With just days left until Selection Sunday and March Madness, it’s crunch time in conference tournaments around the country.
In the Big Ten, Michigan has run roughshod over the conference and looks like one of the best teams in the country this season. The Wolverines went 29-2 this season and only truly slipped up briefly in a loss to Wisconsin back in January.
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The winner of this conference tournament is likely going to come from one of the top four teams with the double bye (Michigan, Nebraska, MSU, Illinois). With how strong the top of the league is compared to the bottom half, a break until Friday will be extremely beneficial.
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Which other teams could contend in Chicago? Follow along below for scores, highlights, bracketology and more (scroll for live updates).
Big Ten men’s basketball tournament
When: March 10-15
Where: United Center | Chicago
TV: CBS, BTN, Peacock
Big Ten tournament bracket, scores
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Big Ten schedule, results (all times ET)
Thursday, March 12 — Third Round
Game 7 | Ohio State 72, Iowa 69
Game 8 | Wisconsin 85, Washington 82
Game 9 | Purdue 81, Northwestern 68
Game 10 | No. 14 Rutgers vs. No. 6 UCLA | 25 min. after G9 | BTN
Friday, March 13 — Quarterfinals
Game 11 | No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Michigan | 12 p.m. | BTN
Game 12 | No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Illinois | 25 min. after G11 | BTN
Game 13 | No. 7 Purdue vs. No. 2 Nebraska | 6:30 p.m. | BTN
Game 14 | G10 winner vs. No. 3 Michigan State | 25 min. after G13 | BTN
Live37 updatesThu, March 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 7:18 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The UCLA guard has 6 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists with 11:50 to play. There’s never been a triple-double in Big Ten tournament history.
Bruins lead Rutgers 48-38.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 7:06 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Tyler Bilodeau is up to 14 points and the Bruins are on a 14-2 run to open up a 46-31 lead at the first media timeout of the second half.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 6:59 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
We’re back in action for the second half in Chicago.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Here’s where we stand right now with one spot in the Big Ten quarterfinals still up for grabs:
Big Ten tournament bracket.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 6:42 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Tyler Bilodeau leads the Bruins with 9 points.
Harun Zrno’s 9 points leads Rutgers.
Both teams shooting just 31%.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 6:34 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Neither team is shooting well. Both teams exactly 8 of 23 from the field as UCLA holds a narrow 25-22 lead.
Harun Zrno’s 9 points (3 for 3 from deep) is keeping Rutgers in it.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 6:19 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent both have 4 points for the Bruins, who lead 18-14 at the 10-minute mark of the first half.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 6:08 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
After Rutgers scored the first 4 points of the game, UCLA rattled off 8 straight to take an 8-4 lead at the first timeout. Bruins playing tough defense so far.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 5:45 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The last game of the night will be between Rutgers and UCLA. It’s scheduled to begin at 9 ET.
The winner will play No. 3 seed Michigan State.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 5:24 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Matt Painter and Co. had no issues in this one. Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff had 19 points each and Braden Smith finished with 16 assists.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 5:06 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Three Purdue players are now in double digits: Fletcher Loyer has 14 while Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff have 13.
Oh yeah, and Braden Smith now has 13 assists with just over 9 minutes left in the game. He’s headed to the bench though, so we’ll see if he sees the court again tonight.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 4:52 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Braden Smith is now in sole possession of second all time on the NCAA assist list at 1,041 (and counting). Bobby Hurley is just ahead of him with 1,076, so it’s possible Smith could catch him in the NCAA tournament.
Here’s the one that moved him to No. 2:
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 4:48 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
We are back for the second half and it isn’t getting any better for Northwestern.
The Boilermakers are still up 20+ with just over 15 minutes to go in the game.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 4:21 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Boilermakers have clearly turned the page on a regular season that didn’t go according to plan.
Trey Kaufman-Renn is leading the way with 13 points, but Purdue is getting contributions from everybody.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
As is their wont, the Boilermakers are lighting up the scoreboard. They’re now up 20+ points with just over 5 minutes left in the first half.
Purdue is shooting 64% from the field and 50% from 3-point range.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 3:59 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
We’re at the 10-minute mark in the first half and Purdue has extended its lead to 12.
Nick Martinelli is about the only one doing anything offensively for Northwestern.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 3:52 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
You’re gonna want to see this one:
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
Northwestern trails 11-6 at the first TV timeout and is struggling to deal with Purdue big man Oscar Cluff. He has 7 of his team’s 11.
The two teams met just last week and the Boilermakers came away with a tight 70-66 win.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 3:37 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff
We are back in action in Chicago as Northwestern takes on Purdue.
The Wildcats are 13.5-point underdogs in this one after beating Indiana 74-61 on Wednesday.
Thu, March 12, 2026 at 3:34 PM PDT
Yahoo Sports Staff