Sports
March Madness: 2025 Big Ten Tournament Tips Off in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The 2025 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament kicks off on Wednesday, March 12, featuring 15 teams vying for the championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Michigan State enters as the top seed, having previously won the conference tournament in 2019. The defending champion, Illinois, will look to repeat their success after defeating Wisconsin in last year’s finals.
The tournament will unfold over five days, culminating in the championship game on Sunday, March 16. The schedule is as follows:
- Wednesday, March 12 — First Round
- Thursday, March 13 — Second Round
- Friday, March 14 — Quarterfinals
- Saturday, March 15 — Semifinals
- Sunday, March 16 — Championship
“The anticipation for the tournament is palpable,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren. “We have a competitive field this year, and it’s anyone’s game.”
Michigan State holds the distinction of winning the most Big Ten titles, totaling six championships. Historically, their last victory came in 2019, which adds to the pressure this season as they seek to reclaim their title.
During the tournament, Michigan State will face stiff competition from other top-seeded teams including Maryland, Michigan, and Purdue, each with strong season records.
Notably, the tournament format this year includes only 15 of the Big Ten’s 18 programs. This unique format has created an exciting dynamic among teams as they compete for one of the coveted berths in the NCAA Tournament.
The full seeding for the tournament is as follows:
- 1. Michigan State (17-3)
- 2. Maryland (14-6)
- 3. Michigan (14-6)
- 4. UCLA (13-7)
- 5. Wisconsin (13-7)
- 6. Purdue (13-7)
- 7. Illinois (12-8)
- 8. Oregon (12-8)
- 9. Indiana (10-10)
- 10. Ohio State (9-11)
- 11. Rutgers (8-12)
- 12. Minnesota (7-13)
- 13. Northwestern (7-13)
- 14. USC (7-13)
- 15. Iowa (7-13)
- 16. Nebraska (7-13)
- 17. Penn State (6-14)
- 18. Washington (4-16)
The tournament games will be broadcast across multiple networks, with the Big Ten Network airing the second round and quarterfinals, while CBS will carry the semifinals and championship game.
Fans can also stream the games through services like CBS All Access and the Fox Sports Go app. This season’s tournament promises to deliver thrilling performances as teams fight for supremacy heading into March Madness.
