Bracket Bound or Bubble Burst: Whether or not each Big Ten team will make the NCAA Tournament

The college basketball season is currently at the most exciting point of the regular season. Non-league games are all wrapped up and conference play is in full swing. With Selection Sunday less than two months away, teams are starting to put together their resumes and figuring out the work they need to do to ensure a spot in the 68-team field.

One conference that normally makes up a large chunk of that field in the Big Ten. Typically sending around 6-10 teams, the Big Ten should see those numbers go up, considering they added four new teams to the conference this offseason in Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington.

With those additions, the Big Ten now contains 18 total teams for basketball. How many of those teams will make the tournament, and who will they be? Who will be bound for the bracket and whose bubble has already burst? Allow me to open up my crystal ball and spoil the future for every team in the Big Ten and explain why they are either bracket-bound or had their bubble burst.

Illinois: Bracket Bound

The Fighting Illini went 8-2 in their non-conference schedule with their only two losses coming against No. 8 Alabama and No. 1 Tennessee. They also have two ranked conference wins over then No. 20 Wisconsin and No. 9 Oregon. Barring a total collapse, Illinois will be a top-four seed come March.

Indiana: Bubble Burst

The Hoosiers will most likely be at or near the cutline on Selection Sunday. They currently rank 60 in the NET with zero wins over teams that are projected to make the field. They need some resume-building wins over the next two months.

Iowa: Bracket Bound

The Hawkeyes are in a similar spot to Indiana, but they just beat the Hoosiers 85-60 over the weekend. Three of their four losses were by 10 points or less to tournament-bound teams.

Maryland: Bracket Bound

The Terrapins have strong wins against Ohio State, Villanova and UCLA on their resume. They also currently only have two road games left against teams currently in the Top 25. This veteran-heavy team should be able to handle business.

Michigan: Bracket Bound

The Wolverines also have a case as the best team in the Big Ten. They are 5-0 in conference play and still continue to improve their 13-3 record with wins over No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 22 Xavier and No. 22 UCLA.

Michigan State: Bracket Bound

The Spartans have won nine straight and currently sit at 5-0 in Big 10 play. Their tournament streak will definitely continue

Minnesota: Bubble Burst

Quite easily the worst team in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers are 0-6 in conference play with zero wins against power conference opponents.

Nebraska: Bubble Burst

The Cornhuskers' inability to win road games will ultimately doom them. Their win against No. 14 Creighton does not look as strong as it did in November.

Northwestern: Bubble Burst

Their win against No. 19 Illinois is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Losses to Iowa, Penn State and Dayton will likely keep the Wildcats out of the field.

Ohio State: Bracket Bound

Another team squarely on the cut line, the Buckeyes hold wins over No. 4 Kentucky and No. 19 Texas. Their schedule should allow them to stack up wins and finish in the top half of the Big Ten, placing them in the bracket.

Oregon: Bracket Bound

The Ducks have two ranked wins this year against No. 9 Alabama and No. 20 Texas A&M. Their recent slide is concerning but Dana Altman should be able to get the team to March. How they perform when they get there is a different story.

Penn State: Bubble Burst

The Nittany Lions looked like a tournament lock after their dominant win over No. 8 Purdue, but since then they have lost four of their last five conference games. Their lack of signature non-conference wins may come back to haunt them.

Purdue: Bracket Bound

The Boilermakers have been dominant in conference play outside of a loss to Penn State. Wins over No. 2 Alabama and No. 23 Ole Miss will help their case for another top seed in the tournament.

Rutgers: Bubble Burst

On paper, the Scarlet Knight should be tournament-bound. Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper have lived up to expectations, but that’s been it. The two freshman phenoms are the only players showing up every night, and that is not good enough to make the dance.

UCLA: Bubble Burst

Something is off with the Bruins right now. They have lost four in a row and five of their last six. Their wins over No. 12 Oregon, Arizona and No. 14 Gonzaga may save them, but time is running out.

USC: Bubble Burst

The Trojans already have six losses, one of which came against an 8-8 California squad. This team will be left out due to their quantity of losses.

Washington: Bubble Burst

To be fair, the Huskies were not expected to contend in year one of the Danny Sprinkle era. This is a squad taking its lumps in their first year in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin: Bracket Bound

Non-conference wins against No. 9 Arizona, UCF and Pitt have put the Badgers comfortably in the field. They just need to stay above .500 in Big Ten play and they should be fine.

Nate Johns is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jzn5275@psu.edu.