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Wisconsin Basketball: Predicting the Big Ten Tournament

By Christian Borman

Mar 7, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard talks with guard Trevor Anderson (12) and guard Brad Davison (left) and forward Micah Potter (11) late in the game during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard talks with guard Trevor Anderson (12) and guard Brad Davison (left) and forward Micah Potter (11) late in the game during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Basketball
Feb 27, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Trent Frazier (1) looks to pass over Wisconsin Badgers guard D’Mitrik Trice (0) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

Game 11: #1 Michigan vs. #5 Ohio St.

A rematch of what was a very good game in Columbus in February where the Wolverines emerged with a 92-87 victory.

I am expecting another entertaining game from these two teams again. It will likely be a fast-paced and high-scoring matchup. The E.J. Liddell and Hunter Dickinson matchup will be fun to watch. In their last game, Dickinson scored 22 points, while Liddell scored 23 and had 10 boards.

This Wolverines team feels special. They have a lot of very good players and more importantly, they all play well with each other. This is a very selfless team, and I think that’s the difference in this game. Michigan moves onto the Big Ten Championship.

Prediction: Michigan

Game 12: #2 Illinois vs. #6 Wisconsin

Like Iowa, Illinois has taken the first two games in the series against the Wisconsin basketball team this season. Unlike the third game of that series, I don’t see the Badgers getting by Illinois here.

They kept it close with the Illini, but that was at home and Illinois was without Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu had a triple-double against the Badgers in their first meeting that resulted in a 75-60 win. The Badgers also have a lot of trouble containing Kofi Cockburn. Physical big men have given the Badgers fits all season.

This Illinois team is just so talented and is in line for a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament for a reason. Illinois is one of the hottest teams in all of college basketball, and I don’t think this Wisconsin basketball team can cool them down.

Prediction: Illinois

Championship: #1 Michigan vs. #2 Illinois

We are finally here, the Big Ten Tournament Championship. I know it ended up being the 1 and 2 seeds, but I truly feel like these are the two best teams in the conference and it isn’t particularly close.

Both teams have a great starting lineup and both have some decent depth. Illinois depends on Dosunmu and Cockburn for a majority of their scoring, while Michigan can have any player go off on any given night.

I would fully expect a great game on Sunday afternoon and every Big Ten fan should tune into it. I think Illinois is too hot right now. They handled the Wolverines in Ann Arbor without Dosunmu. Now, even with Dosunmu, I don’t think the game will be that lopsided again, but I think Illinois is playing too well to lose right now. I think they win the Big Ten Tournament and clinch a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Prediction: Illinois

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