The Big Ten has had a combined 26 teams in the last three NCAA Tournaments and only four of those teams have reached the second weekend of the event.
It’s a storyline that resonates throughout college basketball, especially with the league’s head coaches.
“There’s no excuses — we have to do better,” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said on this week’s edition of the College Hoops Today Podcast. “I think sometimes we beat up on ourselves with our schedule, but I also think that’s a big excuse. The beauty of the NCAA Tournament is the problem with the NCAA Tournament in some ways — it’s a one-and-done event. Look at what happened with Purdue last year. It bothers me, but it doesn’t bother me and make me worried because the league is still producing.”
The Big Ten hasn’t had a team reach the Final Four since 2019 and hasn’t had a team win the national title since 2000; both of those teams were Michigan State.
The Spartans are currently ranked FOURTH in the ROTHSTEIN 45 and are one of seven Big Ten teams ranked in the ROTHSTEIN 45.
Leftovers
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (8/20): Guest — Purdue’s Matt Painter
- Murray State will play NC State, Wisconsin to face Seton Hall in Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (8/19): Guest — UConn’s Dan Hurley
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (8/18): Guest — North Carolina’s Michael Malone
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (8/13): Guest — Kansas’ Bill Self
