March 20, 2024 6:31 am CT
Following the conclusion of conference tournaments across NCAA Division I men’s basketball, the NCAA committee revealed that six Big Ten teams secured bids to the 2024 NCAA DI men’s basketball tournament.
Of the 68 teams that secured a bid, six will represent the Big Ten conference over the coming days. Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska and Northwestern each punched a ticket to the big dance after securing a strong regular season portfolio or making a deep run in the 2024 Big Ten Tournament.
The Badgers, a 19-12 team prior to the conference gauntlet, reached the tournament’s championship game before relinquishing a 10-tally edge in a back and forth battle against Illinois.
Purdue, backed by Zach Edey, lost its semifinal match to UW after Max Klesmit nailed a floater with under 10 seconds to spare in overtime. The Boilermakers, as they tend to do each postseason, enter the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament with high expectations.
Illinois, a No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, automatically clinched a berth to the Big Dance with its conference tournament victory.
Northwestern, Michigan State and Nebraska, on the other hand, each dropped their quarterfinal matches in Minneapolis. Still, the programs’ deserving regular seasons propelled each squad into one of sports’ most celebrated occasions.
Here is a look at how the bracket shakes out for the six teams representing the Big Ten in 2024:
Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) and Purdue Boilermakers guard Lance Jones (55) celebrate during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 96-68.
Seed: #1
Region: Midwest
Opponent: Montana State/Grambling
Network: TBS
Date: March 22
Time: 7:25 p.m. E.T.
Next Opponent: Winner of Utah State vs. TCU
Illinois
Mar 17, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates after defeating Wisconsin Badgers at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: #3
Region: East
Opponent: Morehead State
Network: truTV
Date: March 21
Time: 3:10 p.m. E.T.
Next Opponent: Winner of BYU vs. Duquesne
Wisconsin
Mar 17, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers huddle together in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: #5
Region: South
Opponent: James Madison
Network: CBS
Date: March 22
Time: 9:40 p.m. E.T.
Next Opponent: Winner of Duke vs. Vermont
Nebraska
Mar 3, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Jeremiah Williams (25) shoots a 3-point shot against Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Jamarques Lawrence (10) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: #8
Region: South
Opponent: Texas A&M
Network: TNT
Date: March 22
Time: 6:50 p.m. E.T.
Next Opponent: Winner of Houston vs. Longwood
Michigan State
Jan 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to the referees during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: #9
Region: West
Opponent: Mississippi State
Network: CBS
Date: March 21
Time: 12:15 p.m. E.T.
Next Opponent: Winner of North Carolina vs. Howard/Wagner
Northwestern
Mar 15, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Boo Buie (0) works around Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Seed: #9
Region: East
Opponent: Florida Atlantic
Network: CBS
Date: March 22
Time: 12:15 p.m. E.T.
Next Opponent: Winner of UConn vs. Stetson
