The Big Ten conference returns to center stage this December as it prepares for a highly competitive men’s basketball season. Known for producing numerous NCAA tournament bids, the conference aims to build on last March’s momentum, where four teams reached the second weekend and Michigan State advanced to the Elite Eight.
Despite a quarter-century drought since its last national championship, the Big Ten has consistently earned around eight tournament bids each year. Over the past few seasons, these teams have struggled to advance deep, posting a collective 46-40 record, which suggests underperformance relative to their strong seedings.
Final Four Contenders
Several teams stand out as championship hopefuls this season:
- Michigan Wolverines – Top-ranked in early December Bracketology.
- Purdue Boilermakers – No. 1 in multiple wire service polls.
- Michigan State Spartans – Recent deep tournament experience.
- Illinois Fighting Illini – Strong postseason pedigree.
These squads have legitimate shots at winning four games and making a serious run in March and April.
Likely Tournament Teams
Beyond the favorites, other squads are projected to earn bids:
- Indiana Hoosiers
- USC Trojans
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Wisconsin Badgers
- UCLA Bruins
Indiana faces pressure to surpass a recent decade of limited tournament success, while Nebraska targets its first-ever NCAA tournament victory.
Possible Tournament Teams and Sleeper
Teams on the bubble include Ohio State, Northwestern, Washington, Oregon, and Maryland. Ohio State, narrowly missing a higher tier, is expected to make the field. Iowa emerges as a sleeper team, adjusting to a slower tempo under coach Ben McCollum but showing balanced efficiency on both ends.
Long Shots and Key Matches
Long shots hoping for upsets include Penn State, Rutgers, and Minnesota. Rutgers faces recruiting challenges while others battle the depth of the conference. Key games to watch involve marquee matchups such as Illinois vs. Tennessee in Nashville and Michigan’s pivotal contests against Michigan State, Purdue, and Duke.
The Big Ten season promises intense competition and may finally break its recent pattern by making a strong impact deep into the NCAA tournament. Selection Sunday could see the league send double-digit teams dancing for the first time, a sign of renewed depth and quality.
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