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Indiana Basketball: Big Ten tournament preview, Hoosiers face tough draw

By Adam Childs

BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 13: An Indiana Hoosiers cheerleader is seen during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - FEBRUARY 13: An Indiana Hoosiers cheerleader is seen during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Assembly Hall on February 13, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a second half three pointer with Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Breslin Center on March 08, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 80-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a second half three pointer with Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 while playing the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Breslin Center on March 08, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 80-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Michigan State

The Spartans are arguably the hottest team in the conference right now. Less than a month ago they found themselves at just 9-6 in the Big Ten and three games back of first place Maryland. All they did was roll off five straight wins, including the last four against ranked opponents to claim a share of the Big Ten. They are playing like everybody thought they would from the very beginning of the season and have to be the betting favorite.

The Spartans are led by Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman and are a force both offensively and defensively. They are looking to win their second straight Big Ten tournament title after beating Michigan in the finals last year.

Maryland

Maryland blew a three-game lead in the Big Ten in the last month but beat Michigan on Sunday to claim a share with the Spartans and Wisconsin. Led by Jalen Smith and senior guard Anthony Cowan Jr., the Terrapins are a matchup nightmare for most teams.

The problem for Maryland is they are not the best shooting team from outside and that might cost them. But they are balanced enough to combat that and have enough weapons to win three games in as many days to win the tournament.

Three most important players for IU come tournament time. light. Related Story

Wisconsin

The Badgers were one of the biggest surprises of the Big Ten this year. After losing Ethan Happ to graduation, not many people were expecting much from them this year. Couple that with their struggles in the non-conference and it looked like Wisconsin would be lucky to make the NIT.

Wisconsin, though, found their shot and have been playing some of the best basketball of the year in the last month and a half. They have won eight in a row and won the tiebreakers over both Michigan State and Maryland to get the one seed in the tournament. The Badgers have been on fire from the outside and if they continue to shoot like this they will win the whole thing.

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