The results of the Big Ten games today (Sunday) have officially determined Wisconsin's seeding and who they will see in the second round. Well, sort of. It's down to two teams who have to play each other in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament to advance for a chance to take on Wisconsin. It honestly feels a bit wild that it's these two teams, as they are geographically close, and both could be considered border battles. Two areas where many Wisconsin fans and alumni live, so much so, the Badgers are often known for taking over their stadiums.
Wisconsin will face the winner of No.12 seed Minnesota and No.13 seed Northwestern on Thursday afternoon (1:30 p.m./BTN).
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) March 9, 2025
The winner of that game will face No.4 seed UCLA. #Badgers
Wisconsin will play the winner of Minnesota and Northwestern in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers have landed at the No. 12 seed, and they will tip off against the No. 13 seed, the Northwestern Wildcats. The winner of that game will advance to play the No. 5 seed, the Wisconsin Badgers.
If the Badgers can get that first important win over one of those teams, they will advance to the third round to take on the UCLA Bruins, who secured one of the coveted double-bye spots in the Big Ten Tournament.
Wisconsin beat Minnesota twice during the season. The Badgers beat Northwestern the only time they played by a score of 75-69. UW lost to UCLA in Los Angeles in a frustrating 85-83 finish.
While the Badgers are not playing their best basketball right now, and just this weekend, they had a stupidly frustrating loss against Penn State (a team that didn't even make the Big Ten Tournament), the Big Ten Tournament matchups are pretty ideal for them. If they can play their normal brand of basketball and get things going like they did in January and February, these are games they should win.