Big 10 Tournament Picks and Best Bets: Wisconsin vs UCLA; Purdue vs Michigan Odds

You will forgive us if we call ourselves Glen Rice. The former Michigan star holds the NCAA tournament record for most points in March Madness, on the strength of phenomenal shooting in 1989.

That type of success is what we're feeling after going 7-for-7 on our picks in the Big 10 Men's Basketball Tournament the last two days. Today we make four more picks for college hoops fans as just eight teams remain with a chance to claim the conference tournament crown.

(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Today in Indianapolis the action begins at Noon EDT as the best overall team in the conference, the No. 1 seed (and top-10 ranked nationally) Michigan State Spartans take on the Oregon Ducks.

For Oregon, this is their first tournament tussle in their new conference. A football powerhouse, the Ducks are now being challenged to defeat an historic Big 10 basketball juggernaut, led by coach Tom Izzo.

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All of our picks today are being made with odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.

Oregon vs Michigan State (-6.5, -105)

If there's one thing Tom Izzo understands, it's how to get his team to peak at the correct time. MSU has won seven games in a row to end the conference regular season, winning by an average of 10 points per game. The Spartans have wins over five nationally ranked teams during that stretch.

Michigan State is one of the most dangerous teams in all the land. Take them lightly, and you will pay the price.

Welcome to the Big 10 tournament, Oregon. Your prize for a second round win is a shellacking at the hands of one of the greatest coaches in basketball history.

We suspect freshman forward Jase Richardson to light up his star in this tournament and the one that starts next week. The Spartans are just getting started on what should be a thrilling post-season run.

• PICK: Michigan State -6.5

Wisconsin vs UCLA (+100 Moneyline)

An exciting feature of tournament hoops is when we get a battle of competing styles. For this second game on Friday afternoon, we will see a high-scoring Wisconsin team face the pressure defense of UCLA.

The Bruins rank among the leaders in the nation in lowest points allowed, and opponent's field goal percentage.

UCLA is in its first-ever Big 10 tournament game, and it happens to be in the quarterfinals

The Bruins are a storied college program, but they will need to muster scoring power to hang with the Badgers, led by a fantastic back court.

But UCLA may not be as thrilled about its first Big 10 tournament as one might think

"I'm not a big believer in conference tournaments," UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said last week. "It wears you out. Because the next tournament is what matters."

Like it or not, UCLA, you'll have at least one more tournament game before the one that "matters" next week. Take UCLA to win this game in Indianapolis.

• PICK: UCLA to win outright, +100. A winning $100 wager will get you $200, including your stake.

Illinois vs Maryland (Total Points: 151-160, +230)

The Fighting Illini were the talk of the second round as they took down Iowa, 106-94. Illinois is seeking a second consecutive Big 10 tournament title.

To get it, they'll need to to topple Maryland (24-7, 14-6 in Big 10, No, 11 in the country).

Will Riley scored 10 for the Illini in its win, and Kylan Boswell set a career high with 24. But that sort of output is unlikely from Boswell on Friday against the mighty Terps.

Avoid the spread and the moneyline on this one

We believe the Terps will win, but it's going to be either a nailbiter or a blowout.

Instead go with the totals

The Terrapins rank 24th in the nation in scoring, and Illinois is 10th. That means we expect loads of points on Friday. Take an alternate total points market like the one we found below.

A winning $100 bet will win you $230 if the teams combine for between 151-160 in regulation.

• PICK: Total points in regulation between 151 and 160, +230 on alternate totals market from BetMGM

Purdue vs Michigan (+2.5, -105)

A three-game losing streak has the Ann Arbor campus in an uproar as the Wolverines tip off for their first game in the tournament.

Head coach Dusty May hopes it's not the only game for Michigan (22-9, No. 22 in the nation) in the conference tourney. Big Blue has its sights set on a possible rematch against rival Michigan State in the final on Sunday.

Michigan is meeting Purdue for the third time

The first meeting was an embarrassing double-digit loss on the road. The next game saw the Wolverines scratch out a victory in Ann Arbor over the then 7th ranked Boilermakers.

The big question mark in this late day matchup will be long range shooting for U of M.

The team has struggled to scoot jumpers all season

Their young guards are not yet tested, with May admitting he should have played freshman L.J. Cason more earlier in the season to gain confidence.

Braden Smith will cause matchup problems for the Wolverines, but we expect this game to go down to the wire. We think Purdue may ultimately pull off the win, but we love getting 2.5 points for Michigan.

• PICK: Michigan +2.5

Looking forward in the Big 10

The semifinals will take place Saturday, with two games. The Big 10 tournament finals will be played at 3:30 PM EDT on Sunday, March 16 on CBS.

All quarterfinal games on Friday can be seen on the Big 10 Network.

If looking for March Madness tournament schedules, matchup breakdowns, and expert picks, head to our March Madness section.