It is Feb. 18, just a handful of weeks until the Big Ten tournament and Selection Sunday. It's time for the Big ten squads to put all their chips into the middle of the table and make the final push for March. With 18 teams, three are at risk of missing any postseason play. Today we are going to go a different route for TWIBTBB but still take care of one piece of original programming.
Tom Izzo stands alone, breaks Bob Knight's Big Ten conference win record
After the heartbreak that occurred in Breslin Center in the loss to Indiana, Spartan fans had to wait til Saturday to celebrate Izzo’s accomplishment — 354 is the total that Izzo needed and the final win was tallied at State Farm Center in Champaign.
Izzo will hold that record for a good chunk of time, but potentially less time than he had to wait to break Knight’s record. Matt Painter is the second closest active head coach with 227 wins.
Looking at each Big Ten team (Order of current Big Ten standings before Tuesday games)
1. Michigan (12-2)
The Wolverines are in sole possession of first place in the conference and since the loss at Mackey Arena have gotten slowly better and better. Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin are the heartbeat of this squad, but after seeing more and more Nimari Burnett’s shooting threat and spacing + Tre Donaldson’s playmaking adds to why Michigan tops the Big Ten currently.
The Theme: Michigan plays in runs. It enters the U12 timeout in a half up 10+, but always seems to fumble it away due to turnovers and inconsistent shooting.
The Resolve: Stop turning the ball over and it can be a Final Four team. One bad eight minute stretch can get Michigan punched out of the NCAA tournament on day one.
Next: Michigan State on Friday in Ann Arbor
2. Michigan State (11-3)
Michigan State has no blue-chip or lottery pick on this roster but still finds ways to win, which is a testament to how well coached they are. Jaden Aikens is currently the leading scorer (13.2 ppg) but each Spartan victory seems like a true team effort, except for its last two. Against Illinois, Jaxon Kohler went for 23 points and against Oregon, Jase Richardson had 29. But a 0-2 trip outwest and a home loss to Indiana have set this team behind Michigan.
The Theme: This team cannot shoot 3’s. Aikens is the most proven shooter on the squad but shoots only 29%.
The Resolve: As previously stated, State is tremendously well-coached and does what classic Izzo teams do; stout in transition and are not bad from mid-range. If it can get big performances from unlikely heroes, a la Kohler against Illinois, it has a shot for a share of the title.
Next: Purdue on Tuesday in East Lansing
3. Purdue (11-4)
In a time without Zach Edey, Braden Smith has transformed into a first-team All-American averaging 16, 8 and 4 and Trey Kaufman-Renn has developed into a first-team All-Big Ten scorer averaging 19 points per game. When those two and Fletcher Loyer are on the floor, Purdue can act the part as the best team in the conference. The pre-season injury to Daniel Jacobsen forced Matt Painter to shift things up a bit to open 2025. C.J. Cox and Caleb Furst join the aforementioned three to complete a very cohesive starting lineup.
The Theme: Smith, Loyer and TKR get lots of looks and convert a good percentage of them. But outside of those three its a little bit of unknown. Context: Daniel Jacobsen broke his leg two games into the season and currently is Purdue’s fifth leading scorer
The Resolve: Purdue lost at Michigan due to foul trouble and one cold streak put them in a hole it could not dig out of. If Kaufman-Renn can stay on the floor, Purdue could win the Big Ten tournament as it needs some help to get back in the regular season title race. Plus somebody needs to improve their scoring down the stretch, likely candidates are Furst, Cox and GiCarri Harris.
Next: Michigan State on Tuesday in East Lansing
4. Wisconsin (10-4)
Two early conference losses have plagued Wisconsin in terms of the Big Ten title race but nationally the Badgers slot in at 11th.
The Theme: This team shoots the lights out of the ball. The John’s – Tonje and Blackwell lead a charge that averages 81 points per game and in addition to those two, (out of the players that have played every game) seven Badgers shoot 30% or better from three.
The Resolve: Wisconsin is rolling and without the two early losses would be in first place. They need help.
