Conference tournament predictions: Big Ten

Since this is a "Penn State" blog, I'll dabble on the Nittany Lions chances. I hate to say this because it implies that I accept mediocrity as a fan, but in my opinion PSU basketball has done a tremendous job this season. What started out as a season with a lot of potential and promise, on a team that seemed to finally be coming together and have the potential to win some games in the Big Ten. They started off 2-0 in conference play, both wins on the road, which is unheard of for this program. They had a tough loss at home to Minnesota, but then in the next game against Wisconsin team superhero Geary Claxton busted up his knee and was out for the season. After that game (which we lost by 25) I don't think I was the only PSU fan that believed we wouldn't win another Big Ten game. Instead, we won 5. The going was tough right after the injury, as the Lions dropped four straight, all in convincing fashion. But on February 2, at home against the top 10 Michigan State Spartans, it all came together. The team started playing together, they were working hard, they were realizing that they had talent too, not just Geary. And yes, they drew a lot of fouls in that game. A lot. Of fouls. But you could sense a transformation, and after the students rushed the court celebrating an 85-76 victory, you could sense that the team had a future even without Geary. The team would win their final 4 home games after that, including a win over Top 25 Indiana just last weekend. They finished with a 7-11 record in the Big Ten and a 15-15 record overall. Nothing to brag about certainly, nothing that will get them into postseason play, but that is better than any fan would have predicted after Claxton went down. The best part? Towards the end of the year, 4 of 5 starters were first year players. Everybody's sticking around, so they'll only get better. So maybe, perhaps, maybe, Penn State will have something to cheer about in the spring (other than THON) starting next year.

That said, I don't think they get past Illinois in the first round. We've beaten the Illini the first two meetings, but both were very close games. That tells me that the third may not go our way.

All tournament games in Indianapolis, IN

FIRST ROUND
8 Iowa
9 Michigan

6 Minnesota
11 Northwestern

7 Penn State
10 Illinois

QUARTERFINALS
1 Wisconsin
8 Iowa

4 Michigan State
5 Ohio State

3 Indiana
6 Minnesota

2 Purdue
10 Illinois

SEMIFINALS
1 Wisconsin
4 Michigan State

2 Purdue
3 Indiana

CHAMPIONSHIP (Sunday 3/16 on CBS):
1 Wisconsin
3 Indiana