Michigan State basketball: Predicting Big Ten Tournament run

Michigan State basketball is limping into the Big Ten Tournament with an 18-13 overall record, needing a win in the worst way.

The Michigan State basketball regular season has just come to an end, and that means it’s time for the Big Ten Tournament. I always love this tournament as it features all the teams I watch the most and has many high-level games multiple days in a row.

The official Big Ten Tournament bracket was just released on Sunday night, so let’s do our best at predicting how MSU will do.

Opener vs. Minnesota

The Spartans’ first game is on Thursday at noon against Minnesota. MSU and Minnesota split their two game series this year with both teams winning at home. Both teams now are very desperate for a win as they are both near the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Spartans currently are on the right side of the bubble whereas the Gophers need a win or two to make it in the Big Dance.

The Big Ten Tournament is in Minneapolis, so MSU did get unlucky drawing the hometown team in their first game. But I think Michigan State will finally be ready to go after a rough five-game stretch. The Spartans will beat the Gophers by 11 and eliminate any lingering thoughts of missing the NCAA Tournament.

Quarterfinals vs. Purdue

I think most MSU fans will probably pick the Spartans to beat Minnesota, and I’d bet most will pick Michigan State to lose to Purdue. I, however, don’t see that happening.

All season, Michigan State has played to the level of their competition. We saw this just a few weeks ago when MSU hung with the Boilermakers on the road. I think Michigan State will get its revenge and win a nail-biter against the regular-season champions.

Semifinals and championship game

The Spartans now head to the semifinals, but their opponent is unknown. No. 4 seed Northwestern and 5-seed Wisconsin are the likely opponents, but I’m picking an obscure team to make a wild run to the semifinals. I have 12-seed Maryland making it to this game, beating the two teams I mentioned as well as 13-seed Rutgers.

MSU has beaten Maryland twice this season already, and I think the Spartans make it three in another close win in the semis.

This leaves the championship game for Michigan State, and I think the obvious opponent from the other side of the bracket is 2-seed Illinois. The Spartans and Illini split their regular-season series, but this third game is the most important of them all. Unfortunately, I see Illinois getting the win and cutting down the nets in Minneapolis.

I don’t think any Michigan State basketball fans would be upset with this outcome. Three wins including one over Purdue would have MSU feeling extremely confident heading into the NCAA Tournament. You might think I’m crazy for predicting this run, but it’s March.