The 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament continues with first-round action on Wednesday, March 11, as several teams compete to move forward in the conference championship bracket. The tournament is a key part of the college basketball postseason and plays a major role in shaping momentum ahead of March Madness.
Wednesday’s schedule features multiple matchups, including Washington vs USC, Indiana vs Northwestern, and Minnesota vs Rutgers. Fans can watch the games live on Peacock and the Big Ten Network, with streaming options available for viewers who prefer to watch online.
The Michigan Wolverines, who finished the regular season with a dominant 19-1 conference record, enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed and will join the action in later rounds.
Big Ten Tournament Games Today (March 11, 2026)
Four games are scheduled for the first round of the Big Ten tournament on Wednesday. Two games will stream on Peacock, while the evening games will air on the Big Ten Network.
Big Ten Tournament Schedule – Wednesday
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes vs Maryland Terrapins | 12:00 PM | Peacock | Peacock |
| Washington Huskies vs USC Trojans | 2:30 PM | Peacock | Peacock |
| Indiana Hoosiers vs Northwestern Wildcats | 6:30 PM | Big Ten Network | BTN streaming |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights | 9:00 PM | Big Ten Network | BTN streaming |
These games determine which teams move into the second round on Thursday.
Key Result From Wednesday’s Action
One result has already been recorded from Wednesday’s first-round games.
Big Ten Tournament Result
| Game | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes vs Maryland Terrapins | Iowa 75 – Maryland 64 |
The victory allows Iowa to advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Big Ten Tournament Second Round (March 12)
The winners from Wednesday will face higher-seeded teams in the second round on Thursday. All games will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Second Round Schedule
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State vs Iowa/Maryland winner | 12:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Wisconsin vs Washington/USC winner | 2:30 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Purdue vs Indiana/Northwestern winner | 6:30 PM | Big Ten Network |
| UCLA vs Minnesota/Rutgers winner | 9:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
Quarterfinals Schedule (March 13)
The tournament will move into the quarterfinal stage on Friday, when the top four seeds enter the bracket.
Quarterfinal Matchups
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan vs Ohio State/Iowa/Maryland winner | 12:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Illinois vs Wisconsin/Washington/USC winner | 2:30 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Nebraska vs Purdue/Indiana/Northwestern winner | 6:30 PM | Big Ten Network |
| Michigan State vs UCLA/Minnesota/Rutgers winner | 9:00 PM | Big Ten Network |
Semifinals and Championship Schedule
The tournament will conclude over the weekend with the semifinals and the championship game.
Big Ten Tournament Final Stages
| Round | Date | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | March 14 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Semifinal 2 | March 14 | 3:30 PM | CBS |
| Championship Game | March 15 | 3:30 PM | CBS |
The winner of the championship game will be crowned Big Ten Tournament Champion and gain momentum heading into the NCAA tournament.
Big Ten Tournament Teams and Standings
The tournament includes all conference teams based on their regular-season performance. Michigan enters as the top seed after a dominant season.
Top Teams in Big Ten Standings
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Wolverines | 29-2 | 19-1 |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | 26-5 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State Spartans | 25-6 | 15-5 |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | 24-7 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin Badgers | 22-9 | 14-6 |
These teams will join the bracket later in the tournament as higher seeds.
Big Ten Tournament Builds Toward March Madness
The Big Ten tournament is one of the most competitive conference championships in college basketball. Teams fighting through the bracket are aiming not only for the conference title but also to strengthen their position heading into the national tournament.
With several games scheduled throughout the week and the championship set for March 15, fans can expect intense matchups as teams battle for the Big Ten crown.
