Bracketology: The relative Big Ten strength and the field as it stands

By Lukas Harkins | Dec 19, 2016

Dec 10, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig (24) during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Wisconsin won 93-84. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

With the non-conference schedule wrapping up, let’s take a peak at how this week’s Bracketology turned out.

When you take a peak at the early-season rankings, there is one major thing missing: the Big Ten in the top-10.

Related Story: The ACC dominance and where the field stands

It has become a staple in the last several years to see a team like Michigan State, or Ohio State, or Wisconsin, or Indiana, or a combination of many others to be splattered across that top tier entering conference play. But that’s not the case this year. And that begs the question: Where is the Big Ten?

To put it simply, the conference is just fine. In fact, it might be better than ever this season.

With just a few games left before conference play begins, there is only one team, Nebraska, under .500 in the entire conference. And although the non-conference schedule for some teams is relatively weak, the conference is touting a 120-41 (.745) record to this point in the season.

More from Bracketology

In the bracket below, the Big Ten sends eight teams to the tournament, which would be second behind the ACC. And on top of these great numbers, we are seeing the emergence of several programs once thought to be oversights in the conference.

For starters, let’s take a look at Northwestern, a team that has never made the NCAA Tournament. Led by guard Bryant McIntosh, the Wildcats are off to a blazing 9-2 start, with losses to just Butler and Notre Dame, who are both ranked opponents. They have also found themselves at a number seven seed in the bracket below, a feat most did not see coming entering the season.

On top of the Wildcats, Rutgers (yes, that Rutgers) and Minnesota are a combined 22-2 to start the season.

Following those hot starts come the usual stand-by’s. Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Purdue are all legitimate top-25 teams, with Michigan and Northwestern right there knocking on the door.

Lastly, might I remind you that this is all happening in a down year by conference powerhouse Michigan State, who is struggling at 7-5?

So before you say that the Big Ten is having a down year, take a look at their depth, because that conference will make you play hard for all 40 minutes every single night to get the W.

You might not see your team in the seeding above, but is this the time to panic? Well, if you’re in a major conference like the ACC or the Big Ten, then no, but if you are sitting in a mid-major with a relatively low strength of schedule, then maybe it is.

All it takes is a few big wins against RPI top teams and no disastrous losses, and you could see your team make a move into the bracket really quickly. But for now, here are the teams that barely squeaked in, and those that are right on the edge:

Bids by Conference Breakdown:

ACC: 10 Big Ten: 8

Pac-12: 4 Big 12: 6

Big East: 6 SEC: 5

A-10: 3 West Coast: 2

Next: Three takeaways from Kentucky's thrilling win versus UNC

Comment below, or tweet at @bustingbrackets or @hardwiredsports to discuss this week’s Bracketology. May your bubble remain intact throughout the next stretch of games.

Home/Bracketology