Men's Big Ten Tournament: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The Big Ten Tournament field is set and the bracket took a surprising turn in the final days of the regular season.

Wisconsin’s shocking home loss to Penn State, who didn’t even qualify for the tournament, cost the Badgers a coveted double bye.

As a result, UCLA slid into the #4 seed, joining Maryland, Michigan and Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan State as the four teams that won’t have to play until Friday’s quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois and Oregon are seeded #5 through #8 and will begin their tournament runs on Thursday, awaiting the winners of Wednesday’s matchups (aside from Oregon, who plays Indiana on Thursday).

Michigan State enters the tournament as the clear favorite after closing the season on a seven-game win streak and finishing three games ahead of the rest of the conference.

Tom Izzo’s squad, built on depth, defense and rebounding, has proven it can win in multiple ways, but its shaky three-point shooting and vulnerability to the deep ball raise concerns in a single-elimination setting. While MSU is the safest bet, the value isn’t quite there at +250.

As for the longshots, Rutgers at +15000 is an intriguing play. The Scarlet Knights have struggled with consistency all season, but Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper - both projected top-three NBA Draft picks - could put on a show in their final college games.

Now, let’s get into our three best value plays for the Big Ten Tournament.

2025 Men's Big Ten Tournament betting picks and predictions

Illinois To Win Big Ten Tournament (+650)

Illinois enters the Big Ten Tournament as one of the most intriguing value picks. Despite a rollercoaster season filled with injuries, inconsistent shooting and a brutal non-conference schedule, the Fighting Illini are heating up at the right time.

They closed the season strong, securing impressive wins over Iowa and at Michigan by 20, before taking down Purdue by eight points.

One of the biggest factors in Illinois’ favor is their balance. Per KenPom, they rank 15th in offense and 30th in defense, making them one of the most analytically sound teams in the field.

While their three-point shooting was lackluster throughout conference play, hitting just 30.4%, they’ve shown signs of positive regression, shooting 35.4% from deep in their last three games.

Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis is the x-factor. The projected lottery pick is a 6’6” point guard who, when healthy and in rhythm, can take over games.

Illinois also possesses elite length and athleticism, ranking third in the country in limiting opponents’ three-point attempts. Their defensive versatility allows them to guard multiple positions, making them a tough matchup for any opponent.

With a fast-paced style of play and an ability to attack inside, Illinois has the tools to pull off a tournament run.

While they’ll need to win four straight games as a #7 seed, their depth, improved shooting and strong interior presence, aided by the return of rebounding machine - freshman forward Morez Johnson Jr. - make them a legitimate contender at +650.

Wisconsin To Win Big Ten Tournament (+650)

The Badgers were one of the most consistent teams throughout the season, at one point looking like potential Big Ten regular-season champions.

However, they stumbled down the stretch, finishing 2-3 in their last five games, including that unexpected home loss to Penn State.

Despite the late-season slide, Wisconsin remains a formidable team. They boast the 11th-ranked offense and 33rd-ranked defense per KenPom, an excellent balance that makes them dangerous in a tournament setting.

Their offensive philosophy is built on three-point shooting and free throws - they take minimal mid-range shots and instead attack the rim and launch from beyond the arc.

Notably, they are the best free-throw shooting team in the country, which is a massive advantage in close games.

The return of senior Max Klemsit after missing the final three games is a significant boost. His floor spacing, defensive intensity and leadership stabilize Wisconsin’s rotation.

The backcourt duo of John Tonje (18.9 PPG, 40% from three) and John Blackwell (15.6 PPG) gives the Badgers a legitimate one-two punch.

Wisconsin’s style of play is analytically sound, and while they suffered a late-season dip in three-point shooting (20-for-85 over their final three games), they have the ability to turn things around.

If they regain their early-season form, Wisconsin is a prime candidate to win the Big Ten Tournament at +650.

Oregon To Win Big Ten Tournament (+2200)

Finally, we wrap up with a longer shot: Oregon, flying under the radar as the #8 seed.

The Ducks quietly put together a strong 23-win season and surged back into the top 25 for the first time since January thanks to a seven-game winning streak to close out the regular season. Dana Altman’s squad is deep, experienced and built for tournament play.

Oregon goes a true eight deep, led by Jackson Shelstad, a clutch shot-maker and steady floor general (13.3 PPG).

In the paint, they have a versatile seven-footer in Nate Bittle, who leads the team in scoring (14.1 PPG) and rebounding (7.2 RPG) while providing rim protection and the ability to stretch the floor.

On the perimeter, TJ Bamba brings relentless defensive pressure, while Brandon Angel adds finesse. Off the bench, Supreme Cook and Kwame Evans bring physicality, rebounding and defensive intensity.

Statistically, Oregon is balanced, ranking 35th in offensive efficiency and 36th in defensive efficiency per KenPom. They thrive at forcing opponents off the three-point line and excel at getting to the free-throw line and converting.

While the Ducks don’t dominate in any one area, their consistency, coaching and ability to rise to the occasion make them a dangerous team in March. 

They proved that earlier in the season by winning one of the toughest non-conference tournaments, defeating Texas A&M, San Diego State  and Alabama in succession - all NCAA Tournament teams.

That early-season success should fuel their confidence in this bracket.

Read more college basketball betting picks and predictions on site.

2025 Men's Big Ten Tournament outright odds

Michigan State	+250
Maryland	+400
Purdue	+650
Illinois	+650
Wisconsin	+650
UCLA	+700
Michigan	+1400
Oregon	+2200
Indiana	+5000
Ohio State	+6000
Rutgers	+15000
Northwestern	+25000
USC	+25000
Iowa	+30000
Minnesota	+50000

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.