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Big Ten Basketball: Predicting the 2018 Conference Tournament

By Devin Jones

Nigel Hayes #10 of the Wisconsin Badgers puts up a shot over D.J. Wilson #5 of the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament Championship game at Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Nigel Hayes #10 of the Wisconsin Badgers puts up a shot over D.J. Wilson #5 of the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Basketball Tournament Championship game at Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Michigan Wolverines celebrate the 2017 Big Ten Tournament Championship.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: The Michigan Wolverines celebrate with the trophy after the Wolverines defeated the Wisconsin Badgers to win the Big Ten Basketball Tournament Championship game at Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Semi-final: Michigan State vs. Michigan

In a rematch from the regular season classic rivalry game, Michigan and Michigan State come in hotter than any team in the tournament. The game in middle January left nothing to be desired in a hard-fought contest that Michigan prevailed 82-72. Michigan had help from Moritz Wagner’s game-high 27 and only seven turnovers on the day. Michigan State’s Achilles heal all year has been the turnovers and in the game against Michigan in January it was in full show, having 17 turnovers. This game is the second most intriguing game in the tournament, with both teams playing good basketball right now and it is a heated rivalry. It should be a back and forth contest all through the game but Michigan’s senior leadership Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman will have the ball in his hands down the stretch in this one and will not let John Beilein down. I predict Michigan to upset Tom Izzo’s Spartans in another nail-biter to move on the championship game.

Prediction: Michigan 84-79

Semi-final: Ohio State vs. Purdue

In the only matchup of the year between these two foes, Ohio State came out on top in a nail-biter. Isaac Haas had his way in the earlier matchup and expect him to have the same game in this one. Keita Bates-Diop will need to carry the workload like he has all year for Ohio State. Expect him to be competing with Carsen Edwards for the game-high in points. In the end, I expect Purdue to be too much for Ohio State all around even despite Bates-Diop having a good game. Purdue has plenty of shooters to increase the lead and go on a run late in this one. Purdue will lean Issac Haas to put the game away inside the paint.

Prediction: Purdue 69-62

Championship: Michigan vs. Purdue

Michigan and Purdue meet again for the third time this season. Purdue won both regular-season matchups by a combined margin of five points. Michigan winning the tournament last year gives them experience on the big stage. Expect a great game like the first to matchups were between Michigan and Purdue. It is hard to beat a team three times in one year so my prediction is Michigan wins the Big Ten tournament for back to back years. Moritz Wagner will post a double-double while Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman will add close to 20 points. Vincent Edwards and Carsen Edwards will be in double-digit points.

Next: Big Ten scheduling was a mistake

The X-factors for Michigan is Charles Mathews, at any point of a game Charles Mathews can take a game over. The X-factor for Purdue will the 7-foot 3-inch freshman Matt Haarms. He is just too tall for any of the Michigan big men.

Prediction: Michigan 68-64

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