Big Ten tournament 2026: Bracket, scores, predictions, and more for men’s basketball

The Big Ten is the best conference in men’s college basketball this season. Why? Start at the top with the Michigan Wolverines, who feel like the No. 1 national championship favorite entering the postseason. There’s a strong contenders pushing for an upset after that. The Nebraska Cornhuskers are one of the biggest surprises of the season, and they’re looking for validation ahead of March Madness with a good showing in the conference tournament. Illinois has legitimate Final Four dreams with size everywhere and one of the country’s best freshmen in Keaton Wagler. Michigan State, Purdue, and even Wisconsin have shown they can play with anyone at their best this season.

The 2026 Big Ten tournament for men’s basketball is coming to Chicago, IL at the United Center. The winner will be crowned minutes before the bracket is announced on Selection Sunday, but the league already knows it will have a lot of teams in the field. As many as 10 teams in the Big Ten have a chance to go dancing. Getting a few more wins in the conference tournament would sure be a nice boost for the bubble teams like Indiana and Ohio State.

Here’s the full 2026 men’s basketball Big Ten tournament bracket, with the schedule and results below.

Big Ten tournament bracket for 2026 men’s basketball

Big Ten tournament 2026 predictions in men’s basketball

Give me Michigan over Michigan State in the championship game.

Big Ten tournament 2026: Scores, schedule, and results

Tuesday, March 10 (First Round)
Game 1 (#17 Maryland vs. #16 Oregon) – 5 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Game 2 (#18 Penn State vs. #15 Northwestern) – 25 minutes following Game 1 (Peacock) 

Wednesday, March 11 (Second Round)
Game 3 (#9 Iowa vs. Game 3 winner) – 12 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Game 4 (#12 Washington vs. #13 USC) – 25 minutes following Game 3 (Peacock)
Game 5 (#10 Indiana vs Game 2 winner) – 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
Game 6 (#11 Minnesota vs. #14 Rutgers) – 25 minutes following Game 5 (BTN)

Thursday, March 12 (Third Round)
Game 7 (#8 Ohio State vs. Game 3 winner) – 12 p.m. ET (BTN)
Game 8 (#5 Wisconsin vs. #Game 4 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 7 (BTN)
Game 9 (#7 Purdue vs. Game 5 winner)– 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
Game 10 (#6 UCLA vs. Game 6 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 9 (BTN)

Friday, March 13 (Quarterfinals)
Game 11 (#1 Michigan vs. Game 7 winner) – 12 p.m. ET (BTN)
Game 12 (#4 Illinois vs. Game 8 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 11 (BTN)
Game 13 (#2 Nebraska vs. Game 9 winner) – 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
Game 14 (#3 Michigan State vs. Game 10 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 13 (BTN)

Saturday, March 14 (Semifinals)
Game 15 (Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner) – 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Game 16 (Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 15 (CBS)

Sunday, March 15 (Championship)
Game 14 (Game 15 winner vs. Game 16 winner) – 3:30 p.m. #T (CBS)