Who has won the most Big Ten Basketball Championships?
The Big Ten Conference is one of the most successful and storied college basketball leagues in the United States. It is home to some of the most legendary players in the history of the sport, as well as some of the most successful programs. But who has won the most Big Ten basketball championships?
History of the Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference was established in 1896 as the Western Conference, and was composed of nine universities located in the Midwest. It was not until 1917 that the conference was given its current name, the Big Ten Conference.
Throughout its history, the Big Ten has been one of the most successful conferences in college basketball. It has won a combined 41 NCAA championships, with the University of Michigan leading the way with 11 titles.
Big Ten Basketball Champions
The Big Ten has seen some of the most successful programs in college basketball over the years. The following teams have won the most Big Ten championships:
- University of Michigan: 11 titles
- Indiana University: 9 titles
- Ohio State University: 8 titles
- University of Wisconsin: 6 titles
- University of Illinois: 5 titles
- University of Minnesota: 4 titles
- University of Iowa: 4 titles
- Purdue University: 3 titles
- Penn State University: 3 titles
- Northwestern University: 0 titles
As you can see, the University of Michigan has won the most Big Ten basketball championships with 11 titles, followed by Indiana University with 9 titles.
Michigan Wolverines
The University of Michigan Wolverines are the most successful program in Big Ten basketball history. The Wolverines have won 11 Big Ten championships, the most of any school in the conference.
The Wolverines have won titles in all five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 1989. They have also won two NCAA championships, in 1989 and 1992.
Michigan has been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Cazzie Russell, Glen Rice, Chris Webber, and Trey Burke.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the second-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with nine conference titles. The Hoosiers have won titles in four of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 2002.
The Hoosiers have also won five NCAA championships, the most of any Big Ten school. Their most recent title came in 1987, when they defeated Syracuse to win the national championship.
Indiana has been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Isiah Thomas, Steve Alford, and Victor Oladipo.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the third-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with eight conference titles. The Buckeyes have won titles in three of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 2012.
The Buckeyes have also won one NCAA championship, in 1960. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Greg Oden.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the fourth-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with six conference titles. The Badgers have won titles in three of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 2015.
The Badgers have also won two NCAA championships, in 1941 and 2000. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Michael Finley, Alando Tucker, and Frank Kaminsky.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are the fifth-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with five conference titles. The Illini have won titles in three of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 2005.
The Illini have also won one NCAA championship, in 2005. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Deron Williams, Dee Brown, and Deron Williams.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the sixth-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with four conference titles. The Gophers have won titles in two of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 1982.
The Gophers have also won two NCAA championships, in 1947 and 1997. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Lou Hudson, Kevin McHale, and Kris Humphries.
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes are the seventh-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with four conference titles. The Hawkeyes have won titles in two of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 1979.
The Hawkeyes have also won one NCAA championship, in 1955. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Bill Seaberg, Ronnie Lester, and Fred Brown.
Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers are the eighth-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with three conference titles. The Boilermakers have won titles in two of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 2010.
The Boilermakers have also won two NCAA championships, in 1969 and 1980. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Rick Mount, Joe Barry Carroll, and Robbie Hummel.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions are the ninth-most successful program in Big Ten basketball history, with three conference titles. The Nittany Lions have won titles in two of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence, with their last championship coming in 1954.
The Nittany Lions have also won one NCAA championship, in 1954. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including John Amaechi, Jesse Arnelle, and John Amaechi.
Northwestern Wildcats
The Northwestern Wildcats are the last-place team in Big Ten basketball history, with zero conference titles. The Wildcats have not won a Big Ten championship in any of the five decades of the Big Ten’s existence.
The Wildcats have not won an NCAA championship, either. They have been led by some of the greatest players in Big Ten history, including Evan Eschmeyer, Tim Doyle, and John Shurna.
Conclusion
The University of Michigan Wolverines have won the most Big Ten basketball championships, with 11 titles. The Indiana Hoosiers are second with nine titles, followed by the Ohio State Buckeyes with eight titles. The Wisconsin Badgers, Illinois Fighting Illini, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Iowa Hawkeyes, Purdue Boilermakers, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Northwestern Wildcats round out the list of Big Ten champions.