ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten announced the bracket on Sunday for the 2015 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, which features a five-day format for the first time in conference history. Maryland secured its first outright Big Ten Championship and the No. 1 seed in the tournament in its inaugural season. The tournament is set for March 4-8at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
The Terrapins received the tournament’s top seed after recording an 18-0 Big Ten record, joining Ohio State and Purdue as the third team to have an undefeated conference record in Big Ten women’s basketball history. Maryland has won 21 consecutive games, closing out the regular season with a 27-2 overall record. The Terrapins will play their opening tournament game on Friday, March 6, at 11:30 a.m. CT, the first game of the day.
Iowa enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed after compiling a 14-4 conference record and a 23-6 overall mark this season. The Hawkeyes open tournament play on Friday at 6 p.m.
Ohio State secured the No. 3 seed, going 13-5 in Big Ten play and 21-9 overall. The Buckeyes’ first tournament game will be the last game on Friday night at approximately8:30 p.m.
Northwestern and Rutgers finished tied for fourth place with matching 12-6 conference records. The Wildcats won the tiebreaker based on their win over the Scarlet Knights in the regular season. At 22-7 overall, Northwestern earned the No. 4 seed and will play in Friday’s second game at approximately 2 p.m.
The fifth-seeded Scarlet Knights went 21-8 overall and will play in Thursday’s second game at approximately 2 p.m.
Minnesota enters the tournament as the No. 6 seed after finishing 11-7 in the conference and 22-8 overall. The Golden Gophers will play in Thursday’s final game at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Nebraska receives the No. 7 seed after closing out the regular season with a 10-8 record in conference play and a 20-9 overall record. The Huskers will take on No. 10 seed Illinois in Thursday’s third tilt at 6 p.m.
As the No. 8 seed, Michigan squares off against ninth-seeded Michigan State in Thursday’s first contest at 11:30 a.m. The Wolverines finished the regular season at 8-10 in Big Ten games, while Michigan State recorded a 7-11 mark in conference play.
The tournament will open on Wednesday with a 5 p.m. matchup between No. 13 Penn State and No. 12 Indiana, followed by No. 14 Purdue taking on No. 11 Wisconsin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
BTN will carry 10 games of the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while Wednesday’s opening games will appear on BTN Plus. The championship game will be televised by ESPN.
Entering the 2015 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, seven teams have been crowned champion. Nebraska is the most recent team to earn a title, claiming the program’s first-ever title in 2014. Purdue leads the way with nine tournament titles, while Ohio State owns four tournament championships. Iowa and Penn State have each had two, while Indiana and Michigan State each have one title in program history.
Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament tickets can be purchased through the Sears Centre Arena ticket offices at 1-888-SEARS-TIX (732-7784) or www.searscentre.com. Information on tournament tickets, lodging and history can be found at bigten.org.
The bracket, including teams, dates, times and television information, is attached.