Big Ten Basketball First Round Preview
By Adam McGill
With the Big Ten Tournament tipping off today in a matter of hours, lets take a closer look at each game. Below is my Big Ten Tournament preview of the first round:
Game 1: Illinois – Iowa 11:30 AM ET
Player to Watch: G Brandon Paul, Illinois – Paul has been the best outside shooter in the Big Ten this season and can score from anywhere on the floor.
Prediction: Illinois 74 – Iowa 69
Game 2: Penn State – (15) Indiana 1:55 PM ET
Player to Watch: F Cody Zeller, Indiana – Zeller has been an animal in the paint this season. He is averaging 15.4 points and 6.4 boards a game and has mastered his jump shot from 10 feet out.
Prediction: Indiana 65 – Penn State 60
Game 3: Minnesota – Northwestern 5:30 PM ET
Player of the Week: F John Shurna, Northwestern – Not many people know about the senior from Northwestern, but he is currently leading the Big 10 with 19.8 points per contest. He is a very high percentage shooter, 46.8% from field, and will frustrate Minnesota all evening.
Prediction: Northwestern 63 – Minnesota 54
Game 4: Nebraska – Purdue 7:55 PM ET
Player of the Week: F Robbie Hummel, Purdue – Hummel has been the Boilermakers’ best scorer and is averaging 16.8 points and 7 rebounds per game. He is elusively fast in the open court and his long arms allow him to put great arc on his shot. He will be a key part of Purdue’s success, but may not be enough to help them sneak into the NCAA tourney.
Prediction: Purdue 71 – Nebraska 66
