2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament: Quarterfinals Preview
Things are about to get even more interesting in the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. We enter the quarterfinal round of the event on Friday, and there are some really intriguing matchups on the docket.
The top-four seeds — Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska and Northwestern — will all be in action for the first time on Friday after earning a double-bye for the tournament. The Boilermakers open with Michigan State and Northwestern will take on Wisconsin in the afternoon session.
In the evening, Illinois will play a red-hot Ohio State team and we'll close out the quarterfinal round with a matchup between Nebraska and XX.
Friday should be a fun day in Minneapolis. Here's the preview for the quarterfinal round of the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. All four games will air on Big Ten Network.
You can see the complete 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament bracket here.
No. 8 Michigan State vs. No. 1 Purdue
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 7
Preview
- Michigan State record: 19-13 (10-10 in Big Ten)
- Purdue record: 28-3 (17-3 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Purdue def. Michigan State 80-74 on March 2.
Michigan State may have had one of its best performances of the year in Thursday's Round 2 win over Minnesota. The Spartans shot 55.6% form the floor, forced 12 turnovers and grabbed eight offensive rebounds in the win over the Gophers. They were also incredibly active defensively.
Purdue is entering Friday's game as the regular season champion. The Boilermakers have an elite combination with Zach Edey on the interior and guards Braden Smith, Lance Jones and Fletcher Loyer surrounding him. Purdue beat Michigan State 80-74 earlier this month at Mackey Arena. Edey and Smith combined for 55 points and 20 rebounds in the victory.
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.
Purdue players to watch
- Zach Edey, senior: Edey needs no introduction. He's on the way to winning back-to-back National Player of the Year awards after averaging 24.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. The 7-foot-4 center recorded 22 double-doubles on the year and has been virtually unstoppable. The underrated aspect of his game? Edey is a very good passer from the post.
- Braden Smith, sophomore: Smith has been really good at finding his teammates this season, averaging 7.2 assists per game, one of the best marks in college basketball. Where he's most improved is with his shot selection, scoring 13 points per game and shooting better than 44% from 3-point range. The sophomore guard has also improved as a defender, averaging 1.7 steals per game.
- Lance Jones, senior: An athletic senior guard, Jones is an athletic player who is capable of pushing tempo and scoring points in transition. It's an added element to Purdue's offense that it didn't have a season ago. He's also a confident player and has no problem stepping into a 3-point shot. Jones is another scrappy defender on the perimeter and is capable of creating turnovers on that end of the floor.
No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Northwestern
- Time: 25 minutes after Game 7
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 8
Preview
- Wisconsin record: 20-12 (11-9 in Big Ten)
- Northwestern record: 21-10 (12-8 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Wisconsin def. Northwestern 71-63 on Jan. 13.
Have the Badgers found their offense? Wisconsin scorched the nets in Thursday's blowout win over Maryland, connecting on 16-of-25 shots from the 3-point line. The Badgers also hit 31 field goals on 25 assists. Freshman John Blackwell was tremendous, scoring 18 points off the bench.
Even with Ty Berry out for the second half of the conference season, Northwestern still managed to earn a top-four seed in the Big Ten Tournament. It helps when you have an elite guard like Boo Buie, a tremendous defender in Brooks Barnhizer and a 3-point specialist with Ryan Langborg. The Badgers defeated Northwestern in their lone regular season meeting, thanks to a 24-point outing from Wisconsin junior Max Klesmit.
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.
Northwestern players to watch
- Boo Buie, senior: One of the top scorers in the Big Ten, Buie can light up a team on any given night. He scored 31 points and dished out nine assists in an upset win over Purdue earlier in the year. He's eclipsed the 20-point mark in 16 games this season. Buie is Northwestern's go-to guy in clutch situations and he's delivered in big-time moments on more than one occasion this year.
- Brooks Barnhinzer, junior: Barnhizer isn't just the second-leading scorer for the Wildcats, averaging 14.6 per game, he's also a solid rebounder and is the best defensive player on the roster. He earned Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors for his efforts on that end of the floor. His 6-foot-6 frame allows him to defend multiple positions.
- Ryan Langborg, senior: A 3-point specialist, Langborg has been a huge addition to Northwestern's roster this season. It's been especially important since Ty Berry suffered a season-ending injury midway through the Big Ten season. Langborg is averaging 12.4 points per game and is hitting from long range at a 41.7% clip. Teams can't leave Langborg alone at the perimeter or he'll make you pay.
No. 10 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Illinois
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 9
Preview
- Ohio State record: 20-12 (9-11 in Big Ten)
- Illinois record: 23-8 (14-6 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Illinois def. Ohio State 87-75 on Jan. 30.
