The Big Ten Tournament begins March 10 at the United Center in Chicago, closing out a regular season that saw Michigan dominate the conference.
Championship Week begins in Chicago
The Wolverines finished 29-2 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten play, setting a conference record for most league victories in a season. Nebraska, Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin all finished near the top of the standings and will enter the week believing they can win the automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
Beyond the talent on the floor, the Big Ten features one of the most accomplished coaching groups in the country. Several coaches have reached the Final Four, many have long NCAA Tournament resumes, and a few rising names are quickly building impressive careers.
Here is a full ranking of all 18 Big Ten head coaches entering the 2026 Big Ten Tournament.
18. Jake Diebler, Ohio State
2025-26 record: 20-11 (12-8 Big Ten)
Jake Diebler delivered an up-and-down, season at Ohio State, but compared to the rest of the conference, he still has the shortest resume. This is only his third year leading the Buckeyes and he has not yet guided a team to the NCAA Tournament as a head coach.
17. Mike Rhoades, Penn State
2025-26 record: 12-19 (3-17 Big Ten)
Mike Rhoades built his reputation at VCU where he led the Rams to three NCAA Tournament appearances and several Atlantic 10 title runs. Penn State struggled throughout conference play this season and finished last in the Big Ten standings.
16. Danny Sprinkle, Washington
2025-26 record: 15-16 (7-13 Big Ten)
Danny Sprinkle arrived after guiding Utah State to the NCAA Tournament and building a reputation as a strong program builder. Washington showed flashes during its first Big Ten season but will need roster upgrades to climb the standings.
15. Eric Musselman, USC
2025-26 record: 18-13 (7-13 Big Ten)
Eric Musselman has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous postseason coaches in the country. He led Nevada to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and later guided Arkansas to Elite Eight runs in 2021 and 2022. USC finished below .500 in Big Ten play this season but Musselman’s March resume remains impressive.
14. Steve Pikiell, Rutgers
2025-26 record: 13-18 (6-14 Big Ten)
Steve Pikiell previously built Stony Brook into one of the best mid-major programs in the country before taking the Rutgers job in 2016. He later led the Scarlet Knights to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022, helping restore relevance to the program.
13. Niko Medved, Minnesota
2025-26 record: 15-16 (8-12 Big Ten)
Niko Medved built Colorado State into a consistent Mountain West contender and led the Rams to NCAA Tournament appearances before arriving in Minneapolis. His first season at Minnesota showed gradual improvement as the year progressed.
12. Buzz Williams, Maryland
2025-26 record: 11-20 (4-16 Big Ten)
Buzz Williams has built a strong resume across several programs. He led Marquette to the Sweet 16 in 2013 and guided both Virginia Tech and Texas A&M to NCAA Tournament appearances. His first season at Maryland was difficult, but Williams has proven he can rebuild programs.
11. Chris Collins, Northwestern
2025-26 record: 13-18 (5-15 Big Ten)
Chris Collins made history by leading Northwestern to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017. He later guided the Wildcats back to the tournament in 2023 and 2024 and remains the most successful coach in program history.
10. Ben McCollum, Iowa
2025-26 record: 20-11 (10-10 Big Ten)
Ben McCollum arrived at Iowa after building Drake into a consistent NCAA Tournament program. His Bulldogs reached the tournament multiple times and regularly competed for Missouri Valley titles. His first season in the Big Ten ended with a .500 conference record.
9. Darian DeVries, Indiana
2025-26 record: 18-13 (9-11 Big Ten)
Darian DeVries built Drake into an NCAA Tournament regular and later coached at West Virginia before taking the Indiana job. The Hoosiers finished 18-13 this season and enter March squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble as they try to secure a bid.
8. Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
2025-26 record: 26-5 (15-5 Big Ten)
Fred Hoiberg delivered one of the best seasons in Nebraska history. The Cornhuskers finished second in the Big Ten and spent much of the year ranked nationally. Hoiberg previously led Iowa State to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2013 through 2016.
7. Brad Underwood, Illinois
2025-26 record: 24-7 (15-5 Big Ten)
Brad Underwood has built Illinois into one of the most consistent programs in the conference with multiple NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure. Despite the strong resume, Underwood has never reached a Final Four.
6. Greg Gard, Wisconsin
2025-26 record: 22-9 (14-6 Big Ten)
Greg Gard continues to keep Wisconsin among the Big Ten’s most reliable programs. The Badgers have reached seven NCAA Tournaments under his leadership and have captured two Big Ten regular season titles. Wisconsin once again finished near the top of the standings this season.
5. Mick Cronin, UCLA
2025-26 record: 21-10 (13-7 Big Ten)
Mick Cronin led UCLA to the 2021 Final Four and has consistently guided teams to the NCAA Tournament dating back to his Cincinnati days. His physical defensive style has translated well as the Bruins adjust to life in the Big Ten.
4. Dana Altman, Oregon
2025-26 record: 12-19 (5-15 Big Ten)
Dana Altman’s teams are normally among the most dangerous in March. He led Oregon to the 2017 Final Four and has guided the Ducks to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances.
This season was clearly a poor one for Oregon, but that is not typical for Altman’s program.
3. Matt Painter, Purdue
2025-26 record: 23-8 (13-7 Big Ten)
Matt Painter has built Purdue into one of the most consistent programs in college basketball. He has led the Boilermakers to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances and guided Purdue to the 2024 Final Four and national championship game.
2. Dusty May, Michigan
2025-26 record: 29-2 (19-1 Big Ten)
Dusty May first captured national attention when he led Florida Atlantic to the 2023 Final Four. Now in his second season at Michigan, he guided the Wolverines to a historic 19-1 conference record and the Big Ten regular season championship.
Michigan enters the tournament as the clear favorite.
1. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
2025-26 record: 25-6 (15-5 Big Ten)
Tom Izzo remains the gold standard in the Big Ten. The Hall of Fame coach has led Michigan State to eight Final Fours in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2019 while also winning the 2000 national championship.
Even after three decades in East Lansing, Izzo’s teams are still capable of deep March runs.
2026 Big Ten Tournament schedule
United Center | Chicago
First round
Tuesday, March 10
Second round
Wednesday, March 11
Third round
Thursday, March 12
Quarterfinals
Friday, March 13
Semifinals
Saturday, March 14
Championship
Sunday, March 15
The semifinals and championship will air nationally on CBS as the Big Ten crowns its tournament champion and secures an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.