Michigan Wolverines basketball (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) takes on Rutgers (20-12, 10-10 Big Ten) on Thursday in the Big Ten Tournament second round. We have everything you must know about U-M's path to a third title in the last four years in this preview, with facts, stats and notes on each possible opponent.

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MICHIGAN

Record: 19-12, 10-10 Big Ten

NET Rank: 25

Projected NCAA Seed: 6

Top Performers: Senior guard Zavier Simpson (12.9 PPG, 7.9 APG, 4.5 RPG); junior forward Isaiah Livers (12.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 40.2% on 3-PT); freshman guard Franz Wagner (11.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG); senior center Jon Teske (11.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG); junior guard Eli Brooks (10.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)

Notes

• Michigan has lost three out of its last four games, with the lone win coming over Nebraska.

• The Wolverines were 2-6 in Big Ten play, before rattling off seven wins in their next eight games.

• Michigan has made the Big Ten Tournament Championship game in three consecutive seasons, including titles in 2017 and 2018.

• Senior point guard Zavier Simpson is first in the Big Ten and second in the country in assists per game. He has the most assists in the nation.

RUTGERS

Record: 20-11, 11-9 Big Ten

NET Rank: 32

Projected NCAA Seed: 9

Against Michigan: U-M won 69-63 on Feb. 1 at Madison Square Garden; U-M won 60-52 at Rutgers on Feb. 19.

Top Performers: Sophomore guard / forward Ron Harper Jr. (12.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG); junior guard Geo Baker (10.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 RPG); sophomore center Myles Johnson (7.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 60.2% on FGs); redshirt senior forward Akwasi Yeboah (9.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG)

Notes

• Rutgers ranks sixth nationally in defensive efficiency, and is holding opponents to just 38.3 percent from the field, which is eighth in the country.

• Sophomore forward Myles Johnson’s field goal percentage of 60.2% is the top in the Big Ten, and his 3.3 offensive rebounds per game mark ranks fourth in the conference.

• This year is the first time Rutgers has earned a first round bye in a conference tournament in 25 years, and this is Rutgers’ first winning season in 14 years.

• The Scarlet Knights enter the postseason on a two-game winning streak, after wins against Maryland and at Purdue last week.

• In the first meeting between Michigan and Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights grabbed 26 offensive rebounds. In the second meeting, they collected 14.

• Michigan is 13-0 all-time against Rutgers. The Wolverines handed Rutgers its only loss at home this season, in one of two wins over the Scarlet Knights.

WISCONSIN

Record: 21-10, 14-6 Big Ten

AP Poll: 18

NET Rank: 24

Projected NCAA Seed: 4

Against Michigan: Wisconsin won at U-M, 81-74, on Feb. 27

Top Performers: Junior forward Nate Reuvers (13.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 34.7% on 3-PT); redshirt junior forward Micah Potter (10.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 45.1% on 3-PT); redshirt junior guard D’Mitrik Trice (9.8 PPG, 4.2 APG, 4.0 RPG, 37.6% on 3-PT)

Notes

• Wisconsin shared the Big Ten regular season title with Maryland and Michigan State, and earned the No. 1 seed after winning the tiebreakers.

• The Badgers went 9-1 in the back half of the conference schedule to secure the title. Wisconsin has won eight-straight games, including wins over Ohio State, Nebraska, Purdue, Rutgers, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern and Indiana.

• Head coach Greg Gard earned Big Ten Coach of the Year this season, as voted on by the coaches and media.

• In the only meeting between Michigan and Wisconsin, the Badgers shot 11-for-23 (.478) from three-point range.

• Wisconsin leads the Big Ten, and ranks fourth nationally, in fewest turnovers per game, averaging 10.0 per outing.

• The Badgers lead the conference and are 13th in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 62.2 points per game.

• Redshirt junior D’Mitrik Trice went for a career-high 28 points and hit 5 of his 6 shots from deep in that game.

ILLINOIS

Record: 21-10, 13-7

AP Poll: 21

NET Rank: 39

Projected NCAA Seed: 7

Against Michigan: Illinois won at home, 71-62, on Dec. 11; Illinois won 64-62 at U-M on Jan. 25

Top Performers: Sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu (16.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3. APG, 48.4% on FGs); freshman forward Kofi Cockburn (13.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG); senior guard Andres Feliz (11.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.9 APG)

Notes

• Freshman forward Kofi Cockburn won Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

• Senior guard Andres Feliz has scored in double-figures 10 out of his last 12 games.

• In the second meeting between Michigan and Illinois, at Crisler Center, sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu hit the game-winning jump shot that beat the buzzer. He finished with 27 points and seven rebounds in that game.