The magical run for Ohio State continued on Thursday. The Buckeyes are now 6-1 under interim coach Jake Diebler after a 90-78 victory over Iowa on Thursday. Jamison Battle and Bruce Thornton shined in that win, with Battle scoring 23 points and grabbing nine rebounds while Thornton scored 14 and dished out nine assists.
Illinois enters the Big Ten Tournament as one of the favorites to win after finishing second in the regular season standings. The Illini have plenty of skill offensively with Terrence Shannon Jr., Marcus Domask, Coleman Hawkins and Quincy Guerrier in the mix. These two teams could be in a shootout on Friday.
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.
Illinois players to watch
- Terrence Shannon Jr., senior: Shannon is one of the most explosive players in the Big Ten and is at his best when he gets into transition. The senior guard was a first-team All-Big Ten selection after averaging 21.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He does an excellent job at getting to the basket and can be a problem in up-tempo games. He finished the regular season scoring 20 points or more in seven of the final nine games, including a 35-point outing vs. Penn State.
- Coleman Hawkins, senior: At 6-foot-10, Hawkins as a well-rounded game for a player of his size. He averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game during the 2023-24 campaign. He can defend multiple positions on the floor and can step back and knock down the 3-point shot, hitting at a 39.2% rate. Hawkins does have bouts of inconsistency, but when he's also a tough matchup.
- Marcus Domask, senior: A transfer from Southern Illinois, Domask has been one of the top pick-ups from the transfer portal in the Big Ten this season. The senior forward has been a major scoring threat for the Fighting Illini, averaging 16 points per game and hitting a 30-point total in three different games this season. Domask has also posted 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per games on the year.
No. 6 Indiana vs. No. 3 Nebraska
- Time: 25 minutes after Game 9
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Game: No. 10
Preview
- Indiana record: 19-13 (10-10 in Big Ten)
- Nebraska record: 22-9 (12-8 in Big Ten)
- Regular season meeting(s): Nebraska def. Indiana 86-70 on Jan. 3; Nebraska def. Indiana 85-70 on Feb. 21.
Indiana pulled out a squeaker on Thursday night in Minneapolis, taking down Penn State 61-59 on an Anthony Leal put-back with five seconds left in the game. The Hoosiers have now won five straight games and enter the quarterfinals hoping to continue that success.
Nebraska heads into Minneapolis hoping to make a deep run into the Big Ten Tournament after finishing third in the conference. The Huskers have a plethora of weapons with Keisei Tominaga, Rienk Mast, Juwan Gary, CJ Wilcher and Brice Williams. Nebraska swept the season series against Indiana, winning both games in convincing fashion. But beating a team three times in one season is no easy task.
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.
Nebraska players to watch
- Keisei Tominaga, senior: Tominaga is known for his ability from behind the 3-point line, connecting on 37.1% of his shots from long range. But where the senior guard has really show improvement is in his ability to get to the basket and create off the dribble. Tominaga is a microwave player and can heat up almost instantly once he sees the ball go through the net.
- Rienk Mast, junior: The junior forward has been a great addition to Fred Hoiberg's team. Mast is averaging 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and three assists per game. He has impressive range for a big man and has proven to be a scrappy defensive player. Mast recorded six double-doubles this year and had an impressive 34-point, 10-rebound effort in a win over Ohio State.
- Juwan Gary, junior: Although he didn't receive Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors, Gary is one of the top defenders in the league. He doesn't have eye-popping stats, but his length has caused problems for a lot of opponents. Gary is averaging 11.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He's also a player willing to do whatever it takes to win, whether that's on the glass, locking down on defense or putting the ball in the basket.
Related Big Ten stories
- TREY GALLOWAY OUT FOR INDIANA: Indiana senior guard Trey Galloway is out again, forced to miss Friday's Big Ten Tournament game with a knee injury. He was in street clothes for pregame warmups and sources say he will not play all weekend if Indiana advances. CLICK HERE
- BIG TEN BANTER: Purdue won the Big Ten regular season title and has essentially locked up a No. 1 seed for March Madness. There's really nothing for the Boilermakers to gain in the Big Ten Tournament. Should Matt Painter limit minutes for the starters in Minneapolis? CLICK HERE
- BIG TEN AWARD WINNERS, ALL CONFERENCE: The Big Ten Conference announced the individual award winners and All-Big Ten teams for the 2023-24 men's basketball season. Purdue's Zach Edey was named the Big Ten Player of the Year for a second straight season and Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg and Matt Painter split Coach of the Year honors. CLICK HERE
- BIG TEN WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT RESULTS: The Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament tips off Wednesday. Here's a preview of the Day 1 games, which features No. 13 Northwestern vs. No. 12 Purdue and No. 14 Rutgers vs. No. 11 Minnesota. CLICK HERE