Big Ten’s most expansive tournament yet is officially in full swing at the United Center in Chicago. All 18 teams earned a spot in the field — up from 15 last season — making this one of the most competitive and unpredictable editions in recent memory. Games run through Sunday, March 15, spread across Peacock, the Big Ten Network, CBS, and their respective streaming platforms. Missing a game this week is entirely optional. Here is everything needed to follow along from the very first tip to the final buzzer of the championship.
How the Big Ten Bracket Took Shape
Tuesday’s play-in round set things in motion with two decisive results. Maryland knocked off Oregon to earn its first-round spot, while Northwestern defeated Penn State to advance and lock in the full field. Those results confirmed all the matchups carrying the tournament through its first full round on Wednesday and beyond.
Michigan enters as the clear favorite, having won the regular season at 29-2 overall and 19-1 in conference play — finishing four full games ahead of the pack. Nebraska, Michigan State, and Illinois all enter tied for second at 15-5, making the semifinal and championship rounds genuinely wide open behind the Wolverines. Any of those three teams has enough firepower to make a serious run before the weekend is over.
Full Schedule and Where to Watch Every Game
Here is the complete game-by-game breakdown for the week
Wednesday, March 11 — First Round
- Noon ET — Iowa vs. Maryland — Peacock
- 2:30 p.m. ET — Washington vs. USC — Peacock
- 6:30 p.m. ET — Indiana vs. Northwestern — Big Ten Network
- 9 p.m. ET — Minnesota vs. Rutgers — Big Ten Network
Thursday, March 12 — Second Round
- Noon ET — Ohio State vs. Iowa-Maryland winner — Big Ten Network
- 2:30 p.m. ET — Wisconsin vs. Washington-USC winner — Big Ten Network
- 6:30 p.m. ET — Purdue vs. Indiana-Northwestern winner — Big Ten Network
- 9 p.m. ET — UCLA vs. Minnesota-Rutgers winner — Big Ten Network
Friday, March 13 — Quarterfinals
- Noon ET — Michigan vs. Ohio State winner — Big Ten Network
- 2:30 p.m. ET — Illinois vs. Wisconsin winner — Big Ten Network
- 6:30 p.m. ET — Nebraska vs. Purdue winner — Big Ten Network
- 9 p.m. ET — Michigan State vs. UCLA winner — Big Ten Network
Saturday, March 14 — Semifinals
- 1 p.m. ET — Semifinal 1 — CBS and Paramount+
- 3:30 p.m. ET — Semifinal 2 — CBS and Paramount+
Sunday, March 15 — Championship
- 3:30 p.m. ET — Championship Game — CBS and Paramount+
Big Ten Network games are also available through the Fox Sports app and can be streamed live via Fubo.
Conference Standings Entering the Week
The full standings heading into the tournament reveal just how deep and talented the field runs this year
- Michigan — 29-2
- Nebraska — 26-5
- Michigan State — 25-6
- Illinois — 24-7
- Purdue — 23-8
- Wisconsin — 22-9
- UCLA — 21-10
- Ohio State — 20-11
- Iowa — 20-11
- Indiana — 18-13
- USC — 18-13
- Minnesota — 15-16
- Washington — 15-16
- Rutgers — 13-18
- Northwestern — 13-18
- Oregon — 12-19
- Penn State — 12-19
- Maryland — 11-20
What to Expect the Rest of the Week
Michigan is the heavy favorite to cut down the nets on Sunday, but tournament basketball has a long history of producing chaos at the worst possible moment for favorites. Nebraska, Michigan State, and Illinois all carry the talent and motivation to knock off the top seed before the weekend closes out. Friday’s quarterfinal slate shapes up as the most compelling stretch of the entire week, with the Wolverines drawing the most anticipation regardless of the opponent lined up across from them.
For streaming, Paramount+ covers the semifinal and championship weekend while Peacock and the Fox Sports app handle the earlier rounds. With 18 teams, high stakes, and a bracket built for upsets, this week in Chicago is worth watching from start to finish.
