If you're going to take anything from Michigan State's loss at Wisconsin today, know that MSU is the third best team in the Big Ten behind the Badgers and Ohio State. Their 8-8 conference record may not show it, but the Spartans are one of the few conference teams capable of going to the Sweet 16 because of Drew Neitzel and a stingy defense.

I think you can lock the Spartans in to an eight, nine or 10 seed if they win their first game of the Big Ten tournament Thursday in Chicago. Depending on the Michigan-Ohio State outcome, MSU will play either Penn State, Northwestern or Minnesota in the first round as either the seven or eight seed. That should be a victory, and if they slot into the 7-10 game they'll draw Wisconsin again at 5:40 p.m. Friday.

I'll go out on a limb and pick the Spartans to win the rubber match, not because they're a better team but rather they'll have played a game in the United Center and familiarity always seems to help in Friday games. If that happens, there's a good chance MSU can get a top-line seed. A six is probably too much to ask unless they reach the finals in Chicago, and 7-10 doesn't matter a whole lot. You're still matched with a one or two seed in the second round.

Michigan's got a huge game coming up here in a matter of minutes. I'm gonna hop on a treadmill and watch it before I head out to the Pistons-Grizzlies game tonight. Michigan has tons to play for - two more wins and I think the Wolverines are tourney-bound - and Ohio State not nearly as much (they'll win or lose a one seed in the conference tourney), but I'm still picking the Buckeyes, who are flat out a better team.

When the Big Ten tournament pairings are set later tonight, I'll revisit with some first-glance predictions for next weekend.