As the calendar inches closer and closer to March, it seems more and more questions have yet to be answered in the Big Ten.

Heck, even the champion is in doubt following Purdue’s loss at Ohio State on Sunday, a stunner that left Illinois only a game back in the loss column with 2 1/2 weeks left in the regular season. And, the 2 teams play each other March 3 in Champaign, a showdown that could allow for the Fighting Illini to earn at least a share of the title.

But there are other questions, like about where teams ultimately fall in the seedings for the Big Ten Tournament and about who can make a late-season push to bolster their NCAA Tournament résumé. Let’s take a look at 3 burning questions as the Big Ten hits the homestretch:

Should alarm bells sound in West Lafayette?

Regardless of whether alarm bells should be ringing, they certainly are for a fan base apprehensive about what March could bring, considering the recent failures. But with the Boilermakers coming off a shocking loss in Columbus — Purdue was an 8.5-point favorite at Ohio State, which had fired Chris Holtmann days before, leaving interim coach Jake Diebler making his debut — there’s cause for concern.

It was about this time last year when Purdue seemed to hit a roadblock, losing 3 of 4 games in late February before recovering to win the Big Ten Tournament. But the stretch might have been a harbinger for what was to come, that being the 1st-round NCAA loss to Fairleigh Dickinson. Does any of that apply right now? Maybe or maybe not. This is known: The Boilermakers haven’t played up to their own lofty standards in a few weeks, culminating with the loss to Ohio State. The Buckeyes swarmed Zach Edey, forcing the big man into 6 turnovers, and Purdue couldn’t punish them for their tactics, as they hit only 3 3-pointers. Sports betting apps in Ohio have updated their odds for the Big Ten Tournament.

Purdue hosts Rutgers on Thursday. The Scarlet Knights, behind defensive stalwart Cliff Omoruyi have the personnel to be able to attempt to slow down Edey, although they might not have the offensive weapons to keep up on the scoreboard, particularly in Mackey Arena. Throughout the season, the Boilermakers have shown the ability to adjust, with the addition of Lance Jones making them more versatile offensively. That might be tested Thursday and beyond.

Who will earn the final 2 double-byes?

It’s probably a safe assumption that Purdue (12-3 in the Big Ten) and Illinois (10-4) will be the 1st and 2nd seeds in the Big Ten Tournament next month in Minneapolis.

But for as concrete an assumption that might be, the opposite is true for the 3rd and 4th seeds, who get the tourney’s other 2 double-byes. Right now, Northwestern, Michigan State and Wisconsin are tied at 9-6 in the conference standings, a game ahead of Nebraska (8-7) and 1.5 games ahead of Minnesota (7-7). Although not yet mathematically eliminated, the rest of the field is below .500 in Big Ten play and unlikely to make a significant move.

So who gets the coveted 3rd and 4th spots? Perhaps the Cornhuskers can make a move. Although a game back, Nebraska arguably has the easiest schedule — if one disregards that Nebraska has yet to win a Big Ten road game — because the Cornhuskers have a higher Net Ranking than all 5 of their remaining opponents. If that formula holds true across all Big Ten games remaining, then Nebraska, Northwestern and Michigan State would all finish 13-7 (and Wisconsin at 12-8), with the Cornhuskers and Wildcats getting the byes due to the common opponents tiebreaker.

However, even though Nebraska holds an edge vs. its opponents, 3 of the 5 games are on the road, at Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan. Even though all 3 opponents have certainly been vulnerable at home, it might be a lot to ask for the Cornhuskers, who are only 1-7 in away games this year, to win 3 straight outside of Lincoln.

Wisconsin might have the most challenging road to hanging on to a top-4 seed. The Badgers are already fading (losers of 5 of their last 6), and still have Illinois (home) and Purdue (road) remaining, plus home games vs. Maryland and Rutgers and a trip to Indiana. Perhaps then, it’s Northwestern and Michigan State with the inside track.

Can Gophers rally their way into NCAA Tournament?

Minnesota is not yet on the NCAA bubble, but the Gophers are trying to play their way into consideration.

It’s going to take some work. Minnesota is 16-9 overall, with a Net Ranking of 78, which factors in a 6-8 record vs. Quad 1 and 2 opponents (5 of the wins are vs. Q2). The Gophers scored a giant W vs. Rutgers on Sunday, helping to keep them in the conversation. Three of Minnesota’s final 6 come at home, where it’ll likely be favored vs. Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana. But it’s going to be on the road where the Gophers will need to make a move, potentially even needing to win 2 of 3 vs. Nebraska, Illinois and Northwestern. But that’s not an easy task, considering those 3 are a combined 21-1 on their home courts in the Big Ten this season.

Potentially, the schedule offers a good mix: A chance for the Gophers to win games at home and play their way in by scoring upsets on the road.