Big Ten Conference Tournament - Purdue is a Safe Bet
The Big 10 Conference Tournament starts on Wednesday and the BetUS online sportsbook is going to be there for basketball betting fans to get their wagers down.
Usually, the same four teams in the Big Ten contest the tournament championship: Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin. Is there a long shot out there ready to take down the usual participants to hoist the trophy? Or, will one of the favorites inevitably win again?
Let’s take a look at the key contenders for the Big 10 Conference Tournament title.
Big 10 Conference Tournament
1. March Madness Bracket Here!) With Kalin Lucas developing into one of the better point guards in the nation this season, the Spartans aren’t just a one dimensional dump into the front court and let the big men do their thing team. Michigan State is the real deal and could win the Big Ten Conference Tournament, but Izzo knows that the bigger prize is there waiting for the Spartans. State might not be at its best in the Big Ten tourney.
2. Illinois Illini +300 – The Illini are coming off of two straight losses, have dropped two games against Penn State this season, and was beaten by 8 points the last time they faced Michigan State. Illinois was at home for that game. They didn’t look good enough to beat the Spartans on that day and shouldn’t have a shot against the Spartans in the Big Ten tourney. Illinois isn’t a terrible team, but it’s obvious that the 3 to 1 odds are too low. These guys could be looking at an early exit.
3. NCAAB odds in the sportsbook to the second seeded Illini because most bettors know that if a team is going to upset the Spartans for the championship, it’s going to be the Purdue. Purdue is also going into the conference tournament with two straight losses, but they beat Wisconsin twice this season, lost to Oklahoma in overtime in a non-conference game, and also beat the Spartans by 18 points the first time they faced them. Purdue is a quality team.
4. Wisconsin Badgers +600 - - Wisconsin just hasn’t been as good this season as bettors expect. Usually, the Badgers are a terrific team to bet on because they play that slow down, shoot only when it’s right, style of basketball that could cause fits for other teams. This season’s Wisconsin team has been okay, but the losses to Purdue and Michigan State and that 6 game losing streak in January means that I have to pass. They shouldn’t challenge the Spartans or Boilermakers for the championship.
Best Long Shot
6. Penn State Nittany Lions +1200 - - The Nittany Lions beat Illinois twice this season, and Purdue and Michigan State once. They could put together a run in the Big Ten Conference Tournament. Wouldn’t that be nice at 12 to 1 odds? They’re the long shot pick.
And the Winner is…
3. Purdue Boilermakers at +250
Analysis: Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love Tom Izzo’s bunch to make a huge run in the Big Dance, but the Boilermakers are poised to win the Big Ten Conference Tournament. The Michigan State Spartans know that they are guaranteed a top four seed once hits. Izzo won’t have his team as fired up as Purdue to make a name for themselves in this tournament with March Madness just a week away. I expect Purdue to do enough to win the Big Ten tourney and then I expect a quick exit from Purdue in the NCAA Tournament. That’s just the way it goes for Purdue. At +250, they’re the team to bet on in this conference tournament.
