The Michigan State Spartans are favored to win the Big Ten basketball tournament.
The top teams, according to OddsShark, are as follows:
- Michigan State +140
- Michigan +225
- Purdue +300
- Wisconsin +600
- Maryland +1400
Michigan State and Michigan seem like the obvious picks here, but I’d actually avoid both. It’s not that I don’t think they can win. I most certainly do, but I just don’t see a lot of value in the Spartans and Wolverines. (RELATED: Wisconsin Blows Out Iowa 65-45, Khalil Iverson Throws Down Big Dunk)
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The value starts with Purdue down, and there’s a ton of it in Wisconsin at +600 and Maryland at +1400.
Let’s take a look at the path for those two teams. Maryland plays the winner of Nebraska/Rutgers Thursday and then will almost certainly end up playing Wisconsin Friday. (RELATED: Watch Big Ten Network ‘The Journey’ Segment On Ethan Happ)
After that, there will likely be games against Michigan State and Michigan/Purdue in the title game. It’s not an impossible path, and there’s a ton of value in the numbers you’re getting.
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Two taps for Ethan Happ earning First-Team All-Big Ten for the third time in his career!
I’m not putting a penny on either school from Michigan, but I might not have a choice when it comes to Wisconsin at +600 and Maryland at +1400.
Again, that’s not to say the Spartans or Michigan won’t win it all. I’m just talking about value here, and the Badgers and Terrapins are criminally undervalued.
Sound off in the comments with who you’re taking and your predictions for the tournament. Action gets underway tomorrow. I know you’ll all be watching.