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Team-by-team look at Big Ten women’s tournament

No. 6 Illinois:Record: 16-12 overall, 9-7 Big Ten (tied for 4th); Coach: Matt Bollant, first year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 11 Wisconsin, approximately 25 minutes after the 11:30 a.m. game. Team history: Illinois was 11-19 last year and lost 68-53 to Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The Illini have never won a tournament title but won the Big Ten regular-season title once in program history (1997).Known for: Pressing and creating turnovers. The Illini force a league-high 24 turnovers a game and lead the league in steals (13 spg).No. 12 Indiana:Record: 11-18 overall, 2-14 Big Ten (12th); Coach: Curt Miller, first year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 5 Michigan, approximately 25 minutes after the 6 p.m. game. Team history: Indiana was 6-24 last year and lost 97-68 to Michigan State in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The Hoosiers won their only tournament title in program history in 2002. They also have one Big Ten regular- season title (1983).Known for: Shooting 3-pointers.No. 7 Iowa:Record: 19-11 overall, 8-8 Big Ten (7th); Coach: Lisa Bluder, 13th year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 10 Northwestern, 11:30 a.m. Team history: Iowa was 19-12 last year and lost 80-68 to Nebraska in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The Hawkeyes have won two tournament titles, the most recent dating to 2001. The Hawkeyes also have won nine Big Ten regular-season titles. They last sat atop the league in 2008.Known for: 3-point shooting and an emphasis on passing that leads to plenty of assisted baskets. The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in assists (16 apg).No. 5 Michigan:Record: 20-9 overall, 9-7 Big Ten (tied for 5th); Coach: Kim Barnes Arico, first year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 12 Indiana, approximately 25 minutes after the 6 p.m. game.Team history: Michigan was 20-12 last year and lost 57-48 to Ohio State in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. The Wolverines have never won a tournament title or a Big Ten regular-season championship.Known for: 3-point shooting. Even the Michigan bigs have the green light from long range. Michigan is tied for 3-pointers made per game with Nebraska (6.3 per game).No. 4 Michigan State:Record: 22-7 overall, 10-6 Big Ten (tied for 3rd); Coach: Suzy Merchant, sixth year.Tournament opener: Friday vs. the winner of No. 5 Michigan/No. 12 Indiana, 11:30 a.m. Team history: Michigan State was 20-12 last year and lost 73-64 to Purdue in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. The Spartans won their only tournament title in 2005. They also have won three Big Ten regular-season championships, most recently in 2011.Known for: Tough defense in the half-court, forcing bad shots and controlling the boards. The Spartans allow a league-low 51.6 points per game.No. 8 Minnesota:Record: 18-12 overall, 7-9 Big Ten (tied for 8th); Coach: Pam Borton, 11th year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 9 Ohio State, 6 p.m.Team history: Minnesota was 19-17 last year and lost 78-74 to Penn State in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. The Golden Gophers have never won a tournament title or a Big Ten regular-season championship.Known for: Up-tempo pace and high-scoring offense.No. 2 Nebraska:Record: 22-7 overall, 12-4 Big Ten (second); Coach: Connie Yori, 11th year.Tournament opener: Friday vs. the winner of No. 7 Iowa/No. 10 Northwestern, 11:30 a.m.Team history: Nebraska was 24-9 last year and lost 74-70 to Purdue in double overtime in the championship game of the Big Ten tournament. The Cornhuskers are in just their second year of Big Ten play. They have not yet won a tournament title or a Big Ten regular-season championship.Known for: Offensive rebounding, 3-point shooting and low turnovers. The Cornhuskers are tied with Michigan for 3-pointers made per game (6.3 per game) and have the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the league.No. 10 Northwestern:Record: 13-16 overall, 5-11 Big Ten (10th); Coach: Joe McKeown, fifth year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 7 Iowa, 11:30 a.m. Team history: Northwestern was 14-16 last year and lost 