With just six teams in the Big Ten tournament, it only takes a couple strong games to become a champion and earn an NCAA tournament berth. Leading the conference, the Gophers and Michigan State have earned a first round bye while the other four teams will battle to reach the semifinals. The championship game will take place Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. CT and all games can be seen on BTN.
NO. 1 MINNESOTA
Record: 21-12-3 overall, 12-5-2 Big Ten
First Game: Friday, March 20 at 3:30 p.m. CT vs. Penn State/Ohio State
Head Coach: Don Lucia (16th Season)
Leading Scorer: Mike Reilly (6g, 36a)
About the Gophers
As most fans already know, the Gophers have been looking strong after a difficult middle part of the season. Despite the improved play of the late, the back-to-back Big Ten champions have work to do if they want to claim a spot in the NCAA tournament. Sitting at 13th in the PairWise ranking, Minnesota could use a Friday win to boost their resume. The Gophers are familiar with their possible opponents winning three of the four combined meetings with Ohio State and Penn State over the last two weekends of the year.
NO. 2 MICHIGAN STATE
Record: 17-15-2 overall, 11-2-2 Big Ten
First Game: Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. CT vs. Michigan/Wisconsin
Head Coach: Tom Anastos (4th Season)
Leading Scorer: Matt Berry (11g, 17a)
About the Spartans
Led by Mike Richter Award finalist, Jake Hildebrand, the Spartans have put together an impressive conference season, falling just short of a Big Ten title. The defensive-minding MSU squad earned the first round bye and will enjoy a friendly crowd throughout the tournament. Against the Gophers this season, the Spartans have won once, lost twice, and tied before winning in a shootout.
NO. 3 MICHIGAN
Record: 20-14-0 overall, 12-8-0 Big Ten
First Game: Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. CT vs. Wisconsin
Head Coach: Red Berenson (31st Season)
Leading Scorer: Zach Hyman (19g, 30a)
About the Wolverines
With a roster full of future NHLers, Michigan has struggled down the stretch, losing six of its last ten games of the season. Despite the disappointing finish, the Wolverines boast an incredible amount of talent that is capable of carrying this team far in the Big Ten tournament. Led by Zach Hyman (49 points) and freshman Dylan Larkin (43 points), the Wolverines have the fire power to bury any team in the conference. Against the Maroon and Gold, Michigan earned the sweep in Ann Arbor but was swept on its trip to Mariucci.
NO. 4 PENN STATE
Record: 18-14-4 overall, 10-9-1 Big Ten
First Game: Thursday, March 19 at 3:30 p.m. CT vs. Ohio State
Head Coach: Guy Gadowsky (3rd Season)
Leading Scorer: Casey Bailey (22g, 40a)
About the Nittany Lions
Penn State was a surprise for much of the Big Ten season as they found themselves in the hunt for a conference title until the last weekend of the year. The Nittany Lions are a handful to play against and make things difficult on the opposition by shooting and shooting a lot. PSU leads the conference with an impressive 39.44 shots on net per game. Although the opening game against Ohio State is no easy out, a semifinal matchup between PSU and the Gophers would be an entertaining game on Friday.
NO. 5 OHIO STATE
Record: 13-20-3 overall, 8-11-1 Big Ten
First Game: Thursday, March 19 at 3:30 p.m. CT vs. Penn State
Head Coach: Steve Rohlik (2nd Season)
Leading Scorer: Tanner Fritz (11g, 15a)
About the Buckeyes
Obviously, it hasn’t been the best season for the Ohio State. Sitting with just 13 wins heading into the postseason is not what Steve Rohlik and the Buckeyes were hoping for. The good news for OSU is that they have been playing better as of late, sweeping Penn State, beating the Gophers once, and topping Wisconsin in regulation and in a shootout. With no chance of making the NCAA tournament last year, the Buckeyes battled and nearly won the inaugural Big Ten Tournament, losing to Wisconsin in overtime of the championship game.
NO. 6 WISCONSIN
Record: 4-25-5 overall, 2-15-3 Big Ten
First Game: Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. CT vs. Michigan
Head Coach: Mike Eaves (13th Season)
Leading Scorer: Grant Besse (11g, 11a)
About the Badgers
It has been a historically bad season for Wisconsin. The Badgers have struggled in every conference series, only picking up wins against Ohio State and Michigan. The reigning Big Ten tournament champions will have quite the difficult path this season as they face Michigan on Thursday and Michigan State on Friday should they get by the Wolverines.