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Big Ten Staking Its Claim

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: March 7, 2009

Updated: 03/07/2009 12:40 am

All season long, there has been a debate at the top.

Which conference is better - the ACC or the Big East?

Could it be? When Selection Sunday rolls around, could the highest number of NCAA Tournament bids go to ... the Big Ten?

Yes, it's possible. Maybe even likely.

The Big Ten, of course, has been downright painful to watch at times. Exhibit A: Penn State 38, Illinois 33 on Feb. 18. It was a magnificent brick-fest - Penn State shot 28 percent from the field and won - and Nittany Lions coach Ed DeChellis admitted to looking at the scoreboard and wondering if it was really the second half.

That game probably was unfairly held up as the Big Ten template.

In reality, the Big Ten has been ridiculously balanced. If the right things break, the Big Ten could get eight NCAA bids (also a possibility for the ACC or Big East, although they might have to settle for seven each).

Here's the Big Ten's potential Great Eight:

•Michigan State (24-5, 14-3) - The Spartans, already the outright regular-season champions, have Final Four potential. And that would be particularly meaningful with Detroit hosting the event this year.

•Purdue (22-8, 11-6) - The Boilermakers, as long as Robbie Hummel stays healthy, will be a tough out.

•Illinois (23-8, 11-7) - This will make five NCAA bids in Coach Bruce Weber's six seasons.

•Penn State (21-9, 10-7) - The Nittany Lions' first bid since 2001 was probably assured Thursday night with the last-second win against Illinois (making for a sweep against the Illini).

•Minnesota (21-8, 9-8) - Coach Tubby Smith's Golden Gophers have gone 3-5 down the stretch, taking the shine off a 16-1 start, but they have done enough.

•Ohio State (19-9, 9-8) - Shaky throughout February and definitely can't afford a Sunday loss against Northwestern.

•Wisconsin (18-11, 9-8) - