Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez says B1G basketball tournament likely to relocate from Chicago

The 2021 Big Ten men’s basketball tournament is likely re-locating, according to Wisconsin athletic directory Barry Alvarez.

The Big Ten powerbroker said the tournament is likely to move to Indianapolis.

#Badgers AD Barry Alvarez tells the Athletic Board that it looks like the B1G men's basketball tournament will move from Chicago to Indianapolis and teams that make the NCAA tournament will just stay there afterward.

— Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) January 29, 2021

This move would be in line with COVID-19 procedures. Because the NCAA Tournament is being held in Indiana, it makes sense to keep teams in the same location rather than undergo travel immediately before March Madness.

College basketball insider Jon Rothstein first reported the potential for the Big Ten to end up moving their conference tournament.

This has been an excellent season for Big Ten basketball so far. The conference currently has 13 teams with the potential to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, with only Nebraska being out of contention.

According to KenPom, the Big Ten has five of the nation’s best 12 teams and 11 of the top 45 squads. No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Iowa are currently the highest-rated teams in the conference.

The Big Ten tournament will take place March 10-13.