The Big Ten Tournament third round is here, and it brings four compelling matchups to the United Center in Chicago on Thursday, March 12. All games air on the Big Ten Network, and every winner advances to Friday’s quarterfinals where the top four seeds Michigan, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Illinois are waiting.
Here is a look at the complete third-round schedule, recent scores, and picks for each game.
Second Round Scores to Know
Before breaking down Thursday’s matchups, here is a quick recap of how we got here.
No. 9 Iowa 75, No. 17 Maryland 64 No. 12 Washington 83, No. 13 USC 79 (OT) No. 15 Northwestern 74, No. 10 Indiana 61 No. 14 Rutgers 72, No. 11 Minnesota 67The surprise of the round was Northwestern knocking off Indiana for the seventh straight time. The Wildcats have shown real toughness after a 1-8 start in Big Ten play, and after beating Penn State and Indiana, they now look to make it three wins in a row. Washington and Rutgers also pulled off wins as double-digit seeds, setting up a third round full of intrigue.
Feb 14, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Gicarri Harris (24) and guard Braden Smith (3) and center Oscar Cluff (right center) react as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) looks on during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesBig Ten Tournament Third Round Schedule and Picks
Game 7: No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 8 Ohio State Noon ET, Big Ten Network
Iowa enters this one on a roll. Bennett Stirtz and Ben McCollum are now 14-3 in win-or-go-home games over their four-year tenure together. That kind of experience matters in a neutral-site tournament setting.
Ohio State closed the regular season strong, winning four of its last six games including home wins over Wisconsin and Purdue. The Buckeyes need a strong showing in Chicago to firm up their NCAA Tournament standing.
This matchup is tight from a seeding standpoint, and either team could win. The edge goes to Iowa based on momentum and their coaching staff’s track record in elimination games.
Pick: Iowa
Game 8: No. 12 Washington vs. No. 5 Wisconsin Approximately 2:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Washington is playing its best basketball of the season. The Huskies outlasted USC in overtime on Wednesday and are riding a wave of confidence. That said, Wisconsin is a different challenge.
The Badgers have been a top-five offensive team in the country since mid-January, shooting the ball exceptionally well from three, and they bring a backcourt in John Blackwell and Nick Boyd that can match up with anyone in the conference.
Washington will need another gritty performance to pull off back-to-back upsets, but Wisconsin’s offense is too potent to slow down consistently. The Badgers advance.
Pick: Wisconsin
Feb 10, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) shoots a three-point shot past Illinois Fighting Illini forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn ImagesGame 9: No. 15 Northwestern vs. No. 7 Purdue 6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
This is the Cinderella storyline of the tournament. Northwestern has now beaten Penn State and Indiana on consecutive days and is firmly in the spotlight. Nick Martinelli has been the catalyst, dropping 28 points on Indiana in the second round.
The problem for the Wildcats is that they will be playing their third game in three days while Purdue is rested. Purdue’s depth is expected to be a major factor in this matchup, and despite narrowly winning at Evanston during the regular season, the Boilermakers enter as a clear favorite.
Purdue also has NCAA Tournament seeding on the line and will not take this game lightly. Northwestern has been a great story, but the fatigue factor is real.
Pick: Purdue
Game 10: No. 14 Rutgers vs. No. 6 UCLA Approximately 9 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Rutgers has won two straight upset games and is playing with house money at this point. Tariq Francis has been outstanding, scoring 29 points in the win over Minnesota.
UCLA comes in with a more complete roster and a dependable style under Mick Cronin. Lead guard Donovan Dent has been playing his best basketball down the stretch, and the Bruins have surrounded him with knockdown shooters. UCLA’s ability to slow the game down and grind out wins is a real advantage in a tournament setting.
Rutgers will keep it close, but the Bruins should have enough to advance.
Pick: UCLA
Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) runs back on defense after scoring a three-point basket during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn ImagesWhat the Third Round Means for the Big Picture
Every team still playing in Chicago has something on the line beyond just the next game. Michigan enters the tournament as not only the heavy betting favorite to win the conference title but also a strong contender for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The third-round winners will eventually have to deal with the top four seeds, which is a steep climb for any of these squads.
Still, someone from this group will pull off a surprise. That is what March is about.
FAQs: Big Ten Tournament Third Round
Where are the third-round games being played? All games are at the United Center in Chicago.
What channel is the Big Ten Tournament third round on? All four third-round games air on the Big Ten Network.
What time do the games start? The first game tips at noon ET. The evening session begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the fourth game starting approximately 25 minutes after Game 9 concludes.
Who are the top betting favorites to win the Big Ten Tournament? Michigan is the overwhelming favorite, with Wisconsin and UCLA among the longer shots that oddsmakers view as capable of making a deep run.
What happens if you win the Big Ten Tournament? The champion earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament field of 68 teams.
Responsible Gambling and Bankroll Management
Betting on conference tournament games can be exciting, but keeping a disciplined approach will serve you far better in the long run.
Start by setting a budget before you place a single bet. Decide how much you are comfortable losing, and do not go beyond that number regardless of how confident you feel about a pick. It helps to treat each wager as a set percentage of your bankroll rather than chasing a specific dollar amount.
Conference tournament basketball is particularly unpredictable. Fatigue, injuries, and motivational differences between teams can flip outcomes in ways that statistics do not always predict. That is why even well-researched picks lose, and why no single game should carry too much weight in your overall betting strategy.
Bet within your means and never chase losses Avoid parlaying multiple long-shot teams just to inflate a potential payout Take breaks when you feel frustrated or impulsiveIf gambling ever feels like it is getting out of control, resources are available to help. The National Council on Problem Gambling hotline is reachable at 1-800-522-4700, and the National Problem Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-522-4700.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Responsible Gaming Resources
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