That sentiment was echoed by many coaches who know one mistake by their team could mean and early exit from the tournament.
"I think it's a year that going into it you just really can't tell what's going to happen," Wisconsin coach Jane Albright said.
"It's been a real tough year with not a lot of room for error for anybody."
The venue is different. After years in Indianapolis the conference decided to move the tournament north, and many teams will get their first look at Van Andel Arena when they suit up for their first game.
Here's how the teams break down:
Favorites: No. 8 Purdue, No. 23 Iowa, No. 19 Penn State and No. 20 Wisconsin
The Big Ten regular season champion Boilermakers have to be one of the favorites.
With the Big Ten Player of the Year in senior Katie Douglas and only two conference losses, the Boilermakers have proven they can beat almost anyone that comes at them.
However, both the Hawkeyes and Lady Lions have defeated the Boilermakers during the season, and despite some minor setbacks have to also be considered as one of the teams expected to be in the hunt.
"I'm not sure Purdue would be the clear cut (favorite)," Guevara said.
"But I don't think it's as clear a picture as it was three weeks ago."
The Hawkeyes, under the direction of rookie coach and Big Ten Coach of the Year Lisa Bluder handled Purdue by nine in Iowa City.
However, this is the first major conference tournament for Bluder and her staff, and she's a little uncertain of what she's going to see.
"I don't really know what to expect since it is our (her coaching staff) first time in the tournament for the Big Ten," Bluder said. "I'm excited we don't have to play the first day. I'm glad that we have the first round bye and I'm glad we have to play somebody who played the day before.
"I think that's a great advantage for us in this first year."
The Lady Lions were poised to enter the tournament on a roll after upsetting the Boilermakers a week ago. However, the Lions dropped a heartbreaking one-point loss to Michigan in Happy Valley, the Lions stumbled into the No. 4 seed and drew none other than the Wolverines, the only team to beat the Lions twice, in the quarterfinals.
The Badgers have also put together a solid season, finishing tied with Iowa for second place in the conference. They've been able to overpower teams with their size, and could use that to their advantage with everyone having to play at least three days straight to win the championship.
"I just think the parity is so even with all the teams that this is going to be dynamic," Bluder said. "Nobody can predict what's going to happen in this tournament. I think that's what makes it exciting going in to it because every single team honestly believes they can come out with the trophy. And that's what makes the tournament really fun."
Teams to watch: Michigan, Indiana and Illinois
The No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 seeds have something more to play for than just the tournament title.
All three teams have some impressive wins and are looking to earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament. In order to do that, they need to have strong showings in this tournament.
The Wolverines are coming off a big win at Penn State and are the only of the three teams to have a first round bye.
They are led in both scoring and rebounding by sophomore LeeAnn Bies, the Big Ten Player of the Week. They have two wins against a ranked Penn State team and an early-season upset of then-No. 8 Louisiana Tech as well as a victory against the Hawkeyes to put on their résumé.
The Wolverines also have the tournament in their home state for the first time, something Guevara hopes to use to their advantage.
"We've played in their gym," Guevara said of Van Andel Arena. "It's just one game, but I think we're familiar with it. We had quite a few fans that were there and I think we'll get more fans in Grand Rapids than in Indianapolis. I guess you could construe that as an advantage.
"But this is tournament time, the teams that come in and are focused, they're not even thinking about the crowd as much as they're thinking about what they have to do, their game plan, and how to defeat their opponent."
Despite the fact her team has to win four games in four days to take the championship, Illinois coach Theresa Grentz feels it's anybody's tournament.
"I'm looking forward to the tournament," Grentz said. "I think anybody can win this thing. It's just a matter of who wants it more."
Could raise some eyebrows: Ohio State and Michigan State
The Buckeyes and Spartans combined for just 10 conference wins all season, however they should not be taken lightly.
Both teams have been bitten badly by the injury bug. The Buckeyes were so strapped for players they recruited a volleyball player and a soccer player to keep their numbers up. And, when the Spartans came to State College, they came with just eight players in uniform.
"I think, from the standpoint of our team, we're playing better than we've played all year," Michigan State coach Joanne McCallie said.
"I think what we want it to fight like crazy, play the best basketball we possibly can and let the chips fall," he added
Unlike Guevara, McCallie doesn't think the Spartans will draw more fans than other teams.
Will be sightseeing during the weekend: Minnesota and Northwestern
With just one win between the two of them, the Golden Gophers and Wildcats aren't expected to do much this weekend.
The Wildcats went 0 for their conference season, and the Gophers would have done the same, except somebody had to win when the two winless squads faced each other.
Even being a tremendous underdog, Minnesota coach Cheryl Littlejohn is just looking for a single win to help her team build some momentum.
"I think more than anything, it (a win) gives a team on Thursday some momentum going into Friday's game," Littlejohn said.
"Right now, anything can happen with teams getting on a roll."
Coaches can not understate the importance of the tournament.
With the winner of the tournament guaranteed a spot in the Big Dance, no matter what its record, each team will come out fighting for its life.
And with the balance in the Big Ten, anything can happen.
"It's going to be very competitive," Littlejohn said. "I think, more than anything, you've seen a lot of parity in the teams this year.
"I think it's a week for probably some upsets."
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