Who Wins Big Ten Basketball Tournament? Odds & Expert Picks

• Michigan State (+200), Maryland (+475), and Wisconsin (+475) are all ranked within the top 20 in the country
• The Big Ten is tied with the SEC for the conference with the most teams ranked in the AP Top 25 (7)

INDIANAPOLIS – The Big Ten Tournament kicks off Wednesday with Minnesota facing Northwestern at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

College basketball betting sites list Michigan State as the favorite to take home the conference title after finishing the regular season with a 26-5 record, going 17-3 in conference play.

Maryland was not far behind at 24-7 and finished the season ranked 11th in the country. Wisconsin went 23-8 and was ranked 18th.

2025 Big Ten Tournament Odds

• Michigan State: +200
• Maryland: +475
• Wisconsin: +475
• Illinois: +550
• UCLA: +650
• Purdue: +850
• Michigan: +1100
• Oregon: +1600
• Indiana: +5000
• Ohio State: +6000
• Iowa: +20000
• Northwestern: +25000
• USC: +25000
• Minnesota: +30000

Defense Wins Championships

Michigan State is always a threat as long as Tom Izzo is at the helm, and that story is no different this year. The Spartans feature a ten man rotation with no one player averaging over 27 minutes per game.

Jaden Akins is the leading scorer for the Spartans, averaging just under 13 points per game, but is shooting just 40% from the field and 30% from deep. Michigan State’s defense may be enough to get them a conference title, but their lack of outside shooting could hurt.

Maryland is stout on defense as well, ranking ninth in the country, according to KenPom. They are led by big man Derik Queen, averaging about 16 points and 9 rebounds per game.

The Terrapins lost to Michigan State by three points in late February. Their efficient three-point shooting and up-tempo pace of play give them a good shot at avenging that loss.

Wisconsin has the best offense of the three, ranking 11th in the country in offensive efficiency. Senior guard John Tonje is averaging about 19 points per game this season while shooting 38% from deep.

They did lose to Michigan State and Maryland earlier in the year, but anything is possible in March and Wisconsin fits the bill of a Cinderella, and legal sports betting sites agree.

More Ranked Teams

Illinois finished the season ranked 24th, Purdue at 20th, Michigan 22nd, and Oregon finished 23rd.

Illinois won the conference tournament last season and looks to repeat after losing Terrence Shannon Jr. to the NBA. The Fighting Illini play at the 16th fastest pace in the country and are stout on both ends, but do not shoot the three very well.

Purdue is one of the best offenses in the country led by Braden Smith, but is not as good defensively as the rest of their conference foes and play at a snail’s pace. Not a recipe for success in March.

Michigan is solid on both ends of the floor, especially defensively, but likely won’t have the firepower necessary to keep up with better opponents.

Oregon is another team that has shown flashes of both offensive and defensive prowess, but does not specialize in either one enough to be considered a good bet to win the Big 10 Tournament.

• Safe Pick: Michigan +200
• Best Bet: Maryland +475
• Best Value: Maryland +475

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