Updates: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
Daily scores, coverage, and recaps from the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
Historic Programs Clash for Tournament Title
Purdue vs. Michigan slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS
After an epic five days full of broken records, overtime thrillers, and last-second nail-biters, the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament is down to its final two teams: No. 7 seed Purdue and No. 1 seed Michigan.
How We Got Here
The defending tournament champion Wolverines received a triple bye into Friday's quarterfinals after clinching the No. 1 seed in the tournament. There, they fended off a final-minute push from No. 8 seed Ohio State to advance. In the semifinals, Michigan faced a red-hot No. 5 seed Wisconsin team with the tournament's most dynamic duo in Nick Boyd and John Blackwell. There, Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg drilled an iconic, last-second three to send the Maize and Blue back to the championship game.
No. 7 seed Purdue joined the tournament action on Thursday after earning a single bye. After highs and lows throughout the regular season, the Boilers and Braden Smith have played like the team everyone knew they could be. They cruised past No. 15 seed Northwestern and Big Ten leading scorer Nick Martinelli, 81-66, in their opening game, where Smith broke the single-game tournament assists record with 16 helpers. Purdue led wire-to-wire against No. 2 seed Nebraska to advance to the semifinals, where they answered every push from No. 6 seed UCLA in a 73-66 victory to return to the championship game.
The Matchup
Last Time Out
The tournament finalists last met on February 17, when No. 1-ranked Michigan defeated No. 7 Purdue, 91-80, in a contest that saw five lead changes in the first six minutes before the Wolverines took the lead for good. The Maize and Blue's offense was firing on all cylinders, with six players finishing in double digits. Smith and Kaufman-Renn each scored 20+ points, but Fletcher Loyer was the only other Boiler to finish with 10+.
Key for Purdue
If Purdue wants to become just the second Big Ten team to defeat Michigan this season, it'll need to activate Oscar Cluff early and often. Cluff led the Boilers with a double-double in the semifinals yesterday and will have a tough one-on-one matchup today in Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Aday Mara. He had just four points in their last meeting. The Boilermakers have played their best basketball of the year on the tournament stage so far. Can they keep it going against the Wolverines?
One last note on the Boilers: Braden Smith is just 13 helpers shy of breaking the NCAA's all-time assists record. Could he climb to the top and lead Purdue to another championship?
Check out Purdue's full scout here .
Watching the Wolverines
As long as Michigan plays its game, it'll be in the fight. The Wolverines are battle-tested, locked in on defense, and have shown their ability to come through in close games time and time again – including twice already on the postseason stage.
While Lendeborg hasn't had quite the offensive production they're used to in these last couple games, the Wolverines have showcased their versatility and their depth with near-untouchable scoring from their bench. Not to mention the main characters have been on point. Top-to-bottom, they've got the tools to take this all the way, sweep this season's Big Ten titles, defend last season's tournament championship, and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Read Michigan's full game preview here .
The Championship Sunday Showdown
We've seen nothing but true, epic March basketball so far at the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, and we'll expect nothing less today. Tune in to CBS at 2:30 p.m. CT today to watch the championship game between No. 7 seed Purdue and No. 1 seed Michigan.
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Semifinal Saturday
Wolverines, Boilers set for championship showdown
Semifinal games (on CBS):
- No. 1 seed Michigan 68, No. 5 seed Wisconsin 65 ( Recap )
- No. 7 seed Purdue 73, No. 6 seed UCLA 66 ( Recap ).
Want to see the championship game in person? Click here .
YAXEL. LENDEBORG. GAME-WINNER.
In a game that defines March basketball, No. 5 seed Wisconsin came back from a 15-point deficit to bring its rematch with Michigan down to the wire. That's when Big Ten Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg drilled a last-second three to bring No. 1 seed Michigan's title defense back to the championship game. More here .
Purdue Returns to Title Game
No. 7 seed Purdue punched its ticket to the Big Ten title game with a gritty 73-66 win over No. 6 seed UCLA. The Boilers answered every Bruins run, fueled by Oscar Cluff’s double-double and Braden Smith’s nine assists, leaving Smith just 13 shy of the NCAA all-time record. Read the story .
