The championship matchup is set for the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. No. 2 seed Illinois will take on No. 5 seed Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday. Here's a preview of the matchup between the Fighting Illini and Badgers.
After four incredibly fun days of action in Minneapolis, we've finally reached Championship Sunday — or perhaps better known as Selection Sunday. Regardless of what you call it, we'll see No. 5 Wisconsin battle No. 2 Illinois with the 2024 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament title hanging in the balance.
Both the Badgers and Illini have played especially well to reach this point of the tournament. Here's a preview of Sunday's finale from Minneapolis.
No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 2 Illinois
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS
- Game: No. 13
Wisconsin's path to the championship
Finished the Big Ten regular season No. 5 in the standings and earned a single-bye. Did not play on Wednesday.
- Thursday: Defeated No. 12 Maryland 87-56
- Friday: Defeated No. 4 Northwestern 70-61
- Saturday: Defeated No. 1 Purdue 76-75 (OT)
Wisconsin players to watch
- Tyler Wahl, senior: Wahl is a really talented forward with excellent post moves and good mobility. He's averaging a 11.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He's also done a good job defensive in the post. He has quick, active hands and is capable of creating turnovers, even when defending bigger opponents down low. Wahl also has solid vision for a big man, averaging 1.8 assists per game.
- AJ Storr, sophomore: The Badgers have struggled as of late, but Storr provided a completely new element to Wisconsin's offense after transferring in from St. John's. The sophomore guard can attack the rim and has no problem driving the basketball in traffic. He hasn't had the best season from behind the 3-point line (31.4%), but he is capable of knocking that shot down. Storr has scored in double figures in all but two contests this year.
- Max Klesmit, junior: Opponents will want to keep an eye on Klesmit, as he has a knack for hitting the 3-point shot. He's hitting at a 37.5% mark on the season, not bad for someone who has attempted 136 on the season. He's knocked down five shots from behind the arc in three different games.
Illinois' path to the championship
Finished the Big Ten regular season No. 2 in the standings and earned a double-bye. Did not play on Wednesday or Thursday.
- Friday: Defeated No. 10 Ohio State 77-74
- Saturday: Defeated No. 3 Nebraska 98-87
Illinois players to watch
- Terrence Shannon Jr., senior: Shannon is one of the most explosive players in the Big Ten and is at his best when he gets into transition. The senior guard was a first-team All-Big Ten selection after averaging 21.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He does an excellent job at getting to the basket and can be a problem in up-tempo games. He finished the regular season scoring 20 points or more in seven of the final nine games, including a 35-point outing vs. Penn State.
- Coleman Hawkins, senior: At 6-foot-10, Hawkins as a well-rounded game for a player of his size. He averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game during the 2023-24 campaign. He can defend multiple positions on the floor and can step back and knock down the 3-point shot, hitting at a 39.2% rate. Hawkins does have bouts of inconsistency, but when he's also a tough matchup.
- Marcus Domask, senior: A transfer from Southern Illinois, Domask has been one of the top pick-ups from the transfer portal in the Big Ten this season. The senior forward has been a major scoring threat for the Fighting Illini, averaging 16 points per game and hitting a 30-point total in three different games this season. Domask has also posted 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per games on the year.
Preview
- Illinois record: 25-8 (14-6 in Big Ten play)
- Wisconsin record: 22-12 (11-9 in Big Ten play)
- Regular season meeting: Illinois def. Wisconsin 91-83 on March 2.