Big Ten Basketball 2017 Tournament Preview

Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vincent Edwards (12) celebrates with center Isaac Haas (44) during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Evanston, IL, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vincent Edwards (12) celebrates with center Isaac Haas (44) during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Boilermakers won 69-65. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 Big Ten Basketball Tournament kicks off Wednesday in Washington, DC. 

This year’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament has a new venue — Verizon Center in our nation’s capital. Teams in the conference will be battling to either improve their position in the NCAA Tournament, or make the field all together thanks to a conference championship.

The top four seeds for the tournament consist of Purdue (1), Wisconsin (2), Maryland (3), and Minnesota (4).

Games kick off Wednesday afternoon with the highest seeds taking the court.

No. 12 Nebraska will take on No. 13 Penn State at 4:30 p.m. That contest will air on ESPN2 and be followed by No. 11 Ohio State against No. 14 Rutgers at 7:00 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Thursday will start at noon with a battle between No. 8 Michigan and No. 9 Illinois. Following the first game will be No. 5 Michigan State facing off against the winner of Nebraska-Penn State. Both of the afternoon games will be shown on the Big Ten Network.

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ESPN 2 will handle the Thursday evening games, starting at 6:30 p.m. with No. 7 Iowa taking on No. 10 Indiana. The nightcap will feature No. 6 Northwestern against the winner of Ohio State-Rutgers.

Friday will be the first look at the top four seeds. Top-seeded Purdue will tip things off at noon against the winner of Michigan-Illinois. No 4 Minnesota will be in action in the second game of the day versus the winner of the Michigan State game. ESPN will carry both afternoon contests.

The first Friday night game will pit second-seeded Wisconsin against the winner of Iowa-Indiana. After the completion of that one will be No. 3 Maryland and the winner of the Northwestern game.

Saturday will feature the semi-final games, with television coverage switching to CBS. Game one will be the winner of the Purdue game against the victor in the Wisconsin game. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. the winner of the Maryland game will square off with the winner of the Minnesota game.

Both victorious teams Saturday will advance to the final game of the Big Ten Championship. Tip-off for the championship is set for 3:00 p.m. on CBS.