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Classics Delivered on Quarterfinal Friday
Three upsets leave four teams and two championship bids
Quarterfinal games (on Big Ten Network):
- No. 1 seed Michigan 71, No. 8 seed Ohio State 67 ( Recap )
- No. 5 seed Wisconsin 91, No. 4 seed Illinois 88 ( Recap )
- No. 7 seed Purdue 74, No. 2 seed Nebraska 58 ( Recap )
- No. 6 seed UCLA 88, No. 3 seed Michigan State 84 ( Recap )
Want to see the semifinals and championship game in person? Click here .
Wolverines Hold Off Buckeyes in 71-67 Victory
No. 1 seed Michigan struck first, building an early lead. But the Buckeyes weren't done—a fierce rally set up a nail-biting final minute that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Aday Mara stepped up when it mattered most in the 71-67 classic. Michigan's full recap here .
Wisconsin’s Dynamic Duo Shines in 91-88 OT Epic
Nick Boyd and John Blackell scored a combined 69 points to lead No. 5 seed Wisconsin over No. 4 seed Illinois. It's the second time this season that the Badgers have overcome a double-digit deficit to come back and down the Illini in OT. Boyd and Blackwell also made tournament history. See how .
Full Steam Ahead: Purdue Advances to Tournament Semifinals
No. 7 seed Purdue seized control and never looked back, cruising to a wire-to-wire, 74-58 victory over No. 2 seed Nebraska to advance to the semifinals of the TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. Four Boilers finished in double figures to advance. Check out the full recap .
How 'Bout Them Bruins?
The No. 6 seed UCLA Bruins fended off a late comeback from No. 3 seed Michigan State to advance to their first Big Ten Tournament semifinal. Donovan Dent led the Bruins in scoring, while Trent Perry drilled six free throws in the last minute to lock in the 88-84 win. Get the full story .
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Quarterfinal Previews
The first three days of the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament have been everything fans hoped for. We've seen records broken, massive comebacks, possession-by-possession thrillers, and overtime epics. Most notable on the court so far:
- Purdue's Braden Smith broke the tournament records for single-game assists (16), career assists (66), and climbed into second on the NCAA's all-time career assists leaderboard in the Boilers' win over Northwestern.
- Donovan Dent of UCLA posted the first triple-double in Big Ten Tournament history , recording 12 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in the Bruins' triumph over Rutgers.
- Ohio State and Wisconsin both fended off massive comebacks from Iowa and Washington, respectively. Both games were eventually decided by one possession after double-digit deficits. Bruce Thornton came through for the Buckeyes with 24 points, while John Blackwell broke the Badgers' single-game tournament scoring record with 34.
- In the earlier rounds, Washington beat USC in an overtime thriller , Northwestern and Nick Martinelli mounted a huge comeback to upset Indiana, and Rutgers avenged its earlier loss to Minnesota behind Tariq Francis' program-record-breaking night .
Looking at our quarterfinal matchups today, these will be the type of games that define March basketball.
No. 8 seed Ohio State vs. No. 1 seed Michigan
"The Game" takes the postseason court as No. 8 seed Ohio State faces No. 1 seed Michigan for the third time this season in hopes of avenging their regular-season losses to the Wolverines and toppling the Big Ten's top team on the tournament stage.
Michigan, looking to defend its 2025 tournament title, held OSU to under 63 points scoring in each of their meetings this season. The Wolverines are one of three Big Ten programs to have earned back-to-back titles (2017-18) and will look to cap off a dominant 29-2 regular season with a tournament trophy. If the Buckeyes hope to upset, they'll need a balanced offense. Bruce Thornton will lead offensive charge, but needs OSU's other options to help spread Michigan's defense. Look for Christoph Tilly and John Mobley Jr. to make an impact.
Of course, that'll be easier said than done against a Wolverines squad with a red-hot Trey McKenney (47.3% from three in last four games), elite playmaker Elliot Cadeau, and an absolute force in Aday Mara.
