2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament: Day 2 Preview
Well, let's go ahead and call it like we see it. The first day of the Big Ten Tournament left something to be desired. Maryland obliterated Rutgers, dominating from the opening tip-off until the final buzzer. The Penn State-Michigan matchup provided a little more intrigue, but the Nittany Lions pulled away in the final 10 minutes of the second half.
Needless to say, we're hoping the games are a little better on Thursday.
Here's the preview for the second day of the Big Ten Tournament. All four games will air on Big Ten Network, beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
You can see the complete 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament bracket here.
No. 9 Minnesota vs. No. 8 Michigan State
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 3
Preview
- Minnesota record: 18-13 (9-11 in Big Ten)
- Michigan State record: 18-13 (10-10 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Michigan State def. Minnesota 76-66 on Jan. 18; Minnesota def. Michigan State 59-56 on Feb. 6.
In the first meeting between Minnesota and Michigan State in January, Malik Hall had a special night. He had 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while dishing out four assists in a 10-point win. In the February meeting, freshman Cam Christie buried five shots from 3-point range, leading the Gophers to a victory.
This matchup has the potential to be another really good battle between the two teams — although both struggled to close the regular season. Both Minnesota and Michigan State are 1-4 in their last five games. With the game being played in Minneapolis, Ben Johnson and the Gophers have a home-court advantage in this one.
Minnesota players to watch
- Dawson Garcia, junior: Garcia ended the regular season as Minnesota's top scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.7 points and 6.7 boards per game. What makes the 6-foot-11 junior so dangerous is his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He's not the most consistent 3-point shooter, but he can step behind the line and knock down a triple to stretch the defense. Garcia poses matchup problems for a lot of teams.
- Cam Christie, freshman: It was a game against Michigan State that put a huge spotlight on Christie for the remainder of the season. The newcomer made five-of-seven shots from 3-point range, including a late go-ahead triple in a win over the Spartans. Christie earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors after averaging 11.3 points per game and shooting over 40% from long range.
- Elijah Hawkins, junior: While he's certainly a capable scorer, Hawkins' claim to fame comes as a distributor. The junior guard averaged 7.5 assists per game for the Golden Gophers, the second-highest average in the nation this season. He does a great job at putting his teammates in position to score, but also has the ability to get to the rim.
Michigan State players to watch
- Tyson Walker, senior: Averaging 18.4 points per game, Walker is the fifth-best scorer in the Big Ten this season. He's particularly good in late-game situations and doesn't shy away from the big moment. The senior scored in double figures in all but one game during the 2023-24 season. In the season finale against Indiana, he recorded a 30-point night.
- AJ Hoggard, senior: Hoggard has battled some consistency issues at points in the season, especially late. He's scored in double figures just three times in the last 10 outings. Still, if he catches fire, Hoggard is capable of scoring in bunches. Plus, he's done a really good job at finding teammates, posting 5.0 assists per game on the year.
- Malik Hall, senior: Hall is a well-rounded player and was Michigan State's top rebounder during the year. He recorded four double-doubles this season, all of which came in Big Ten play. The senior is an efficient shooter, knocking down nearly 53% of his attempts fro the season.
No. 12 Maryland vs. No. 5 Wisconsin
- Time: 25 minutes after Game 3
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 4
Preview
- Maryland record: 16-16 (7-13 in Big Ten)
- Wisconsin record: 19-12 (11-9 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Wisconsin def. Maryland 74-70 on Feb. 20.
Wisconsin won the lone regular season meeting between the two teams, but it was a game that went down to the wire. The key for the Badgers was the free throw line, making 28-of-31 shots from the charity stripe.
Both teams like to attack to the basket, especially Maryland. The Terrapins have struggled with their jump shots all year long, although they did shoot 43.1% from the floor in a blowout win over Rutgers on Wednesday. If Wisconsin can force Maryland into jump shots, the Badgers will put themselves in good position to advance to the quarterfinals. But if Jahmir Young can drive to the basket, the Terps will have a shot.
Maryland players to watch
- Jahmir Young, senior: Because he played for a team that finished under .500, Young didn't really get the credit he deserves. The senior is one of the top players in the Big Ten, averaging 20.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He's lethal when he gets to his left hand and does an excellent job at getting to the basket. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection for a reason.
- DeShawn Harris-Smith, freshman: Harris-Smith has been an excellent freshman addition for the Terrapins this season. He was named to the conference's All-Freshman team after averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He's show flashes of high-volume scoring ability, dropping 17 on Iowa in a win back in February.
- Julian Reese, junior: The 6-foot-9 junior has provided Maryland with a nice interior presence this season, nearly averaging a double-double with 13.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per contest. Reese ended the year with 15 double-doubles. He's really difficult to account for on both ends of the floor.
Wisconsin players to watch
- Tyler Wahl, senior: Wahl is a really talented forward with excellent post moves and good mobility. He's averaging a 11.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He's also done a good job defensive in the post. He has quick, active hands and is capable of creating turnovers, even when defending bigger opponents down low. Wahl also has solid vision for a big man, averaging 1.8 assists per game.
- AJ Storr, sophomore: The Badgers have struggled as of late, but Storr provided a completely new element to Wisconsin's offense after transferring in from St. John's. The sophomore guard can attack the rim and has no problem driving the basketball in traffic. He hasn't had the best season from behind the 3-point line (31.4%), but he is capable of knocking that shot down. Storr has scored in double figures in all but two contests this year.
