Four Contenders in Big Ten Race

So Purdue came into the Kohl Center last night and beat the Badgers on their home court, 74-69. We feel Purdue's win, and Indiana knocking off Ohio State today, puts the race for the Big Ten season title at four teams. Purdue is currently your Big Ten leader, but Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan State are all bunched up with just 1 1/2 games separating the four.

Here's a look at each team's schedule the rest of the way:

Purdue - Michigan State, @ Northwestern, @ Indiana, Minnesota, Northwestern, @ Ohio State, @ Michigan

Indiana - Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, @ Northwestern, Ohio State, @ Michigan State, Minnesota, @ Penn State

Wisconsin - @ Indiana, Minnesota, @ Illinois, @ Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State, @ Northwestern

Michigan State - @ Purdue, @ Indiana, Penn State, Iowa, @ Wisconsin, Indiana, @ Illinois, @ Ohio State

Obviously the key matchups are any time two of these teams play each other, but Michigan State might be in for the toughest task here. They face Indiana twice, and have to take on all three other teams on the road. Likewise, Indiana's next three games are all home games against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue, so we'll know a lot more after those three games. The Badgers schedule isn't too daunting, but they have to go to Indina, and then also Illinois, which is always a tough game for them.

Indiana is in a great position to win the Big Ten, but the homer in me thinks the Badgers can get it done. However, I'm picking Michigan State to grab the number one seed heading into the Big Ten Tournament.