Big Ten Tournament 2024 action in Minneapolis is right around the corner, but the picture in the league standings is still very much up for grabs!

Entering Wednesday, teams in the B1G have either 3 or 4 games left in the season while Purdue closes in on a second straight outright title. Behind the Boilermakers, the rest of the race for the top 4 seeds (and recipients of the double-bye in the Big Ten Basketball Tournament) presents some interesting drama to finish the year.

As always, fans can track the latest odds and trends for the rest of the season and the B1G Tournament with Tradition’s Ohio betting apps, but here is a projection for the top 4 seeds in Minneapolis:

1. Purdue

There’s no need to spend much time on Purdue’s outlook. The Boilermakers are 14-3 in conference play with a 2.5-game lead over Illinois.

Purdue’s schedule to finish the season is no easy stretch with Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin to end the year, but the lead is big enough to withstand that slate.

2. Illinois

With 4 games to play, Illinois has a 1.5-game lead over Nebraska and Wisconsin, the teams currently tied for the 4th seed in the conference. The rest of the schedule also shapes up favorable for an Illini squad that is 14-2 at home this season.

Illinois will get Minnesota and Purdue at home but must travel to face Wisconsin and Iowa before the end of the season. In the end, the Illini could slip a bit from their current No. 2 seed but they will not wind up outside the top 4.

3. Nebraska

Nebraska is currently tied with Northwestern for the 4th seed, but the Huskers have by far the most desirable schedule in the conference to finish the regular season. Provided the team stays focused, locking in a double bye is well within reach.

Beginning Thursday night, Nebraska has just 3 games remaining with matchups against Ohio State, Rutgers and Michigan to end the year. Remarkably, those are the 3 teams at the very end of the B1G standings.

Two of the games (Ohio State and Michigan) will be on the road, and Thursday’s game in Columbus actually favors the Buckeyes. However, it’s worth pointing out the Huskers beat Ohio State by 14 points at home earlier in the year.

If Nebraska gets past that game with a win, go ahead and lock in the Huskers as a top-4 seed.

4. Northwestern

The final double-bye in the Big Ten is still lined up to be hotly contested with Wisconsin, Michigan State and Minnesota technically still alive for the top 4. However, a stunning Tuesday night upset by Indiana over the Badgers adjusted the outlook.

Now, Northwestern has 4 games left and a half-game lead over Nebraska and Wisconsin to solidify the seeding. That stretch begins with a road game against Maryland. The Terrapins have responded since a disastrous start to the season and are actually listed as a 5.5-point favorite per ESPN Bet for Wednesday’s matchup.

Things will not let up much for the Wildcats if they can get past Maryland. Northwestern must still face Iowa, Michigan State and Minnesota, including a road trip to East Lansing where the Spartans are always dangerous.

The good news is Michigan State and Wisconsin must both face Purdue in their remaining schedules while the Badgers also have to face Illinois. Northwestern will still need to run the table (still a tall ask) to feel ultimately secure, but other teams around the Wildcats are likely to stumble before the end of the season.