- Max Klesmit, junior: Opponents will want to keep an eye on Klesmit, as he has a knack for hitting the 3-point shot. He's hitting at a 37.5% mark on the season, not bad for someone who has attempted 136 on the season. He's knocked down five shots from behind the arc in three different games.
No. 10 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Iowa
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 5
Preview
- Ohio State record: 19-12 (9-11 in Big Ten)
- Iowa record: 18-13 (10-10 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Iowa def. Ohio State 79-77 on Feb. 2.
Ohio State is a completely different team that when it played Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena back in early February. The Buckeyes are winners of five-of-six under interim coach Jake Diebler, playing as well as anyone in the Big Ten. They might be the most dangerous team in the conference tournament.
But Iowa isn't going to roll over. This is a team that can put a lot of points on the scoreboard, giving them a chance in just about every game they play. The Hawkeyes are 16-3 in games when scoring 80 points or more this season. Could that be the magic number in Minneapolis, too?
Ohio State players to watch
- Bruce Thornton, sophomore: Thornton has been a really solid player for the Buckeyes all season long. He's a hard matchup for opponents, averaging 16.1 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per contest. When he's in the zone, he can score in bunches, eclipsing the 20-point mark eight times on the year.
- Jamison Battle, senior: The Minnesota transfer has really found his perimeter shot since arriving in Columbus. He's always had it, but this season Battle is hitting from distance at an impressive 44% clip. He's also knocked down 56-of-59 attempts from the free throw line.
- Felix Okpara, sophomore: Okpara is Ohio State's best inside presence on both ends of the floor. He's been a great rebounder and shot blocker for the Buckeyes this season. At times, he's found himself in foul trouble, but when he's on the floor he provides Ohio State with a really good player on the interior. The 6-foot-11 sophomore is averaging 6.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
Iowa players to watch
- Owen Freeman, freshman: Freeman has been a huge addition to Iowa's roster this season. He was named the co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year after averaging 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Quite simply, this kid can do it all. Freeman recorded five double-doubles in his first season, including a 20-point, 12-rebound effort in a win over Wisconsin.
- Payton Sandfort, junior: The owner of Iowa's only triple-double in the history of the men's basketball program, Sandfort isn't just a big-time scorer but is also very efficient. He's connecting on 45% of his field goal attempts, shoots better than 37% from deep and connects on 91.4% of his free throws. Sandfort has scored 20 points in four of his last five games.
- Tony Perkins, senior: Iowa really isn't known for its defense, but Perkins is the top perimeter defender, averaging 1.7 steals per game. He's also just an all-around valuable asset on the floor, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Perkins had an impressive double-double outing against Northwestern near the end of the season, dishing out 14 assists to go along with 10 points.
No. 11 Penn State vs. No. 6 Indiana
- Time: 25 minutes after Game 5
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 6
Preview
- Penn State record: 16-16 (9-11 in Big Ten)
- Indiana record: 18-13 (10-10 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Penn State def. Indiana 85-71 on Feb. 3; Penn State def. Indiana 83-74 on Feb. 24.
Just call Ace Baldwin Jr. the "Hoosier Killer." In the two games this season, the senior accounted for 45 points and 17 assists, leading Penn State to a season sweep of Indiana. The Nittany Lions also shot incredibly well from 3-point range in those two victories, hitting 54.5% in the first meeting and 42.9% in the second contest.
But Penn State is running into a completely different Indiana team, one that has won four straight games entering the Big Ten Tournament. Kel'el Ware has been a huge part of that success, recording three double-doubles and averaging 22.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and three blocks per game.
Penn State players to watch
- Ace Baldwin Jr., senior: Without question, Baldwin has been the best player for Penn State this year. The senior was also tabbed as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts on that end of the floor. Coach Mike Rhoades raves about Baldwin's unselfishness and desire to win, both great qualities. He's averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game.
- Qudus Wahab, senior: Wahab is one of the top rebounders in the Big Ten this season, averaging 7.7 per game. He also ranks as the second-best scorer for the Nittany Lions at 9.8 points per contest. Wahab saved his best performance of the season for the final game, scoring 19 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking two shots in a win over Maryland.
- Nick Kern Jr.: There have been issues with consistency from Kern this season, but he's capable of putting the ball in the basket. He's shooting at a 55.5% clip on the year and averaging 8.8 points. His length has also helped the Nittany Lions on the defensive end, as well.
Indiana players to watch
- Kel'el Ware, sophomore: Ware has looked like a completely different player over the last seven games, recording five double-doubles. He's been dominant on the offensive end, scoring 26 points or more three times in the last four contests. Defensively, he's been on another level. The 7-footer has blocked 21 shots in the last seven outings. When Ware is locked in, there aren't many players who can slow him down.
- Xavier Johnson, senior: We might be starting to see just how important Johnson was to Indiana's success. The guard's return from injury seems to have provided a spark for the Hoosiers. He can still be sporadic at times, but he's a great defensive player and attacks the basket effectively. The senior is averaging 7.7 points and 2.6 assists per contest.
- Mackenzie Mgbako, freshman: Mgbako earned co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors this season after averaging 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. The newcomer struggled early at Indiana, but has shown some serious improvement as of late. He's reached double figures in each of the last four games, included a season-high 24-point outing against Maryland.
Related Big Ten stories
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