BIG TEN TOURNAMENT CAPSULES

ILLINOIS

Strengths: Coach Bruce Weber's team still plays tough defense -- ranking among the best in the league in field goal and 3-point percentage defense.

Weaknesses: Free throw shooting. The team ranked last in the league -- making only 62.2 percent of the freebies. This statistic is glaring, because the Fighting Illini were 2-9 in games decided by 10 points or less, 2-6 in games decided by five or fewer points and 0-3 in overtime games.

John O'Malley's prediction: The Illini, the No. 10 seed, will knock off seventh-seeded Penn State, before being shown the door by Purdue in Friday's quarterfinals.

INDIANA

Strengths: The combination of Eric Gordon and D.J. White -- the league's top two scorers -- made the Hoosiers the top scoring team in the league. A knack for winning close games -- Indiana was 7-3 in games decided by five points or less -- could help this team win the Big Ten Tournament title.

Weaknesses: The Hoosiers have been sliding downward since coach Kelvin Sampson was shown the door and haven't recovered. Keeping the opposition from scoring isn't one of the team's strengths, either, as IU allowed 66.5 points per outing.

John O'Malley's prediction: Look for the Hoosiers to lose to Purdue in Saturday's semifinals.

IOWA

Strengths: Defense and defensive rebounding. Coach Todd Lickliter brought his hard-nosed defensive mentality with him from Butler to Iowa City. The Hawkeyes are allowing an average of 60.2 points per game.

Weaknesses: Putting the ball in the basket. The Hawkeyes rank last in the league in scoring (55.4) and are the third-worst free throw shooting team and rank seventh in 3-point shooting.

John O'Malley's prediction: Talk about an ugly game. The eighth-seeded Hawkeyes will earn the right to advance to the quarterfinals against top-seeded Wisconsin after they beat Michigan in the first round.

MICHIGAN

Strengths: Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims can score, averaging nearly 29 points per outing between them, but the Wolverines ranked only No. 8 in the league in scoring (61.7).

Weaknesses: Shooting and scoring consistently. The Wolves ranked ninth in the league in field goal percentage defense (.461) and 10th in 3-point percentage defense (.380). Additionally, this team has a tendency to go through critical periods of low productivity.

John O'Malley's prediction: While the ninth-seeded Wolverines have shown signs of improvement, they've just been too inconsistent to expect a lot from in the tournament. Look for a first-round loss to Iowa.

MICHIGAN STATE

Strengths: Scoring. Outside of Indiana and Purdue, the Spartans, led by Raymar Morgan and Drew Neitzel, are the third-highest scoring team in the league (66.7). Coach Tom Izzo's team ranks first in field goal percentage (.474) and are No. 4 in 3-point shooting (.367).

Weaknesses: Consistency. The Spartans looked like world-beaters in pummeling Indiana by 29 points 10 days ago, but were pathetic in road losses to Iowa and Penn State. Izzo's team also closed the season with a major meltdown -- failing to make a basket in the final 5:51 at Ohio State on Sunday.

John O'Malley's prediction: After imploding in the final minutes at OSU, look for the fourth-seeded Spartans to beat the fifth-seeded Buckeyes in Friday's quarterfinals, before losing to Wisconsin in the semis.

MINNESOTA

Strengths: Dan Coleman and Lawrence McKenzie, both of whom average 12 points per game, give the Gophers a solid scoring duo. First-year coach Tubby Smith, not known for his patience, is a good bench coach.

Weaknesses: The Gophers have a tendency to lose their composure at key times in games and have trouble sustaining momentum even during spells when they're playing well.

John O'Malley's prediction: The Gophers, seeded No. 6, should dispose of 11th-seeded Northwestern after clobbering them twice already this season.

NORTHWESTERN

Strengths: This team finds a way to hang around in some games for long stretches, but when it comes to finishing, it just can't seem to close the deal.

Weaknesses: The Wildcats, who have no big man, come up short in nearly every area in the league statistically. They rank 10th in the league in scoring, are ninth in field goal percentage and last in defense, shooting percentage defense and 3-point shooting percentage defense.

John O'Malley's prediction: Why should the league's postseason tourney be different than the regular season? The Wildcats should be cleaning out their lockers at Welsh-Ryan Arena come Friday.

OHIO STATE

Strengths: Coach Thad Matta insists his teams play good defense and the Buckeyes do -- allowing only 61 points per game -- while ranking first in the league in blocked shots, second in field goal percentage defense and No. 3 in 3-point percentage defense.

Weaknesses: Until they upset Purdue and Michigan State last week, the Buckeyes had lost nine straight games to teams in the RPI Top 40. Will the team continue to ascend or will it revert back to the growing pains it experienced most of the season when almost every step forward resulted in a couple backward?

John O'Malley's prediction: Ohio State needs its Friday quarterfinal game with Michigan State more than the Spartans do to ensure itself of an NCAA bid. Despite that, I look for MSU to deliver a payback for last Sunday's meltdown in Columbus.

PENN STATE

Strengths: The Nittany Lions are pretty good from long distance range -- dialing up an average of 7.17 baskets from behind the arc per game.

Weaknesses: With injuries to veteran players like Geary Claxton, the Nittany Lions have been forced to play their four freshmen a great deal this season. While the playing time has proven valuable, the results haven't been as good, particularly on the road.

John O'Malley's prediction: The seventh-seeded Nittany Lions are the second-worst team in the league shooting free throws -- behind the 10th-seeded Illinois. This could make for great drama in today's first-round game, but the Fighting Illini will find a way to win.

PURDUE

Strengths: Gene Keady's classic saying "Play Hard" epitomizes these Boilermakers, who are as scrappy as junk yard dogs. They'll fight you for every loose ball and rebound and contest shots like there's money in it for 'em if they make you miss.

Weaknesses: No real strong and consistent low post presence. Another problem is, sometimes the Boilers experience long scoring droughts and have to scramble to put themselves back in position to win.

John O'Malley's prediction: The Boilers are determined to make up for not winning the regular-season title by winning the postseason tournament for the first time ever. Look for them to be crowned champions on Sunday.

WISCONSIN

Strengths: Led by Michael Flowers, the Badgers play lock-down defense. They rank first in the league in points allowed (54.4), field goal (.390) and 3-point percentage defense (.311). Another plus is coach Bo Ryan, who's definitely among the nation's best on the bench.

Weaknesses: The Badgers rank only ninth in offensive rebounds and 3-point field goals made in the league.

John O'Malley's prediction: The Badgers won't repeat their regular season success in Indy. They'll lose to Purdue for the third time this year in Sunday's title game.