The Big Ten Conference is one of the premier college basketball conferences in the country. Every season, the Big Ten teams compete for the conference title and an opportunity to represent the conference in the NCAA tournament. As the regular season winds down, it’s time to answer the question: Who is number one in Big 10 basketball?
The Favorites
Each year, a handful of teams enter the Big Ten season listed as the favorites to win the conference title. This year, the top contenders are Ohio State, Michigan State, Maryland, and Wisconsin. All four teams have had successful seasons, and each of them has a legitimate chance to win the Big Ten crown.
Ohio State:
Ohio State enters the season as the favorite to win the Big Ten title. The Buckeyes have one of the best teams in the conference, led by All-American forward Kaleb Wesson. Ohio State has a deep roster, with plenty of role players who can contribute when called upon. The Buckeyes are also one of the top defensive teams in the Big Ten, which should help them make a run at the conference title.
Michigan State:
The Spartans are always a contender in the Big Ten, and this year is no different. Michigan State has a deep roster, led by All-American guard Cassius Winston. The Spartans are one of the most experienced teams in the conference, and they have plenty of talent to make a run at the conference title.
Maryland:
The Terrapins have had a solid season, and they enter the season as one of the top contenders in the Big Ten. Maryland is led by All-American guard Anthony Cowan Jr., and they have a deep roster of talented players. The Terps are one of the best defensive teams in the conference, and they should be in the hunt for the conference title.
Wisconsin:
The Badgers have had a strong season and enter the season as one of the top teams in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is led by All-American forward Ethan Happ, and they have plenty of role players who can contribute when called upon. The Badgers are one of the top defensive teams in the conference, and they should be in the mix for the conference title.
Dark Horses
While these four teams are the favorites to win the Big Ten, there are a few teams that could make a run at the conference title.
Penn State:
The Nittany Lions have had a strong season, and they enter the season as one of the dark horses to win the Big Ten. Penn State is led by All-American guard Lamar Stevens, and they have a deep roster of talented players. The Nittany Lions are one of the best defensive teams in the conference, and they could make a run at the conference title.
Iowa:
The Hawkeyes have had a solid season, and they enter the season as one of the dark horses in the Big Ten. Iowa is led by All-American forward Tyler Cook, and they have a deep roster of talented players. The Hawkeyes are one of the best offensive teams in the conference, and they could make a run at the conference title.
The Verdict
At the end of the season, it’s time to answer the question: Who is number one in Big 10 basketball? The favorite to win the Big Ten title is Ohio State, but Michigan State, Maryland, and Wisconsin are also in the mix. Penn State and Iowa could also make a run at the conference title, but it is unlikely that they will be able to knock off one of the favorites. In the end, Ohio State is the favorite to win the Big Ten title, but it will be a close race.