College Basketball: What to Watch for in Conference Tournaments

Big Ten

March 8th through March 12th, Verizon Center, Washington D.C., CBS

Team to Watch: Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers were one of the favorites to win the Big Ten in the preseason as they returned three starters from the team that reached the Sweet 16 a year ago. Using their notoriously grinding pace and hard-nosed defense, they took the conference by storm this year, winning 10 of their first 11 league games.

They were poised to capture their second regular-season title in the last three seasons, but the bottom fell out. Over Wisconsin's final seven games, the Badgers managed to win just two as their defense was uncharacteristically soft. Against Ohio State and Michigan State, they allowed over 83 points per game, something that happened only one other time previously all year.

The second-seeded Badgers are by far the biggest wildcards entering a wide-open Big Ten tournament. They could lose to either Indiana or Iowa in their first game or make a run all the way to the title, neither of which would shock anyone.

Player to Watch: Caleb Swanigan, Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers finished first in the Big Ten this season thanks in large part to the overwhelming best player in the conference, Caleb Swanigan. The sophomore finished second in the conference in points per game (18.6) and first in rebounding (12.6). Not only was he tied for first in all of the nation in double-doubles with 25, but Swanigan also posted four games with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

A bullying presence down-low, the 6'9" forward also added a three-point shot to his game this season, averaging 1.0 made threes per game while hitting them at a 45% clip. His versatility has helped the Boilermakers achieve top-25 efficiency on both offense and defense, per KenPom.com, and become the clear cut favorite to cut the nets down in the Big Ten.

Potential Game to Watch: Iowa vs. Wisconsin Quarterfinal

Currently sitting on the wrong side of the bubble, the Hawkeyes desperately need to rack up some wins to hear their name on Selection Sunday. If they get past the Hoosiers in their opening game, they will face the slumping Badgers, who need a victory in their own right. The last time the two schools met, just over a week ago, Iowa knocked off Wisconsin, 59-57, in Madison.