The Big Ten conference was uncharacteristically dominant during the 2024-25 season. Although only eight of the 18 teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament, all were seeded No. 7 or higher, signaling a strong performance year. This was particularly impressive, considering no teams managed to reach the Final Four, along with some mishaps in Piscataway and Bloomington.
This spring brought both advantages and challenges to the Big Ten. A significant loss of high-caliber talent was a concern, with potentially up to eight players expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
On the coaching front, the Big Ten experienced significant movement. Indiana brought in West Virginia’s Darian DeVries, a strong contender for Big 12 Coach of the Year. Similarly, Iowa secured Ben McCollum, a candidate for National Coach of the Year, while Minnesota hired Niko Medved, renowned for his consistent excellence in the Mountain West.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, the Big Ten appears to blend potential national championship contenders with a noticeable improvement in depth. The conference could field as many as twelve teams that legitimately expect to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, distinguishing between actual contenders and those merely hoping to participate may be challenging, particularly as shifts in player rosters occur leading up to November.
For evaluating outlooks, categorizing teams into tiers might be beneficial:
- Tier 1 – Title contenders: Teams with real potential to capture the championship, not just advance past the first weekend.
- Tier 2 – Top 25 caliber club: Talented teams likely to make the NCAA Tournament, but with some flaws that might hinder deeper runs.
- Tier 3 – Tournament team: Teams with decent rosters that could flirt with top-25 status but aren’t serious championship threats.
- Tier 4 – Bubblicious: Teams that might contend for an NCAA bid but face potential pitfalls, including the NIT.
- Tier 5 – The basement: Teams with very slim chances of reaching the tournament unless significant changes occur.
To summarize the previous season’s standings and delve into the current status of the teams, we will closely analyze the Big Ten landscape moving forward.
