Big Ten Tournament Day 2 preview: Full schedule, best bets

The Big Ten Tournament rolls along on Thursday with 4 matchups.

Maryland and Penn State both won their opening-round matchups on Wednesday to keep their respective seasons alive and move on to the second round. The Terrapins will take on Wisconsin while the Nittany Lions clash with Indiana. Michigan State-Minnesota highlights the 8-9 matchup while Iowa meets Ohio State in the 7-10 game.

Here’s a look at the slate for Day 2 at the tournament, followed by 3 picks:

(All times Eastern; spread and totals via FanDuel)

Game 3: No. 8 Michigan State vs. No. 9 Minnesota — noon (BTN)

After winning 5 of 6 to close out January and February, the Spartans lost 3 of their final 4 games to end the regular season. Similarly, Minnesota lost 4 of its final 5 regular-season games. Both sides have been wildly streaky throughout the year; Minnesota has a 7-game winning streak and a 4-game losing streak this season while MSU managed a stretch of 8 wins in 10 tries earlier. They split the season series to this point, with both teams winning their respective home games.

Spread: Michigan State -6.5

Total: 135.5

Game 4: No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 12 Maryland — 2 p.m. (BTN)

Wisconsin was tested in the nonconference portion of its schedule and was largely impressive. It walloped a ranked Virginia team and beat Marquette by double-digits. The Badgers rode that momentum into conference play, where they opened with 8 wins in their first nine games to sit at 16-4 overall on Jan. 26. Since, Wisconsin has gone just 3-8. The Badgers beat Maryland 74-70 in Madison on Feb. 20 in what was the only regular-season meeting between the two.

Spread: Wisconsin -3.5

Total: 132.5

Game 5: No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Ohio State — 6:30 p.m. (BTN)

Iowa was dead even against Big Ten competition this season, winning 10 and losing 10. The Hawkeyes are also 9-3 this season coming off of a loss, a potentially important number in the context of Thursday night’s affair. Illinois ended Iowa’s regular season with a 73-61 defeat. The last time these sides met, Iowa was coming off a loss to Indiana and held off the Buckeyes at home for a 79-77 victory. Ohio State, which surged into the postseason with 4 consecutive wins to close out the regular season, will look for some revenge.

Spread: Ohio State -1.5

Total: 152.5

Game 6: No. 6 Indiana vs. No. 11 Penn State — 8:30 p.m. (BTN)

Indiana lost 4 straight and then turned around to win 4 straight to close out the regular season. Sophomore big man Kel’el Ware was huge during the closing run, scoring 27 points in a win over Wisconsin, 26 points in a win at Minnesota, and then 28 to beat Michigan State. While the Hoosiers went 18-13 on the year, they lost both meetings with Penn State. Six 3s from Zach Hicks helped the Nittany Lions to a win over Michigan in the opening round of the B1G tourney on Wednesday.

Spread: Penn State -1.5

Total: 149.5

2 picks against the spread

Michigan State -6.5 (FanDuel)

In the first meeting between these two — a 76-66 MSU victory — the Spartans completely dictated the terms. They forced 19 turnovers and dominated the paint battle, outscoring Minnesota 44-12 in the painted area. In the second meeting, MSU held a 9-point lead before losing Tyson Walker to an injury. Minnesota rallied as the Spartans crumbled and pulled off a 59-56 win. MSU has struggled to close games, but it’s a better team when healthy. There’s not really an area Minnesota should be able to consistently punish MSU, which should be able to impose its will inside and lean on its defense.

Maryland +4.5 (ESPN BET)

Wisconsin isn’t the same team it was to start the season, losing 8 of its final 11. And Maryland’s opening salvo at the Big Ten Tournament certainly looked promising. The Terrapins looked like they were going to boat-race Rutgers, holding a 62-36 lead at one point midway through the second half. This feels like a spot where the team that’s already in a rhythm from the earlier game is able to hang with the higher seed. ESPN BET has Maryland +4.5 priced at -110.

1 player prop

Ohio State G Bruce Thornton over 16.5 points (DraftKings)

The Buckeyes’ leading scorer is averaging 16 a game this season, and we know what they say about guards in the postseason.