Wisconsin to Face Northwestern in Big Ten Tournament

The Wisconsin Badgers are set to face a weakened Northwestern team in the Big Ten Tournament's second round, following a win by Northwestern over Minnesota. Northwestern, dealing with the loss of key players Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach, has been heavily reliant on junior forward Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten's leading scorer. Meanwhile, Minnesota's season ended with a loss to Northwestern, despite strong performances from players like Dawson Garcia and Brennan Rigsby. The Gophers' coach Ben Johnson expressed uncertainty about the team's future as several players weigh their options. The Big Ten Tournament, starting today, has Northwestern as the No. 13 seed and Minnesota as the No. 12 seed, with the winner advancing to play Wisconsin. This year's tournament is significant for teams hoping to strengthen their NCAA tournament resumes, including Wisconsin who looks to capitalize on Northwestern's injuries.