2015 Big Ten Basketball Final Two Week Preview

Two weeks left in the Big 10 basketball season, but there is still a lot left to play for.  With four games to play, Wisconsin has a three game lead in the conference standings, but it’s not a lock just yet.  With three road games left (Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio State), and a home game against Michigan State, they very easily could finish 2-2.  Although a 1-3 or 0-4 finish would be surprising, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.

After that, there is a very heated race to finish in the top 4 of the conference, and earn a double-bye in the Big 10 tournament.  Maryland, Michigan State and Purdue currently sit in the three remaining coveted spots, but Indiana and Ohio State will push to make it in, with Iowa and Illinois being dark horses. 

Michigan seems to be at a level by themselves, where they can’t make it into the top four, but will not play in the first day of the tournament either.  Day 1 has Rutgers, Penn State and Northwestern locked in, with Nebraska being the favorite the be the fourth team after they were blown out by 28 at home to Iowa, resulting in Tim Miles revoking their locker room privileges from them. Although Minnesota has the same record as Nebraska, they have a home game remaining against Penn State, the only game either of the two teams will be favored in.  

Below is a ranking of the toughest schedules remaining for the Big 10 teams, based off of the average conference winning percentage for each team's remaining opponents.

1. Michigan State: .644 (MINN, @WIS, PUR, @IU)
2.  Rutgers: .632 (@PUR, MD, @UM)
3.  Minnesota: .614 (@MSU, WIS, PSU)
4.  Nebraska - .595 (@OSU, @ILL, MD)
5. Wisconsin - .583 (@MD, MSU, @MINN, @OSU)
6.  Ohio State - .544 (NEB, PUR, @PSU, WIS)
7. Northwestern - .535 (IU, @ILL, UM, @IOWA)
8. Indiana - .524 (@NW, IOWA, MSU)
9. Penn State - .492 (IOWA, OSU, @MINN)
10. Purdue - .480 (RU, @OSU, @MSU, ILL)
11. Illinois - .476 (@IOWA, NW, NEB, @PUR)
12. Maryland - .465 (WIS, UM, @RUT, @NEB)
13. Michigan - .449 (@MD, @NW, RUT)
14. Iowa - .396 (ILL, @PSU, @IU, NW)

If Michigan State wins out, there is a very slim possibility of winning a share of the title, but will likely finish second or tied for second with Maryland.  Splitting the final four games is probably the most likely, which could see them tied with Purdue and Indiana for 3rd, assuming Purdue also splits and Indiana wins out.

As of 2/23/15: Courtesy of Big Ten Network