Big Ten Basketball: Postseason success proves league above the rest

Big Ten Basketball: Postseason success proves league best in college hoops

By Ryan Kay | Mar 23, 2019

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 17: The Michigan State Spartans pose for photos after beating the Michigan Wolverines 65-60 in the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 21: Gabe Kalscheur #22, Dupree McBrayer #1, Michael Hurt #42, and Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers stand on the court during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Louisville Cardinals at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

It’s been a good week for Big Ten Basketball across multiple postseason events so far. Does this prove that they’re the best conference in college basketball?

Prior to Wisconsin losing to Oregon, the Big Ten started post season play 8-0. The top-tier teams Michigan State, Purdue, and Michigan all won their NCAA round of 64 games by double digits. The Spartans and Wolverines both played into the late afternoon on Sunday and both had a quick turn around and quickly got to Des Moines, Iowa for their Thursday games. Granted both were #2 seeds playing #15 seeds but they won by 11 and 19 points respectively.

Purdue also played Thursday as a #3 seed and won by 13 and advanced along with Michigan State and Michigan to the round of 32. However, it is what the other Big Ten teams have done thus far that is the most impressive.

Minnesota who entered the NCAA tournament as a #10 seed faced ACC foe Louisville and the Gophers showed that they can run with the best of them. In a high scoring game, Minnesota made 11 three pointers in a ten point victory over the Cardinals. The Gophers will play fellow Big Ten foe Michigan State in the round of 32.

Maryland as the #6 seed faced Belmont who started the NCAA Tournament with an 11 point victory over Temple in Dayton, Ohio. Some college basketball experts had predicted that Belmont riding a 14 game winning streak was poised to defeat Maryland as they faced off in Jacksonville, Florida. The Terrapins refused to back down and used their size inside to overpower the Bruins to a 79-77 victory. Maryland looks to upset #3 seed LSU in hopes of advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

Iowa like Minnesota were given a #10 seed as they faced top 25 ranked and American Athletic Conference Tournament champion Cincinnati. The Bearcats entered the game as the favorites as the game was also played in the state of Ohio. The Hawkeyes entered the tournament losing five of their last six games but, playing 22 game Big Ten games seemed to prepare them for Cincinnati.

The Hawkeyes trailed the Bearcats for most of the game but failed to give in and fought back to defeat Cincinnati by seven points. However, the 6-0 NCAA Tournament start does not tell the whole story on why the Big Ten is the best college basketball conference from top to bottom.

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