• Illinois is coming off a win on senior night over Iowa on Sunday. Before that, it lost at Ohio State. The Illini have won five out of their last six games.

• The Illini will play the winner of game four between Iowa and the winner of No. 12 seed Minnesota vs. No. 13 seed Northwestern.

***

IOWA

Record: 20-11, 11-9 Big Ten

AP Poll: 25

NET Rank: 34

Projected NCAA Seed: 6

Against Michigan: U-M won 103-91 at home on Dec. 6; Iowa won, 90-83, in Iowa City on Jan. 17.

Top Performers: Luka Garza (23.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG); sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (14.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG); redshirt freshman guard C.J. Fredrick (10.2 PPG, 2.8 APG)

Notes

• Junior forward Luka Garza earned Big Ten Player of the Year, as voted on by the coaches and media. Garza scored a career-high 44 points against U-M in December, which is the most points by any opposing player in Crisler Center history. He leads the Big Ten in scoring.

• Iowa plays in the second round Thursday, against the winner of game 1 between No. 12 seed Minnesota and No. 13 seed Northwestern.

***

MINNESOTA

Record: 14-16, 8-12 Big Ten

NET Rank: 44

Against Michigan: Minnesota defeated U-M in Minneapolis, 75-67, on Jan. 12

Top Performers: Sophomore center Daniel Oturu (20.0 PPG, 11.4 RPG); redshirt sophomore guard Marcus Carr (15.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.3 RPG); sophomore guard Gabe Kalscheur (11.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG)

Notes

• Sophomore center Daniel Oturu ranks first in the Big Ten and eighth in the country in rebounds per game.

• Redshirt sophomore guard Marcus Carr ranks second in the Big Ten and eighth in the country in assists per game. Michigan’s Zavier Simpson is the only Big Ten player who averages more assists.

• Minnesota’s regular season finale victory over Nebraska snapped a three-game losing streak.

• The Gophers play No. 13 seed Nebraska in the first round Wednesday night, with the winner playing Iowa on Thursday.

***

NORTHWESTERN

Record: 8-22, 3-17 Big Ten

NET Rank: 159

Against Michigan: U-M won at NW, 79-54 on Feb. 12

Top Performers: Sophomore forward Miller Kopp (13.2 PPg, 3.5 RPG, 40.6% on 3-PT); redshirt senior guard Pat Spencer (10.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, 4.0 RPG); freshman guard Boo Buie (10.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.1 RPG); redshirt freshman center Ryan Young (9.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG)

Notes

• The Wildcats won two of their last three games of the regular season, including a win at Nebraska and a home win over Penn State to end the season.

• Northwestern plays No. 12 seed Minnesota in the first round Wednesday night, with the winner playing Iowa on Thursday.

MICHIGAN STATE

Record: 22-9, 14-6 Big Ten

AP Poll: 9

NET Rank: 7

NCAA Projected Seed: 3

Against Michigan: MSU beat U-M, 87-69 in East Lansing on Jan. 5; U-M won 77-68 in Ann Arbor on Feb. 8

Top Performers: Senior guard Cassius Winston (18.6 PPG, 5.9 APG, 2.5 RPG, 43.2% on 3-PT); junior forward Xavier Tillman (13.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.0 APG); sophomore forward Aaron Henry (10.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.9 APG); freshman guard Rocket Watts (9.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG)

Notes

• Michigan State won its last five games of the regular season, earning a share of the Big Ten title with Maryland and Wisconsin.

• Senior guard Cassius Winston is third in the Big Ten in points per game, second in the conference in three-point field goal percentage and seventh in steals per game.

• Michigan held Michigan State to 33.3 percent from the field and 26.1 percent from three in the second meeting, a win at Crisler Center. Winston shot just 5-for-18 for the day.

• The Spartans will play the winner of Thursday’s second round matchup between No. 7 seed Ohio State and No. 10 seed Purdue.

***

MARYLAND

Record: 24-7, 14-6 Big Ten

AP Poll: 12

NET Rank: 18

Projected NCAA Seed: 4

Against Michigan: Maryland won, 83-70, on March 8 in College Park

Top Performers: Senior guard Anthony Cowan (16.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.6 RPG); sophomore forward Jalen Smith (15.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG); sophomore guard Aaron Wiggins (10.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG); sophomore guard Eric Ayala (8.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.5 APG)

Notes

• Sophomore center Jalen Smith is second in the Big Ten and 17th in the country in rebounds per game. He is second in the conference in blocks per game, averaging 2.4.

