How strong is the Big Ten this season? Well, consider that Penn State is currently ranked 10th nationally, has spent most of the season in the top 5, and was undefeated till the last game of the regular season . . . Yet the Nittany Lions finished fourth in the final Big Ten standings. This conference tournament will be one for the ages.

The higher seed receives home-field advantage.

Home Safe: Penn State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State

These four teams are safe and will make the NCAA Tournament regardless of how the conference tournament shakes up. Michigan State and Nebraska did well to share the regular season crown, while Penn State’s one-loss record and Wisconsin’s impressive results against ranked opponents will be enough.

Work to Do: Indiana, Rutgers, Ohio State

Here are three teams who could cement an at-large bid if they make a run in the conference tournament. Indiana has the most straightforward path, as a win against No. 10 Penn State in the first round is quite the resume booster. Rutgers and Ohio State will also know an early-round win will help a ton, and a trip to the final would secure an at-large bid.

Win and In: Iowa

Iowa is a team that likely needs a conference tournament championship to make the NCAA tournament. There is another path if they defeat Michigan State and match up with Penn State in the second round, with a win there doing wonders. A run like that could maybe be enough, but it is more likely a conference championship is the only way in.

Hoping and Wishing: Michigan

If the season ended today, Michigan would receive an at-large bid. The problem is it does not, and Michigan has no control over its destiny after failing to qualify for the conference tournament. All they can hope for is that results in the other conference tournaments go their way.

Quarterfinals Preview:

No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 8 Iowa

The two sides met to close out the regular season, with Michigan State securing a share of the Big Ten title in a 3-0 victory. But the performance was not as dominant as the score line suggests, as Iowa outshot the Spartans 9 to 5. But Michigan State will be at home just as they were for that match.

No. 4 Penn State vs. No. 5 Indiana

Penn State must recover from the disappointment of losing for the first time to close out the regular season. Indiana won’t care and will want revenge for losing 2-0 to Penn State on October 19.

No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 6 Rutgers

Wisconsin comes in with the Big Ten’s best defense, which is not ideal for a Rutgers team that scored 12 in ten conference games. What does help is that the two did not meet in the regular season, so Rutgers may offer a twist that the Badgers have yet to see.

No. 2 Nebraska vs. No. 7 Ohio State

Eleanor Dale has been on fire this season with a nation-leading 23 goals. But of the four games where the British striker has failed to score, one was against Ohio State, even though Nebraska still ran out 2-1 winners. Ohio State will feel confident in a recipe to slow the Cornhusker attack, while Dale will look to make amends for that goalless game.

Final Notes

• Michigan State and Nebraska shared the regular season Big Ten Title.
• Michigan State has won two straight regular season titles but is still chasing its first-ever Big Ten Tournament championship.
• Rutgers is another team chasing its first Big Ten tournament title.
• Nebraska chasing second tournament championship and first since 2013.
• Penn State returns as last season's champion.
• No. 10 Penn State, No. 15 Nebraska, No. 16 Michigan State, No. 17 Wisconsin & No. 21 Indiana are the five nationally ranked Big Ten teams.
• Nebraska comes in with the best offense, with 23 scored in 10 conference games.
• Wisconsin has the best defense, with six allowed in 10 conference games.
• Last season's Conference Tournament Defensive MVP, Katherine Asman of Penn State, returns.
• Dale of Nebraska leads the conference and nation with 11 and 23 goals, respectively.
• Florence Belzile of Nebraska leads with nine in-conference assists.
• Jamie Gerstenberg of Indiana leads with five in-conference shutouts and ten total.
• Nine TDS TOP 100 Players in Attendance: No. 3 Dale (Nebraska), No. 27 Justina Gaynor (Michigan State), No. 32 Coriana Dyke (Penn State), No. 36 Paige Webber (Indiana), No. 70 Mieke Schiemann (Penn State), No. 73 Emma Jaskaniec (Wisconsin), No. 78 Asman (Penn State), No. 79 Sarah Weber (Nebraska), No. 92 Kailyn Dudukovich (Ohio State).
• Nine TDS Top 100 Freshmen in Attendance: No. 19 Amanda Schlueter (Ohio State), No. 21 Piper Coffield (Indiana), No. 49 Ava Bramblett (Ohio State), No. 51 Millie Greer (Iowa), No. 54 Isabella Najera (Michigan State), No. 58 Kennedy Neighbors (Indiana), No. 63 Gabrielle Britt (Indiana), No. 72 Sofia Bush (Iowa), No. 87 Kaelyn Wolfe (Penn State).
• The semifinals are November 2, and the final is on November 5.