Not a banner year for the BIG TEN Conference and with less than two weeks left several teams have work left to do. Can't remember a year when the Big Ten had so few Nationally ranked teams. Also most years this conference has a minimum of seven locks to get in to March Madness but this year there are only three teams that are an absolute lock. Lets look at Craig's predictions for the Big Ten and lets see who gets in and how they will do in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State: Spartans have flown under the radar all year but have compiled a really nice record and have won the Big Ten conference title. This Michigan St. team is very similar to past Spartan’s teams. They are solid on defense and a very hard nosed team. This team is led in scoring by Ramar Morgan who is averaging nearly 15 ppg. Kalin Lucas does a great job running the offense with nearly a 5-1 assist to turnover ratio while averaging 13 ppg. An almost lock for a #3 seed and an outside chance for a #2 seed. Izzo is always known for his tournament success like the Spartans to the sweet 16 but no further.

Purdue: Disappointing year for a team that was picked to win the Big Ten and be a favorite to contend for a National Title. Injuries this year has cost this team some losses but this team has started to play better as of late. Late season blow out win over Michigan State shows why this team was picked as a championship contender. Hummel will have to stay healthy for this team to have any chance to go far in the big dance. Seeding for this team could change but right now they are a #5 seed. Craig predicts that this team keep the disappointment up and loses in 2nd round.

Illinois: Best defensive team in the conference and a very dangerous young team that doesn't take a game off. The biggest surprise in the Big Ten this year could be a tough out if they can find consistent outside shooting. Definitely have a #5 seed and with a couple wins in the big ten tournament could see them as a #4 seed. Predicting this team has been tough all year but on the road or neutral floor have not really played great. Lack of outside shooting knocks this team out first game.

The Big Ten will get three other bubble teams in the NCAA Tournament: Ohio State (#9 Seed), Wisconsin (#9 seed), and Penn State (#10 seed). All of these teams will have disappointing showing in the big dance all three losing big. The BIG TEN will continue there disappointing season as a conference with only one team in the Sweet 16. Lucky for the Big Ten they play each other because if the last three teams in the tournament were in any other major conference they would be playing in the NIT.

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