" title="Spartans Weblog">Spartans Weblog

A statistical look at Michigan State basketball, with a dash of football talk

The Second Annual and World’s Only (As Far As We Know) Big Ten Tournament Bracket Contest

Posted by kj on Monday, March 9th, 2009

The BTT bracket is now set.  Why wait to make predictions about a bunch of teams you know almost nothing about (Robert Morris? Stephen F. Austin?  Binghamton?) when you can make predictions right now about the 11 teams you’ve been watching nonstop for the past 10 weeks?

Same rules as last year:

To submit an entry in the contest, post a comment to this blog post.  Include your pick for the winner of each of the 10 games of the tournament.  Scoring will be as follows:

  • Round 1 winners (3): 1 point each
  • Semi-finalists (4): 2 points each
  • Finalists (2): 4 points each
  • Champion (1): 8 points
  • Total points available: 27

In keeping with the tempo-free statistics bent of this blog, the tie-breaker will be the number of possessions in the final game of the tournament.  The official data source for that number will be StatSheet.  For the less statistically-inclined, go ahead and pick a random number between 55 and 75.

Here’s an example of a contest entry, based on the assumption of the higher seed winning each game:

  • Game 1: Minnesota
  • Game 2: Michigan
  • Game 3: Penn State
  • Game 4: MSU
  • Game 5: Wisconsin
  • Game 6: Illinois
  • Game 7: Purdue
  • Game 8: MSU
  • Game 9: Illinois
  • Game 10: MSU
  • Tie-breaker: XX possessions

(Feel free to drop the “Game” on each line to save time, but please include the numbers.)

Legal boilerplate:

  • All entries must be received by noon on Thursday (before the tip-off of Game 1) to be valid.
  • In the case of a tie between one or more contestants in both contest points and the number of possessions in the final, the winner will be determined by coin-flip or other random mechanism determined by the Spartans Weblog.
  • The prize for the contest winner consists of one The Greatest Stories of Michigan State Basketball DVD.
  • The Spartans Weblog is the final authority regarding interpretation of the contest rules and determination of the winner.

This year’s Big Ten Tournament looks to be the most competitive to date, with 8-9 teams in the running for an NCAA tournament bid.  That should make the bracket prognosticating all that much more challenging.

« « Purdue Game Recap (3/8/09) | Final Conference-Only Points Over Replacement Per Adjusted Game (PORPAG) » »

Tags:

Filed in contest40 responses so far

40 Responses to “The Second Annual and World’s Only (As Far As We Know) Big Ten Tournament Bracket Contest”

  1. matton 09 Mar 2009 at 7:29 am 1

    Hooray for March! I wonder who will pick someone besides MSU to win it.

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Iowa
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Penn State
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Penn State
    Game 10: MSU
    Tie-breaker: 69 possessions

  2. Zekeon 09 Mar 2009 at 8:11 am 2

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU
    Tie-breaker: 65 possessions

  3. TMadison25on 09 Mar 2009 at 8:17 am 3

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Michigan
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Michigan
    Game 10: MSU
    Tie-breaker: 60 possessions

  4. Chrison 09 Mar 2009 at 8:43 am 4

    Game 1: NW
    Game 2: UM
    Game 3: Indiana
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisky
    Game 6: UM
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: Wisky (I hope I’m wrong!)
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: Purdue
    Tie-breaker: 62 possesions

  5. msufan23on 09 Mar 2009 at 8:47 am 5

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Illinois
    Game 10: MSU
    Tie-breaker: 62 possessions

    I know there are 8-9 teams that all have a good shot but with the way the bracket broke just dont see a lot in the way of upsets

  6. nick!on 09 Mar 2009 at 8:50 am 6

    1 Minny
    2 UM
    3 PSU
    4 MSU
    5 OSU
    6 Illinois
    7 PSU
    8 MSU
    9 Illinois
    10 MSU
    edit: tiebreaker 66 possessions

  7. spartanproduceron 09 Mar 2009 at 9:53 am 7

    Game 1: NW
    Game 2: Iowa
    Game 3: Penn St.
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Penn State
    Game 8: Michigan State
    Game 9: Illinois
    Game 10: MSU

    total possessions: 63

  8. SpartanDanon 09 Mar 2009 at 9:54 am 8

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Michigan
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU
    Tiebreaker: 67

    With teams 6-7-8 possibly playing for their tournament lives, I don’t see any of the bottom 3 (not even Northwestern, who’s well ahead of the other two) pulling the upset. Michigan-Illinois is going to be a really hard game to predict, because both teams are very streaky.

