Caitlin Clark waves to the crowd during senior day festivities after the match-up against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 3. Photo: Matthew Holst/Getty Images
March is here. The madness is next. The Big Ten women's basketball tournament is underway in Minneapolis, writes Axios' Ross Terrell.
Why it matters: March is the time for Cinderella stories and great upsets, but all eyes will be on superstar Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Here are some storylines that will define the Big Ten Tournament:
It's Clark's world and we're just living in it
The Iowa phenom has rewritten history this season, becoming the NCAA's all-time leading scorer in basketball. She has won just about every award possible, including the Big Ten Tournament the last two years. The only thing missing is an NCAA championship.
Don't sleep on Ohio State
The Buckeyes are the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten after going 16-2 in conference play during the regular season. They won 15 of their last 16 games, including a win over Iowa before losing to the Hawkeyes in the last game of the season.
Best chance for a surprising run
The Big Ten is a top-heavy conference with Ohio State, Iowa and Indiana all ranked in the top 15 nationally. Michigan State also received votes for the top 25.
Yes, but: It's March and anything can happen. Nebraska is the No. 5 seed but enters the tournament winning six of their last 10 games, including an upset over Iowa.
The intrigue: The tournament won't just set an attendance record this week at Target Center — it will double the old mark, according to organizers.
How to watch: Games will be streamed on Peacock and the Big Ten Network. Clark and the Hawkeyes play tonight at 5:30pm.
