The 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off March 12 in downtown Indianapolis, marking the second consecutive week the city hosts a marquee Big Ten basketball event.
Following the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, which concluded last week with a ULCA victory over USC, Indianapolis now turns its attention to the men’s competition, setting the stage for March Madness.
The tournament, scheduled for March 12 to March -16 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, features 14 teams contending for the conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Indianapolis, a city synonymous with basketball, is no stranger to hosting high-stakes tournaments. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers, provides a state-of-the-art venue.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse was also home to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and will be the venue for the 2025 WNBA All-Star festivities.
With the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, the Big Ten Tournament is a critical proving ground for teams looking to bolster their resumes and build momentum.
More: UCLA takes down USC in Big Ten Tournament
This year’s field is headlined by the Michigan State Spartans, who enter as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season with a 26-5 overall record and 13-1 conference record. The Spartans, riding a seven-game winning streak, are the favorites to claim the championship.
Close behind is the No. 2 seed Maryland Terrapins, imposing a strong 24-7 overall and 18-2 in the Big Ten Conference.
Other notable seeds include the Michigan Wolverines (No. 3 seed, 22-9 overall, 18-2 Big Ten) and the Wisconsin Badgers (No. 4 seed, 23-8 overall, 12-4 Big Ten).
Additionally, the tournament features several teams on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament, including the Ohio State Buckeyes (17-14 overall, 9-11 Big Ten) and the Indiana Hoosiers (19-12 overall, 10-10 Big Ten.)
The tournament’s timing is particularly significant, as it is a precursor to the NCAA Tournament, which begins just days after the Big Ten championship game.
For teams like Michigan State and Maryland, a strong showing in Indianapolis could translate into a higher seed and a more favorable path in the big dance.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more sports, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
