Big Ten Roundup (March 5): Indiana Needs Win, Help For Double-Bye

The Big Ten standings are in a state of chaos, with seven teams tied for second place entering the last day of the regular season. Here's what Indiana needs in order to finish in the top four and secure a double-bye in next week's Big Ten Tournament at the United Center in Chicago.

The final Big Ten standings come down to the last day of the regular season for 11 of the conference's 14 teams.

Purdue locked up its league-leading 25th regular season title with a 14-5 conference record entering Sunday. The next seven teams stand at 11-8, followed by Rutgers at 10-9, Penn State at 9-10 and Wisconsin and Nebraska both at 8-11. Along with Purdue, Ohio State (5-15) and Minnesota (2-16) are only other teams locked into place at No. 13 and No. 14, respectively.

The Big Ten has 12 teams in action on Sunday, and each game impacts how Big Ten Tournament seeding shakes out. 

Here's the schedule and standings entering Sunday

(odds via SI Sportsbook)

• No. 21 Maryland at Penn State (-3.5), Noon ET on Big Ten Network
• Illinois at No. 5 Purdue (-8), 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX
• Nebraska at Iowa (-11.5), 2 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
• Michigan at No. 15 Indiana (-4), 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS
• Wisconsin (-5) at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1
• Northwestern at Rutgers (-5), 7:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network

Big Ten Standings entering Sunday

Indiana can finish anywhere between second and ninth when it's all said and done, but finishing in the top four isn't as complicated as it might seem. 

To secure a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, Indiana must beat Michigan, and at least one team must lose between Iowa, Maryland and Northwestern. 

The Hoosiers are 4-point favorites against Michigan, and the over/under is 144 points for Sunday's 4:30 p.m. ET tipoff, according to the SI Sportsbook. Iowa is an 11.5-point favorite, Maryland is a 3.5-point underdog at Penn State and Northwestern is a 5-point underdog at Rutgers.

Indiana's highest-possible finish is second place. For that to happen, Indiana has to beat Michigan, then Iowa, Maryland and Northwestern all have to lose.

If Indiana loses to Michigan, the Hoosiers will finish somewhere between sixth and ninth. Indiana can finish as low as ninth if it loses to Michigan, then Rutgers and Illinois both win.

The Big Ten Tournament begins on Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.

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