Next: Illinois on Tuesday in Madison
5. Maryland (10-5)
Like Wisconsin, Maryland has two losses that it would very much like back. Those losses were at Washington and Oregon by six and four points respectively. But outside of that I think the world of this team. Maryland arguably has the best backcourt and a top-two frontcourt in the conference.
The Theme: Maryland faces the same struggles as Purdue. Outside of the starting five, there is an eight point drop off (Miguel is the fifth leading scorer with 12 ppg, Tafara Gapare is next with 4.3)
The Resolve: Maryland is going to get help with MSU and Purdue playing each other. If Illinois beats Wisconsin, it will see itself with a double-bye. The Terps need a win away from Xfinity Center and/or must beat Michigan State or Michigan to have a chance at a title.
Next: USC on Thursday in College Park
6. UCLA (10-5)
You never know what you are going to get offensively from the Bruins. But defensively, they are a force to be reckoned with. UCLA has won eight of their last nine to get off the mat in the conference standings and is in play for a double-bye.
The Theme: With only two players scoring in double figures, UCLA still averages 75 points per game. Tyler Bilodeau has been fantastic, leading the mid-season resurgence, averaging 14 points per game.
The Resolve: UCLA will put itself in a good spot if it continues to improve from three. It is currently eight in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage
Next: Minnesota on Tuesday in Westwood
7. Illinois (9-7)
The most talented team in the conference finds itself in seventh only two games over .500 in mid-Feb.
The Theme: It seems Illinois always has a superhuman performance from one of its freshman and then doesn’t have enough to back it up against conference opponents with a pulse.
The Resolve: A team with this much talent and the coaching prestige that Brad Underwood has, can turn it on in an instant. But in order for that, it must push its recent inconsistencies aside. One would think Illinois can find itself before March, but will its youth keep it from seeing the second and/or third weekend in the big dance?
Next: Wisconsin on Tuesday in Madison
8. Nebraska (7-8)
Fred Hoiberg has done a tremendous job once again. Brice Williams will be first-team All-Big Ten and provides a tremendous spark for the Huskers.
The Theme: After losing six games in a row in January it has rattled five of its last six and the one loss saw Williams fail to score more than 20 points. In those five victories, had no less than 21 and a high of 28 at Oregon
The Resolve: Nebraska can inch its way closer to the bubble. Easier said than done, but the hardest game the Huskers will have is Michigan at home.
Next: Penn State on Wednesday in State College
9. Oregon (7-8)
Dana Altman’s squad has lost six of the last nine but has a favorable schedule that should prevent them from seeing Wednesday of the Big Ten Tournament
The Theme: When clicking, the Ducks have a tremendous offense powered by Jackson Shelstad and a great cast of others that can really score. But its the defense that prevents them from being a power. Against Nebraska and Michigan State it gave up 28 and 29 point performances. Plus it gave up eight 3-pointers to Michigan State.
The Resolve: Oregon will play four teams under .500 in conference
Next: Iowa on Wednesday in Iowa City
10. Ohio State (7-8)
It has been a crazy rollercoaster of a season for Ohio State. With wins over Texas, Kentucky and Purdue they have quite a good resume of wins. But inconsistencies and off the court issues have derailed Ohio State from being a top squad in the Big Ten this year.
The Theme: The Buckeyes are the best 3-point shooting team in the conference, but haven’t gotten the best from a handful of its transfers. Meechie Johnson has only played 10 games and has stepped away from the team. Aaron Bradshaw has not improved since coming over from Kentucky. Sean Stewart has not made the anticipated jump.
The Resolve: After all of that bad, Ohio State is still floating near the bubble due to heroics from Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Devin Royal and the lone positive transfer addition, Micah Parrish. All four average double-figures.
Next: Northwestern on Thursday in Columbus
11. USC (6-8)
The Trojans are a funky team. Much like Michigan, its entire roster is playing together for the first time. But there was a stretch where SC was winning against good opponents. It just couldn’t find ways to win at home.
The Theme: Many claimed what was once a team that had merely athletes and not basketball players, was proved (mostly) incorrect. Desmond Claude is this team's heartbeat. In all of this team's conference wins in the 2025 calendar year, Claude has scored double figures in all and been the leading scorer in four of the five. As a team, the Trojans are 5th in field goal percentage and 6th in 3-point percentage.
