with a big lopsided victory. Jeremy Fears Jr. will have a double-double in this one, being a great facilitator and shot maker. I think the Spartans’ defense will be the big key in this one.
No. 1 Michigan over No. 16 Howard
Michigan is a team that should be headed for the final 4 and maybe even the title game. They have to rebound from their title loss to Purdue, I think they do just that with a commanding win vs Howard.
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No. 3 Illinois over No. 14 Pennsylvania
This is a good matchup for Illinois, and they should be set to get to the sweet 16 with Caleb Wilson hurt on North Carolina. Illinois should take care of business vs Penn, and their difference makers will step up big.
Here are my picks for the games Friday:
No. 8 Clemson over No. 9 Iowa
Iowa got the toughest matchup in the conference, and Iowa is not coming into this game with a great amount of confidence. Clemson has size, they take care of the basketball, and they have a deep bench. It will take a star performance from Bennett Stirtz, but I see the Hawkeyes getting bounced in the first round.
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No. 10 UCF over No. 7 UCLA
This could be one of the most exciting matchups of round 1. UCLA’s top 2 scorers, Donovan Dent and Tyler Biladeau, are banged up, but both are still expected to play. UCF has a trio of scorers that could outproduce an even healthy Bruins squad. I think UCF will dominate the glass and win this game off of second chances and their scorers being better.
No. 2 Purdue over No. 15 Queens University
Purdue is coming off a Big Ten tournament title, and I do not think their success of late will come to an end in round 1. This is a domiant team that is finally playing how they were expected to play, and I think Queens University will be their next victim.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah Huff’s game-by-game picks for Big Ten in NCAA Tournament
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