How Many Will Dance In The Big Ten?

5? 6? 7?

Who knows how the committee will go on Selection Sunday. As it stands right now, there are 3 locks, and 5 teams hovering around the bubble.

Michigan State (20-4), Illinois (21-5), and Purdue (19-6) are all locks. Barring a unprecedented collapse, these team easily make the tourney.

Ohio State (17-6), Minnesota (19-6), Penn State (18-8), Wisconsin (16-9), and Michigan (16-10) are all toeing the line.

Of these teams, Ohio State ad Minnesota are in the best position: Both have 3 remaning home games, and should have a easy time finishing the season with more wins than losses.

OSU sees Northwestern twice, Illinois and Penn State at home, with road games at Purdue and Iowa. My take: 4-2 gets them in the tourney easily.

Minnesota has 3 homes games including Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Michigan: all winnable. The wildcard will be @Mich. Assuming a loss at Illinois and a 3-2 finish, the Gophers are in as an 8 seed. 4-1 finish, move it up to a 6 or 7.

Penn State has worked their way into the conversation with some big wins recently - ut games @Ill, @ OSU, and @ Iowa will make the road a tough one. They'll need to go 3-2 to make a strong case to the committee (that would include a home win at Illinois and one road win).

Wisconsin should be able to finish strong, with two games versus Indiana, and a home game against Michigan. Winning on the road at Minnesota would give them 20 wins - but 3-2 finish down the stretch puts he ball i ntehir court to win in the Big Ten Tourney and advance to the dance.

Michigan is big long shot: their schedule includes two home games: Minn and Purdue, ans three road games: @Iowa, @Wisconsin, @ Minnesota. Three letters: NIT.

The way I see it, Big Ten gets 6 teams.