No. 5 seed Wisconsin vs. No. 4 seed Illinois (25 minutes after on BTN)
My, oh, my, is Illinois going to have a chip on its shoulder coming into this one. When Wisconsin came to Champaign in February, the Badgers rallied from a double-digit deficit to knock off then-No. 8 ranked Illinois in overtime.
The Illini are 24-7 overall, finishing with the program's most regular-season victories in the last 20 years. They will rely on Big Ten Freshman of the Year Keaton Wagler, who has scored in double-figures in 23 consecutive games. Then, of course, there are their twin, seven-foot towers, Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic.
But they'll all have to contend with Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, who combined for 57 points in Wisconsin's win over Washington yesterday. Blackwell's 34 bomb set a new Badger tournament record.
We'll see if the Illini can hold them down about 25 minutes after game one on Big Ten Network.
No. 7 seed Purdue vs. No. 2 seed Nebraska (5:30 p.m. CT on BTN)
The last time the Boilers and Huskers did battle, Purdue outlasted Nebraska in a gritty, 80-77 overtime epic in Lincoln. Oscar Cluff scored the eventual game-winner with 5.9 seconds left, and he recorded a double-double in yesterday's game with 19 points and 10 rebounds. (Keep an eye on him – Purdue is 7-0 when he records a double-double).
The Boilers hope to repeat their victory and reach their fourth semifinal appearance in the last five years. Braden Smith, the best playmaker in Purdue history, will need to get the whole offense involved, including Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, who shot 8-of-9 from the field in yesterday's game and is averaging 24.3 points per game in his last three Big Ten Tournament games.
But the Huskers are well-equipped between Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Braden Frager, Big Ten Coach of the Year Fred Hoiberg (voted by coaches), and Lute Olson Award finalist Pryce Sandfort. The Boilers will also be up against All-Big Ten Defensive Team honoree Sam Hoiberg, who anchored Nebraska's counterattack to lead the league in scoring defense, steals, and three-point percentage.
Check out this quarterfinal contest at 5:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
No. 6 seed UCLA vs. No. 3 seed Michigan State (25 minutes after on BTN)
The man, the myth, the legend Tom Izzo brings his Michigan State crew to the United Center for their 2026 Big Ten Tournament debut and another meeting with UCLA. The Spartans handled the Bruins in a 82-59 win last month in which they led by 31 points in the second half.
But last night's UCLA squad? Looked like a completely different team. Not only did Donovan Dent record the first triple-double in Big Ten Tournament history, but Tyler Bilodeau finished with 21 points, and their defense was air-tight in the Bruins' 72-59 win over Rutgers.
The Bruins will need that counterattack to be locked in again today against Jeremy Fears Jr., who leads the nation with 9.1 assists per game. Not to mention the rebounding machine that is Jaxon Kohler (9.1 per game), and dominant dunker Coen Car.
Interesting in this one? The pace. MSU likes to work quickly and leads the Big Ten in fast break points (16.3 per game), where as UCLA works in a slower system. We'll see if the Spartans' bid for a conference-leading seventh Big Ten Tournament title continues about 25 minutes after the conclusion of Purdue-Nebraska.
Check back here for updates on the tournament, or grab tickets to be there in person!
Want updates on your team throughout the tournament? Click here and tell us who you root for.
Third Round Recaps
UCLA's Dent, Purdue's Smith make tournament history as top seeds advance to quarterfinals
Third round final scores:
- No. 8 seed Ohio State 72, No. 9 seed Iowa 69 ( Recap )
- No. 5 seed Wisconsin 85, No. 12 seed Washington 82 ( Recap )
- No. 7 seed Purdue 81, No. 15 seed Northwestern 66 ( Recap )
- No. 6 seed UCLA 72, No. 14 seed Rutgers 59 ( Recap )
Survive and Advance: Thornton's 24-point Performance Inches Ohio State Past Iowa
No. 8 seed Ohio State built a huge lead behind dominant play in the paint, but No. 9 seed Iowa stormed back to turn this Big Ten showdown into a heart-stopper. In the final chaotic minutes, clutch free throws and steely resolve helped Ohio State escape a last-gasp Hawkeye comeback. Read the full story .