• Maryland won a share of the Big Ten regular season title, splitting it with Michigan State and Wisconsin.

• Maryland will play the winner of game six, between Penn State and the winner of game two (Indiana vs. Nebraska).

***

PENN STATE

Record: 21-10, 11-9 Big Ten

NET Rank: 35

Projected NCAA Seed: 6

Against Michigan: PSU won 72-63 in Ann Arbor on Jan. 22

Top Performers: Senior forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.2 APG); sophomore guard Myreon Jones (13.3 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.7 RPG, 40.3% on 3-PT); redshirt senior forward Mike Watkins (9.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG)

Notes

• Penn State closed out the regular season with three-straight losses: at Iowa, vs. Michigan State and at Northwestern.

• Senior forward Lamar Stevens is fourth in the Big Ten in points per game. Redshirt senior forward Mike Watkins ranks third in the conference in blocks per game, at 2.2 and fifth in the conference in field goal percentage, shooting 54.5 percent for the season.

• Penn State will play Thursday against the winner of game one between Indiana and Nebraska.

***

OHIO STATE

Record: 21-10, 11-9 Big Ten

AP Poll: 19

NET Rank: 16

Projected NCAA Seed: 5

Against Michigan: OSU won in Ann Arbor, 61-58 on Feb. 4, and again in Columbus, 77-63, on March 1

Top Performers: Junior forward Kaleb Wesson (14.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 42.5% on 3-PT); sophomore guard Duane Washington Jr. (11.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG); senior forward Andre Wesson (9.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 42.2% on 3-PT); redshirt junior guard C.J. Walker (8.7 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.1 RPG)

Notes

• Ohio State won nine of its last 12 games of the regular season, after a 2-6 start to conference play.

• The Buckeyes have three of the top nine players in the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage: Kaleb Wesson (3rd), Andre Wesson (4th) and Duane Washington Jr. (9th).

• Ohio State will play No. 10 seed Purdue in the second round. The Buckeyes beat Purdue in the only regular season meeting between the two teams.

***

PURDUE

Record: 16-15, 9-11 Big Ten

NET Rank: 33

Against Michigan: U-M won in double-overtime, 84-78, on Jan. 9 in Ann Arbor; U-M won, 71-63, in West Lafayette on Feb. 22

Top Performers: Sophomore forward Trevion Williams (11.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG); sophomore guard Eric Hunter Jr. (10.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG); sophomore guard Sasha Stefanovic (9.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 38.3% on 3-PT)

Notes

• Purdue ended the regular season with a loss at home to Rutgers, 71-68, in overtime.

• The Boilermakers are in ESPN bracket analyst Joe Lunardi’s “next four out” in his NCAA Tournament projection.

• Purdue ranks 11th nationally in defensive efficiency.

• Purdue will take on No. 7 seed Ohio State in the second round on Thursday.

***

INDIANA

Record: 19-12, 9-11 Big Ten

NET Rank: 59

Projected NCAA Seed: 11 (last four in)

Against Michigan: U-M won, 89-65, in Ann Arbor on Feb. 16

Top Performers: Freshman forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (13.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG); senior guard Devonte Green (10.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.1 APG); junior forward Justin Smith (10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG); junior guard Ali Durham (9.7 PPG, 2.5 APG, 2.1 RPG)

Notes

• Indiana finished its regular season losing three out of four games, including a loss to end the season to Wisconsin.

• The Hoosiers lead the league in defensive rebounding percentage, hauling in 75.3% of misses.

• Freshman forward Trayce Jackson-Davis is second in the conference in field goal percentage, shooting 56.8 percent from the field.

• Indiana plays No. 14 seed Nebraska Wednesday night.

***

NEBRASKA

Record: 7-24, 2-18 Big Ten

NET Rank: 197

Against Michigan: U-M won in Lincoln, 79-68, on Jan. 28 and again in Ann Arbor, 82-58, on March 5

Top Performers: Senior guard Haanif Cheatham (13.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG); sophomore guard Thorir Thorbjarnarson (8.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG)

Notes

• Nebraska is currently on a 16-game losing streak. Its last win came over Iowa on Jan. 7.

• The Huskers’ second and third leading scorers, junior guard Dachon Burke Jr. and sophomore guard Cam Mack have been suspended for the remainder of Nebraska’s season.

• Nebraska added two football players to its roster ahead of the Big Ten Tournament — quarterback Noah Vedral and offensive tackle Brant Banks.

• Nebraska plays at the 21st-fastest pace in the country.

• The Huskers take on No. 11 seed Indiana Wednesday night.

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