Six Big Ten teams, five Sweet 16 games and one intrepid writer's picks

The Big Ten has six teams in the Sweet 16 of the men’s NCAA Tournament. That’s a lot, even for an 18-team conference.

Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska are still alive in the South Region, along with Purdue in the West, Michigan in the Midwest and Michigan State in the East. An all-Big Ten Final Four, anyone? It’s possible, but a huge stretch for a league without a national title since 2000.

How many will get through to the Elite Eight? My picks:

South: No. 3 seed Illinois vs. No. 2 seed Houston

TV: 9:05 p.m. Thursday, TBS, truTV.

Line: Houston by 2½.

Storyline: The Illini are elite offensively, but the Cougars are every bit as strong defensively. The Illini are bigger, the Cougars more agile. Freshman point guards Keaton Wagler (Illinois) and Kingston Flemings (Houston) are the names at the top of the marquee.

Pick: Houston, 80-75.

South: No. 9 Iowa vs. No. 4 Nebraska

TV: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, CBS 2.

Line: Nebraska by 1½.

Storyline: The Hawkeyes haven’t been to the Elite Eight since 1987. These Huskers have notched Nebraska’s only two tournament wins ever. Hey, it’s Fred Hoiberg!

Pick: Iowa, 68-66.

West: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas

TV: 6:10 p.m. Thursday, CBS 2.

Line: Purdue by 7½.

Storyline: The Longhorns are rolling, having begun their journey in the First Four, but nobody’s hotter than the Boilermakers.

Pick: Purdue, 91-81.

Midwest: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama

TV info: 6:35 p.m. Friday, TBS, truTV.

Line: Michigan by 9½.

Storyline: The Wolverines are in the danger zone against the Crimson Tide, who lead the nation in scoring (91.6 ppg) and dazzled in a second-round blowout of Texas Tech.

Pick: Michigan, 90-84.

West: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 UConn

TV info: 8:45 p.m. Friday, CBS 2.

Line: UConn by 1½.

Storyline: The intensity on the floor will be through the roof, and that’s just coaches Dan Hurley and Tom Izzo. Those two might have to settle it with a snarl-off.

Pick: Michigan State, 70-69.