  9. Ground Zero East Lansingon 09 Mar 2009 at 10:50 am 9

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Penn State
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Illinois
    Game 10: MSU
    Tiebreaker: 66

    I’m tempted to call more upsets, but then again, who knows what’ll happen. Perhaps the craziest thing that could happen in a muddled Big Ten this year is most of the top seeds winning out.

  10. Gordy Hultenon 09 Mar 2009 at 11:10 am 10

    1. Minnesota
    2. Iowa
    3. Penn State
    4. Michigan State
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Illinois
    7. Penn State
    8. Michigan State
    9. Illinois
    10. Michigan State

    Tiebreaker: 60

  11. Rewertson 09 Mar 2009 at 12:07 pm 11

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2:Iowa
    Game 3:Penn St
    Game 4:MSU
    Game 5:OSU
    Game 6:Illinois
    Game 7:Purdue
    Game 8:MSU
    Game 9: Illinois
    Game 10: MSU
    Tiebreaker: 64

  12. mjos22on 09 Mar 2009 at 12:51 pm 12

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU
    Tie-breaker: 62 possessions

  13. Seeron 09 Mar 2009 at 12:56 pm 13

    Since I already have the DVD, I’m just submitting for fun/bragging rights.

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: OSU
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Illinois
    Game 10: MSU

    Tie-breaker: 66 possessions.

  14. Samon 09 Mar 2009 at 1:21 pm 14

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Michigan
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU
    61 posessions

  15. witless chumon 09 Mar 2009 at 1:38 pm 15

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: PSU
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: PSU
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: PSU
    Game 10: MSU

    67 possessions

  16. DP99on 09 Mar 2009 at 1:54 pm 16

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Indiana
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Michigan
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU
    65 possessions

  17. dougiebon 09 Mar 2009 at 4:09 pm 17

    1. NW
    2. UM
    3. PSU
    4. MSU
    5. Wisky
    6. UM
    7. PSU
    8. MSU
    9. PSU
    10. MSU
    63 possesions

  18. BigCenteron 09 Mar 2009 at 4:12 pm 18

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Iowa
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Iowa
    Game 7: Penn State
    Game 8: Wisconsin
    Game 9: Iowa
    Game 10: Wisconsin

    Possessions: 62

    A #1 seed in the Big Dance would be nice, but give us a #2 in the Midwest with Pitt as the #1 and I’ll be just as happy.

  19. danon 09 Mar 2009 at 5:24 pm 19

    Game 1 – Northwestern
    Game 2 – Michigan
    Game 3 – Penn State
    Game 4 – Michigan State
    Game 5 – Wisconsin
    Game 6 – Illinois
    Game 7 – Penn State
    Game 8 – Michigan State
    Game 9 – Penn State
    Game 10 – Michigan State
    63 Possession game

    I think State wins it all and locks up a #1 seed. (fingers crossed)

  20. mkon 09 Mar 2009 at 8:00 pm 20

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: Michigan State
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Michigan
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: Michigan State
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: Michigan State

    Tiebreaker: 66

    #2 at midwest would be as nice as (or much nicer than) #1 far far away. However, the first thing is to win the BigTen Tournament, and somehow, somehow, to get to Detroit!!!!

  21. matton 09 Mar 2009 at 8:35 pm 21

    #1 Minnesota
    #2 Michigan
    #3 PSU
    #4 MSU
    #5 Wisconsin
    #6 Michigan
    #7 Purdue
    #8 MSU
    #9 Purdue
    #10 MSU

    # 65

    i see there is another matt now. i’ll go by matt t. if it helps.

  22. Adamon 09 Mar 2009 at 11:07 pm 22

    1. Minnesota
    2. Iowa
    3. Penn St.
    4. MSU
    5. Ohio St.
    6. Illinois
    7. Penn St.
    8. MSU
    9. Illinois
    10. MSU

    Tiebreaker: 63

  23. Ottoon 10 Mar 2009 at 5:35 am 23

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU

    Tiebreaker: 66

  24. Bobbieon 10 Mar 2009 at 6:07 am 24

    1. Minnesota
    2. Michigan
    3. Indiana
    4. MSU
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Illinois
    7. Purdue
    8. MSU
    9. Illinois
    10. MSU

    Tiebreaker: 67

  25. Barbaraon 10 Mar 2009 at 6:08 am 25

    1. Minnesota
    2. Michigan
    3. Indiana
    4. MSU
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Illinois
    7. Purdue
    8. MSU
    9. Illinois
    10. Illinois

    Tiebreaker: 61

  26. Jackson22on 10 Mar 2009 at 8:57 am 26

    1. Northwestern
    2. Iowa
    3. Penn State
    4. MSU
    5. Ohio State
    6. Illinois
    7. Purdue
    8. MSU
    9. Illinois
    10. MSU

  27. Zackon 10 Mar 2009 at 5:30 pm 27

    1. Minnesota
    2. Michigan
    3. Penn State
    4. MSU
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Michigan
    7. Purdue
    8. MSU
    9. Purdue
    10. Purdue

    Tie-breaker: 67

  28. Groveron 10 Mar 2009 at 5:31 pm 28

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Penn State
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Illinois
    Game 10: MSU
    Tie-breaker: 66 possessions

    Grover for gold! I’m taking home that DVD! Woo!