Wisconsin Scrapes by after Edge-of-Your-Seat Thriller
No. 5 seed Wisconsin survived Washington's furious 18-point comeback attempt in a thrilling 85-82 finish to advance to the quarterfinals. Discover how the Badgers' three-point dominance and John Blackwell’s record-breaking 34 points kept their Big Ten Tournament title hopes alive in the full story here .
Braden Smith Sets Record, Moves to No. 2 on NCAA All-Time Assists List
Braden Smith dropped a tournament-record 16 assists—inching closer to the NCAA all-time mark—to fuel No. 7 seed Purdue’s dominant first half and 81-66 win over No. 15 seed Northwestern. Backed by huge games from Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, the Boilermakers roll on. Read the full recap .
Dent Records First Triple-Double in Big Ten Tournament History
Donovan Dent made Big Ten Tournament history with its first-ever triple-double, powering No. 6 seed UCLA past No. 14 seed Rutgers, 72-59. Details on how rare Dent’s milestone was and Tyler Bilodeau’s 21-point performance in the full game recap .
Want updates on your team throughout the tournament? Click here and tell us who you root for.
Second Round Stories
Two lower seeds advance to day three
Second round tip-off times and scores:
- No. 9 seed Iowa 75, No. 17 Maryland 64 ( Recap )
- No. 12 seed Washington 83, No. 13 seed USC 79 (OT) ( Recap )
- No. 15 seed Northwestern 74, No. 10 seed Indiana 61 ( Recap )
- No. 14 seed Rutgers 72, No. 11 seed Minnesota 67 ( Recap )
Hawkeyes Fly to Third Round of Big Ten Tournament
Iowa surged past Maryland with a dominant second-half performance, fueled by Cooper Koch’s career-high 19 points and a game-changing 21-0 run. The Hawkeyes capitalized on turnovers and showcased clutch shooting to secure a 75-64 victory and advance! Full game story .
Washington Edges USC in Rollercoaster Thriller
No. 12 seed Washington rallied from a 13-point deficit and outlasted No. 13 seed USC in an overtime thriller, 83-79. Zoom Diallo’s 22 points and key counterpunches down the stretch powered the Huskies to victory. Read the game recap .
Second-Half Surge Powers Northwestern to Third Round
No. 15 seed Northwestern powered past No. 10 seed Indiana, 74-61, with Nick Martinelli scoring 28 points and Jake West adding 18. West stepped up early while the Big Ten's leading scorer found his rhythm to help the Wildcats advance in their first two-win tournament since 2017. Full story here .
Scarlet Knights Avenge and Advance
No. 14 seed Rutgers avenged its earlier 19-point loss to No. 11 seed Minnesota with a gritty 72-67 victory, led by Tariq Francis’ record-breaking 29 points. The Scarlet Knights capitalized on turnovers and buried late free throws to seal the win. Read the full recap .
Want updates on your team throughout the tournament? Click here and tell us who you root for.
First Round Recaps
Maryland, Northwestern advance after strong openers
First round final scores:
- No. 17 seed Maryland 70, No. 16 seed Oregon 60 ( Recap )
- No. 15 seed Northwestern 76, No. 18 seed Penn State 66 ( Recap )
Terps Triumph in First Round
No. 17 seed Maryland controlled its opening tournament matchup with No. 16 seed Oregon, wire-to-wire, with a strong first half and balanced scoring. The Terps countered Oregon's late pushes to secure a 70-60 victory and advance in the Big Ten Tournament. Read the full recap here.
Martinelli, Northwestern Outlast Penn State to Advance
Nick Martinelli’s 24 points and a record-breaking 21 assists from No. 15 seed Northwestern fueled a 76-66 victory over No. 18 Penn State. The Wildcats capitalized on turnovers and pulled away late to secure the win. Catch the full recap here.
Want updates on your team throughout the tournament? Click here and tell us who you root for.
The Road to the Big Ten Tournament Title Starts Tuesday
First- and second-round previews of the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
On the first day of the tournament, No. 17 seed Maryland takes on No. 16 Oregon, while No. 18 seed Penn State faces No. 15 Northwestern. Check out (and a look at our first two second-round matchups) the first-round matchup previews here .