Purdue won the Big Ten Tournament by defeating Ohio State in the championship . As a result of its win , Purdue received the conference 's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament . In total , seven teams received bids to the NCAA Tournament : Michigan State , Purdue , Illinois , Ohio State , Michigan , Minnesota , and Wisconsin . By placing 7 of its 11 teams in the tournament , it had 64 % of its teams in the tournament , which outpaced all other conferences . Both Michigan State and Purdue advanced to the second weekend 's Sweet Sixteen round , where Purdue lost to Connecticut . Michigan State advanced to the championship game where it lost to North Carolina 89 &ndash; 72
Big Ten Tournament
2009 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
2008–09 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season