  29. Andrewon 10 Mar 2009 at 6:11 pm 29

    Game 1: Northwestern
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: Michigan State
    Game 5: Wisconsin
    Game 6: Michigan
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: Michigan State
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: Michigan State
    Tie-breaker: 65 possessions

  30. Mark in Chicagoon 10 Mar 2009 at 6:12 pm 30

    Game 1: Minnesota
    Game 2: Michigan
    Game 3: Penn State
    Game 4: MSU
    Game 5: Ohio State
    Game 6: Illinois
    Game 7: Purdue
    Game 8: MSU
    Game 9: Purdue
    Game 10: MSU

    Tie breaker: 63 possesions.

    How original, I know. Picking the highest seed in 8 out of 10 games. Whee.

  31. State of the Blog Address: A-Change-is-a-Comin’ Edition | Spartans Weblogon 10 Mar 2009 at 8:10 pm 31

    [...] There’s still time to enter the The Second Annual and World’s Only (As Far As We Know) Big Ten Tournament Bracket Contest.  I admire everyone’s fidelity to MSU, given the fact that picking the same team as 90% of [...]

  32. Northern Spartyon 10 Mar 2009 at 8:26 pm 32

    1: Minnesota
    2: Michigan (ugh)
    3: Indiana
    4: MSU
    5: Ohio St.
    6: Illinois
    7: Purdue
    8: MSU
    9: Illinois
    10: MSU

  33. Sparty in Badgerlandon 10 Mar 2009 at 9:29 pm 33

    1: Minnesota
    2: Michigan
    3: Penn State
    4: MSU
    5: Wisconsin
    6: Illinois
    7: Penn State
    8: MSU
    9: Illinois
    10: MSU

    Tie breaker: 62 possessions

  34. kjon 10 Mar 2009 at 9:36 pm 34

    My entry (I’ve decided to embrace the Northwestern nightmare I’ve been having in hopes of creating a reverse jinx effect):

    1. Northwestern
    2. Michigan
    3. Penn St.
    4. Northwestern
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Michigan
    7. Purdue
    8. Wisconsin
    9. Purdue
    10. Wisconsin

    62 possessions

  35. wife of a spartanon 10 Mar 2009 at 9:43 pm 35

    1. Northwestern
    2. Michigan
    3.Penn State
    4. MSU
    5. OSU
    6. IL
    7. Penn State
    8. MSU
    9. Penn State
    10. MSU

    58 possessions

  36. Tuxsteron 11 Mar 2009 at 9:54 am 36

    1. Northwestern
    2. Michigan
    3. Penn State
    4. Michigan State
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Illinois
    7. Purdue
    8. Michigan State
    9. Illinois
    10. Illinois

    61 possessions

  37. GBBoundon 11 Mar 2009 at 10:59 am 37

    1 – Minnesota
    2- Michigan
    3 – Penn State
    4 – MSU
    5 – Wisconsin
    6 – Illinois
    7 – Purdue
    8 – MSU (revenge for last year)
    9 – Purdue
    10 – MSU
    Tie-breaker: 65 possessions

  38. Jumpin' Johnny Gon 11 Mar 2009 at 12:25 pm 38

    1 – Northwestern
    2- Iowa
    3 – Penn State
    4 – MSU
    5 – Ohio State
    6 – Illinois
    7 – Penn State
    8 – MSU
    9 – Penn State
    10 – MSU
    Tie-breaker: 62 possessions

  39. Philon 11 Mar 2009 at 4:48 pm 39

    1.) Minnesota
    2.) Michigan
    3.) PSU
    4.) MSU
    5.) Wisconsin
    6.) Illinois
    7.) PSU
    8.) MSU
    9.) PSU
    10.) MSU

    Tiebraker: 61

  40. Jon Spartanon 12 Mar 2009 at 10:24 am 40

    1. Northwestern
    2. Michigan
    3. Indiana
    4. Michigan State
    5. Wisconsin
    6. Michigan
    7. Purdue
    8. Wisconsin
    9. Illinois
    10. Wisconsin

    Tiebreaker: 57