88-56 to Nebraska in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The Wildcats have never won a tournament title and won their only Big Ten regular-season championship in 1990. Known for: Defense. The Wildcats lead the Big Ten in field-goal percentage defense (35.3 percent). They also block 5.6 shots per game, which is tied with Iowa for first in the Big Ten.No. 9 Ohio State:Record: 17-12 overall, 7-9 Big Ten (tied for 8th); Coach: Jim Foster, 11th year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 8 Minnesota, 6 p.m.Team history: Ohio State was 25-7 last year and lost 77-62 to Nebraska in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. The Buckeyes have won four tournament titles, including three of the last four (2009, 2010, 2011). They also have won 13 Big Ten regular- season championships, the most recent coming in 2011.Known for: Taking good shots and forcing bad shots. The Buckeyes rank second in the Big Ten in both field-goal percentage (44.3 percent) and 3-point field-goal percentage defense (28.1 percent).No. 1 Penn State:Record: 24-4 overall, 14-2 Big Ten (1st); Coach: Coquese Washington, sixth year.Tournament opener: Friday vs. the winner of No. 8 Minnesota/No. 9 Ohio State, 6 p.m.Team history: Penn State was 26-7 last year and lost 68-66 to Purdue in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. The Lady Lions have won two tournament titles but not since 1996. They also have won seven Big Ten regular-season championships, including the last two.Known for: Piling up the points and knocking down 3s. The Lady Lions lead the Big Ten in scoring (74.4 ppg) and boast the best shooting percentage from beyond the arc (39 percent).No. 3 Purdue:Record: 21-8 overall, 10-6 Big Ten (tied for 3rd); Coach: Sharon Versyp, seventh year.Tournament opener: Friday vs. the winner of No. 6 Illinois/No. 11 Wisconsin.Team history: Purdue was 25-9 last year and defeated Nebraska 74-70 in double overtime in the championship game of the Big Ten tournament. The Boilermakers have won eight tournament titles as well as seven Big Ten regular-season championships. The last time they sat atop the league was 2002, a few years after they won the Big Ten#146;s only NCAA national championship (1999).Known for: Hitting free throws. The Boilermakers lead the Big Ten with a 76 percent clip from the line.No. 11 Wisconsin:Record: 11-18 overall, 3-13 Big Ten (11th); Coach: Bobbie Kelsey, second year.Tournament opener: Thursday vs. No. 6 Illinois, approximately 25 minutes after the 11:30 a.m. game.Team history: Wisconsin was 9-20 last year and lost to Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. The Badgers have never won a tournament title or a Big Ten regular-season championship.Known for: Playing tough defense and protecting the lane with the ability to block shots.Big 10 fan guideThe Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament running today through Sunday at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates has several events to heighten the fan experience:<b>Bonfire</b>When: 7-8:30 p.m. Friday (weather permitting)What: Outside the arena, enjoy a massive bonfire, music and a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider.<b>Skills & Thrills Fan Camp</b>When: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, SundayWhat: In a climate-controlled tent outside the arena, kids of all ages and skill levels can over 15 interactive exhibits including lay-up, free throw and spot shooting stations with full-size and mini-hoops, a basketball-themed obstacle course and skills challenge. Admission is free with a ticket to any game.<b>Autograph Session</b>When: Saturday, 6–7pmWhat: Former Big Ten student-athletes will be signing, including OSU’s Jim Jackson, MSU’s Mateen Cleaves, UW’s Ron Dayne and Illini Kenny Battle. Free with a Saturday game ticket.<b>Tip Off Party</b>When: 7:30-10 p.m. SaturdayWhat: Pinstripes, a massive dining and entertainment venue adjacent to Sears Centre Arena, will welcome fans across the Big 10 with the band 7th Heaven performing throughout the evening. The restaurant/bar also has bocce and bowling areas, a outdoor heated patio and fire pit.<b>Pep Rally</b>When: 1-2 p.m. SundayWhat: Band and cheerleader performances from each of the two teams playing in the championship game.

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