Big Ten Tournament Preview: Odds, Teams & Betting Tips

After cruising through the regular season with a 19-1 record in Big Ten games and 29-2 overall, the Michigan Wolverines are the clear negative odds favorite on the college basketball spread to repeat as conference tournament champion.

Michigan’s only loss in the last 16 games was to Duke by 5 points last month. The Wolverines handed the prize as the No. 1 ranked team in the country to the Dookies, but UM responded by winning their last 4 games ending the season with a 15-game winning streak against conference opponents.

There are a few changes to this year’s tournament. All 18 Big Ten teams will compete with the top 4 seeds getting a triple bye into the quarterfinal round. That means No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Michigan State and No. 4 Illinois have to win only 3 games to clip the nets.

Big Ten Tournament Preview

The Big Ten men’s basketball tournament runs from Tuesday, March 10 to Sunday, March 15, 2026 at the United Center in Chicago, IL. Games can be seen on Peacock, Big Ten Network and CBS. The title game is set for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on CBS.

Big Ten Tournament Favorites

Michigan Wolverines (29-2, 19-1)

Big Ten player of the year favorite Yaxel Lendeborg leads an imposing frontcourt that dominated the league all season. He averages 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting nearly 51 percent. Aday Mara leads the Big Ten averaging nearly 3 blocks per game. The loss of guard L.J. Cason could create a depth problem in a tournament setting.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (26-5, 15-5)

It’s been such a wonderful season for Nebraska that coach Fred Hoiberg was rewarded with a contract extension. The team matched a program record for wins in a season by beating Iowa 84-75 in the regular season finale. After winning their first 20 games the Huskers were just 6-5 in their final 11.

Michigan State Spartans (25-6, 15-5)

It doesn’t help when your star player does stupid stuff on the court. Jeremy Fears was assessed a technical foul in the Michigan game and could face discipline. When focused Fears is a tremendous talent leading the country with 9.1 assists per game and averaging 15.5 points. The Spartans lost both games to Michigan by double-digits.

Big Ten Tournament Long Shots

Wisconsin Badgers (22-9, 14-6)

They just missed a triple-bye, finishing a game out of fourth-place. As the only Big Ten team and one of two to beat Michigan this season they have to be considered at a decent price. Bucky leads the Big Ten averaging 11.6 made 3-pointers and that’s a great equalizer. Wisconsin made 18 triples in a road win over ranked Purdue.

Ohio State Buckeyes (20-11, 12-8)

There are some challenges ahead with an additional game as the No. 8 seed and a potential matchup with Michigan in the quarterfinals. But the Buckeyes are playing their best ball of the season entering the tournament and boast one of the top players in the conference in Bruce Thornton.

Public Betting Odds Factors

The top-seeded team has won the Big Ten tournament just twice in the last 9 years and upsets are prevalent in conference championships. Michigan survived last season as the No. 3 seed beating No. 5 Wisconsin.

The Badgers finished as runner-up in each of the last 2 years and boast a quality team that’s looking to finally break through for their first title since 2015.

The expanded field makes it difficult for lower seeds to have success. The bottom 4 play in the first round and would need 6 wins in as many nights to claim the title. And there’s a reason why those teams are seeded where they are.

Big Ten Tournament Predictions

There are some concerns about Michigan’s motivation to win the conference tournament but they are still favored against the college basketball spread. They likely get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens and the bigger picture has the Wolverines as a national championship contender.

This is uncharted territory for Nebraska as the Huskers look to reach the title game for the first time since joining the Big Ten. They’ve already advanced farther than any team in school history but one and that is without even playing a game.

Big Ten Tournament Betting Tips

Michigan State has the most Big Ten tournament titles with 6 but the Spartans haven’t reached the title game since claiming their last trophy in 2019.