Big Ten Tournament Bracket: Iowa Men’s Basketball Takes on Illinois Thursday

Day one of the Big Ten Tournament is in the books and while there were only two games, we already have our first upset. Wednesday’s matchups from the United Center pitted #12 seed Rutgers against #13 seed Nebraska in the early game, followed by #14 Northwestern against #11 Illinois.

Neither game was terribly thrilling, but Nebraska did give us our first upset of the tournament. They knocked off Rutgers, playing without Issa Thiam who was removed from the team and faces deportation for charges of domestic violence, 68-61. Perhaps more entertaining than anything to happen on the court was what happened to Nebraska coach Tim Miles off it.

If that doesn’t sum up the University of Nebraska I don’t know what does.

The late game between Northwestern and Illinois was the one most Hawkeye fans were interested in. It was a bit of a brick-fest with the teams going a combined 13 of 51 (25%) from beyond the arc. It was such a thrilling game, someone ordered seconds.

The overtime period may be of some help to the Hawkeyes given they were awaiting the winner. They’ll take on Illinois this evening with a scheduled tip time of 8:30pm CT, though that’s likely to be moved back. The Fighting Illini took outlasted Northwestern 74-69.

Today features a full slate of 4 games. The action kicks off at 11:30am CT with #9 Indiana taking on #8 Ohio State. That’s followed by #13 Nebraska and #5 Maryland. Then it’s #10 Penn State and #7 Minnesota at 6pm before the sixth-seeded Hawkeyes take on the aforementioned Fighting Illini. All of Thursday’s games will be broadcast on BTN.

Here’s your updates bracket for today.

Go Hawks!

Image via @COLLEGESPORTSSS