The Resolve: USC will finish its schedule with four road games, three against teams that are higher in the standings and Rutgers. With that given, it will need to beat a team they are not supposed to. It has the horses to do so, but this is still a team that gave up a second half lead at home to Minnesota.
Next: Maryland on Thursday in College Park
12. Indiana (6-9)
Right up there with Illinois, Indiana was considered to have one of the most talented rosters in the country but is facing a Wednesday game in Indianapolis and killed all the momentum from its win in East Lansing a week ago with a loss to UCLA.
The Theme: The lone reason it has the win against Michigan State is that the Hoosiers encountered a team that shoots worse than they do from three, the Hoosiers are 16th, the Spartans are 18th in the conference statistical rankings. Even though the two can be streaky at times, Oumar Ballo and Malik Reneau score. But Myles Rice has done little to no scoring in some of the Hoosiers biggest games. Add that with bad final possession losses to Maryland, Purdue and Michigan, Indiana sees itself in a seemingly insurmountable hole.
The Resolve: Indiana has a couple of favorable matchups to close out the season and could potentially creep over the bubble if it were to win out. It’ll have to beat Purdue, who it went neck and neck with at Mackey. Can the Hoosiers find out a rhythm and play for Mike Woodson, who will not return next season.
Next: Purdue in Bloomington on Sunday
13. Minnesota (5-9)
Ben Johnson’s team has taken itself off of the Big Ten tournament bubble and into the 15-team field.
The Theme: Dawson Garcia has been the constant and will see himself earn All-Big Ten honors. But Garcia needed a running mate, and one has emerged in Lu’Cye Patterson. In a game Minnesota needed to have to keep its head above water, Patterson had 25 points.
The Resolve: Minnesota will finish its west coast trip with UCLA and have a ranked opportunity against Wisconsin, if it can get a win in either of those two and takes care of business with two of the three bottom feeders, Minnesota will make the Big Ten tournament.
Next: UCLA on Tuesday in Westwood
14. Iowa (5-9)
The Theme (of every Iowa team): The Hawkeyes average 84 points a game but cannot play defense. It also does not help that Owen Freeman, their leading scorer, has been sidelined for the year. Josh Dix has improved tremendously, Drew Thelwell has been a nice transfer addition averaging double-figures, and Payton Sandfort continues to shoot like an NBA draft pick. But there is no defense. Since January, Iowa has given up 90 points or more in five of its losses.
Next: Oregon on Wednesday in Iowa City
15. Rutgers (5-10)
The Theme: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper have been and continue to be phenomenal. There is just not enough juice. Eleven points per game is what separate Bailey and Harper (both averaging 18 ppg) from the third leading scorer, Lathan Sommerville.
The Resolve: Bailey and Harper look like Rutgers’ only hope to get to Indianapolis. If it were to miss, it would be brutal for all college basketball fans.
Next: Washington on Wednesday in Seattle
16. Washington (4-10)
Danny Sprinkle's first season was always going to be a work in progress.
The Theme: Great Osobor has been the teams only real constant at 14 points per game. Washington has accrued only four wins but will play two of the bottom five in Rutgers and Iowa which keep its hopes alive.
Next: Rutgers on Wednesday in Seattle
17. Northwestern (4-11)
The Theme: Nick Martinelli is without his right hand man Brooks Barnheizer and that has killed the season for Northwestern. To go on top of that Jalen Leach tore his ACL and has been sidelined for the remainder of the season. Those two losses total 31 points per game for Northwestern, now absent
Next: Ohio State on Thursday in Columbus
18. Penn State (3-12)
What was once believed to be a promising squad for the Nittany Lions, things have taken an unexpected turn.
The Theme: Ace Baldwin and Yanic Konan Niederhauser were the anchors for this Penn State squad but the support from Puff Johnson has been lost for the season. Penn State has won only two games in 2025 after only losing two in 2024.
Next: Nebraska on Wednesday in Lincoln
