The Big Ten Conference will be a multiple-bid league this season but how many is another question.
I broke down teams by RPI, location and the occasional storyline that the NCAA likes to have to create a Big Ten-only bracketology.
In
Northwestern
RPI: 13
Northwestern will most likely be a national seed and host a regional but the Wildcats will end up on the road for Super Regionals.
I envision the Wildcats being somewhere in the No. 12-to-No. 16 range and could end up with a No. 2 seed from the Southeastern Conference.
Potential Regional: Northwestern, Kentucky, Boston, Dayton
Michigan
RPI: 26
Michigan will not host but based on the RPI, name, history and tradition, the Wolverines will make the tournament.
Michigan will most likely be a two-seed and head out west.
Potential Regional: UCLA, Michigan, Fullerton, Grand Canyon
Indiana
RPI: 29
Indiana is the biggest surprise for the Big Ten this season and has done everything needed to secure a spot in the postseason.
The Hoosiers will also be a two-seed.
Potential Regional: Tennessee, Indiana, Liberty, UCONN
Minnesota
RPI: 30
This is a prime example of when the NCAA will try to create a storyline. Minnesota is a lock for regionals and I would have some popcorn ready for this one.
Potential Regional: Stanford, Minnesota, Boise State, Sacramento State
Wisconsin
RPI: 36
The Badgers are the fifth team from the conference that is a lock for Regionals as of right now.
Wisconsin will also be a two-seed and will to the west coast.
Potential Regional: Washington, Wisconsin, BYU, Utah Tech
Bubble
As of this week, there are three teams in the conference that need kick it into a higher gear to make sure that they make the NCAA Tournament. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if these three are all in the last four in or first four out group.
Ohio State
RPI: 33
Ohio State has made noise in the postseason consistently as of late but the Buckeyes are on a downward trend right now which makes their path a little tougher.
If they were to make to the tournament, they would end up as a three-seed.
Potential Regional: Georgia, Charlotte, Ohio State, Delaware
Nebraska
RPI: 40
The Huskers are in charge of their own destiny at this point. The record is good, the strength of schedule is good but they have had some bad losses.
If Nebraska can win at least seven of the remaining 13 games, I think they will squeak into regionals as a three seed.
Potential Regional: Oklahoma State, Wichita State, Nebraska, Southern Illinois
Maryland
RPI: 45
Before conference play started, Maryland was a lock. Now, the Terrapins are on the bubble.
If Maryland can turn it around in a hurry, the Terps will find themselves as a last team in and, most likely, a three-seed.
Potential Regional: Arkansas, Central Arkansas, Maryland, SEMO
The is absolutely no chance the rest of the conference will make the tournament unless one of them goes on a run in the Big Ten Tournament to clinch the automatic bid for winning it.
The top four teams earn a first-round bye and as of right now, Rutgers and Iowa are tied with Nebraska for fourth. Rutgers has the head-to-head edge for the four seed but there is plenty of regular season left to played.
Out
Iowa
RPI: 62
Penn State
RPI: 63
Rutgers
RPI: 69
Illinois
RPI: 71
Purdue
RPI: 100
Michigan State
RPI: 132
Maren covers softball for Hail Varsity and co-hosts the Behind the Plate with Maren and Nate podcast.
