🔴 Live Now: Quarterfinal Friday Updates

Top-four seeds take the court following three days of thrillers

Quarterfinal games (on Big Ten Network)

• No. 1 seed Michigan 71, No. 8 seed Ohio State 67 ( Recap )
• No. 5 seed Wisconsin vs. No. 4 seed Illinois (Preview below) – LIVE NOW
• No. 7 seed Purdue vs. No. 2 seed Nebraska (Preview below) – 5:30 p.m. CT
• No. 6 seed UCLA vs. No. 3 seed Michigan State (Preview below) – 25 minutes after Purdue-Nebraska

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 .

🔴 Live Now: No. 5 seed Wisconsin vs. No. 4 seed Illinois

Game preview below. This game is LIVE NOW on Big Ten Network.

Still to come: No. 7 seed Purdue vs. No. 2 seed Nebraska (5:30 p.m. CT), No. 6 seed UCLA vs. No. 3 seed Michigan State (25 minutes after).

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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 .