These Four Games are Pivotal in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Race.
By Dante Pryor
There is a log jam atop the Big Ten Women's Basketball standings. The second-ranked Buckeyes officially locked up the Big Ten Regular season title and the number-one seed in the conference tournament with their 67-51 win against Michigan on Wednesday night. That still leaves the 2nd-4th seeds up for grabs.
#6 Iowa and #14 Indiana sit at 14-3 in Big Ten play, splitting their two meetings. One game separates Nebraska and Michigan State, with the Cornhuskers winning their only meeting this season. There's a lot yet to be decided in the Big Ten. Here are four key games to end the season.
. 12:00 PM. FOX. 25-4. 812. March 3, 2024. Big Ten Women's Basketball. 483. 25-3
It is an inaccurate assumption that #2Ohio State has nothing to play for in its season finale against #6 Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday afternoon. Nothing can be further from the truth. The Buckeyes are playing for seeding. A win against the Hawkeyes at one of the best home-court advantages is a tremendous resume builder for Ohio State.
A win for #6 Iowa would likely lock them in for one of the three remaining top seeds in the Big Ten Tournament and a double bye.
16-11. Peacock. March 3, 2024. Indiana v. Maryland. 23-4. 2:00 PM. 439. 813.
Much like the Hawkeyes, the Hoosiers are all but guaranteed one of the three remaining top seeds in the tournament. A win to close out the season could either tie them with Iowa or give them the second seed outright if Iowa loses to Ohio State. If both Iowa and Indiana win, the second seed would come down to common opponents.
Big Ten Network. 807. 19-9. 810. March 3, 2024. Nebraska v. Illinois. 13-13. . 2:00 PM
If Nebraska can win in Champaign on March 3rd, they would lock up the fourth and final double bye for the Big Ten Tournament. The 'Huskers own the tie breaker against the team chasing them, Michigan State. However, Illinois is playing much better basketball and Nebraska had better be ready to defend out to the three point line if they want to win this one.
. February 29. 2024. Illinois v Michigan State. 20-7. 805. 7:00 PM. 13-13. 481. Big Ten Network
It seems like the Illini could figure prominently in the race for the fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They play both teams vying for that coveted spot. If Michigan State defeats Illinois, that puts them in a tie with Nebraska in conference at 11-6. However, Nebraska owns the tie breaker, so the Spartans need to win out (they close the season at Wisconsin) and for Illinois to play spoiler to get the fourth seed.