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5 Basketball Teams With the Best Chance of Winning the Big Ten

January 9, 2025 by Howard Brubaker

Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) celebrates against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Williams Arena.

Basketball in the Big Ten Conference has always been a challenge. The league is well known to be a gauntlet, and every night, every team will give each other their best shot. That is no different during this 2024-25 season . This year’s biggest difference is the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. It’s no surprise that winning in the Big Ten will be challenging, but the following five basketball teams have a good shot.

5 Basketball Teams With the Best Chance of Winning the Big Ten

Michigan State

The Spartans have already showcased their strength by winning two Big Ten games on the road at Minnesota and Ohio State, which have been tough venues in the past. Add in they beat a strong Nebraska team by 37 points earlier this season. It appears Tom Izzo has found the magic to get Michigan State back into the Big Ten title picture. They have plenty of players with potential across the lineup, but this team still needs to have one of their guys become a go-to scorer in clutch moments, and the shooting has to be consistent. They are doing what old-school Izzo teams have been known for. Defend, rebound, and run. Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. appears to be finding the confidence to lead the way.

The way the Spartans are playing as a team and crashing the glass will make it more difficult for their opponents. It will be huge for their championship push if they can continue their seven-game winning streak through the rest of this month. February’s schedule will be very telling for Michigan State.

Michigan

Like their rival MSU, the Wolverines are playing team basketball. Dusty May has Michigan clicking. Danny Wolf arguably might be the best all-around player in the Big Ten. They have three losses on the season, but those defeats are by a combined five points. Outside of some rough play in the closing minutes of those games, the Wolverines have shown grit across the board.

The biggest concern for this team has to be the bench. That might be their only weakness. They have a lot of confidence in their coach and themselves. It certainly looks and feels like a John Beilein type of team. That is far and away better than what they were under Juwan Howard. That confidence is going to help them keep on winning games. You have to win on the road to win the Big Ten, and Michigan is doing that.

Illinois

The Fighting Illini have been in the Big Ten title hunt for the last five seasons. They have been, by far, one of the most consistent teams since coach Brad Underwood arrived. His first season was rough, but he’s gotten it clicking. Illinois has shown how well they play away from home throughout Underwood’s tenure, which is no different this season. They just finished a west-coast trip to both Washington and Oregon, and they handled business. The match-up with the Huskies was close, but a win’s a win. The performance they put up against the Ducks was impressive.

Tre White has been showcasing his skill, and he’s been a great playmaker alongside Kasparas Jakucionis . Kylan Boswell has also been bringing the leadership the team has needed. Everyone knew Illinois had a lot of roster changes in the offseason, but the talent is there in Champaign. Those road wins will pay dividends come the end of February and into March.

Purdue

Purdue will be in contention as long as they have Braden Smith on the floor. The guy is a winner, and he’s going to fight to the end. While they weren’t looking so hot coming into the new year, the Boilermakers appear to have seen and heard all the chatter. Smith has shown why he was a preseason Big Ten Player of the Year pick. Over the past week, he’s averaging well over 22 points, nearly 10 assists, and just over five rebounds. Add in Trey Kaufman-Renn , who appears to be finding his rhythm.

Replacing a two-time Naismith Player of the Year wasn’t going to be easy. It wouldn’t have been shocking if Purdue was going to take a step back this year. Yet they find themselves right there in the hunt again. The non-conference road wasn’t too kind, but until someone walks into Mackey Arena and beats them straight up, Purdue is as dangerous as ever, especially in the Big Ten.

UCLA

This team might be the haziest of them all. One week, they can look like giant killers; the next, they struggle against mid-pack at best teams. Then again, Nebraska appears to be in the top half of the conference this season. You can’t blame the Bruins for a rough trip to Lincoln. A couple of losses in the Big Ten aren’t going to kill you. When it’s all said and done with 18 teams gunning to beat each other, a five-loss champion or even tie for it has to be well in consideration.

Like most of the top teams in the Big Ten, winning on the road is what it will take to win the league. Not to mention defending your home floor. Like the Bruins, Oregon could easily be in the conversation as well.

The post 5 Basketball Teams With the Best Chance of Winning the Big Ten appeared first on Last Word On Basketball .

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