Wisconsin Basketball: Where do Badgers fall in best of Big Ten since 2010?
By Zac Pestine
Where does Wisconsin basketball rank in the best Big Ten teams since 2010? The answer may surprise you, especially given this year’s Michigan phenomenon.
Love ’em or hate ’em, this year’s Michigan basketball squad was a fine representative of the Big Ten. Head coach John Beilein always seems to have his kids playing their best ball in March. From the Jordan Poole shot vs. Houston, to Mo Wagner’s dominant performance against Loyola-Chicago in the Final Four, this Blue team had heart.
Was this Michigan team dominant? Well, they won the Big Ten Tournament despite being saddled with the number five seed, and fought their way through the NCAA Tournament all the way to the National Championship Game. However, the Wolverines didn’t play a single team seeded higher than six to get there.
An impressive run, no doubt, but this Michigan basketball team probably won’t be remembered as one of the great Big Ten teams over the years.
Here is a ranking of top five most dominant Big Ten basketball teams since 2010, factoring in regular season performance, NCAA Tournament performance, and overall talent.
5. Tie: Ohio State, 2010-2011; Michigan State, 2011-2012
These two teams are similar. Both featured immensely talented lineups that dominated the regular season. Led by future pro Jared Sullinger, the 2010-2011 Buckeyes cruised through the Big Ten, going 16-2 in the regular season, winning the Big Ten Tournament, and earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
This extremely deep OSU team also featured William Buford, John Diebler, David Lighty, DeShaun Thomas, and Aaron Craft. But for an earlier than expected loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16, this team would be ranked even higher. However, without a Final Four appearance, does it really Matta?
In 2011-2012, the Spartans of East Lansing imitated the above-mentioned Buckeyes. Like the OSU team, they won the Big Ten regular season (though not outright). They also won the Big Ten Tournament and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, before exiting in the Sweet 16 to Louisville. Just another example of a Big Ten team that Izzo close, yet so far away from cutting down the ultimate nets.
Perhaps the most dominant feature of this MSU team was its leader, Draymond Green, who won Big Ten Player of the Year and is arguably the best Big Ten player in the NBA today (the other candidate is from a team coming up shortly).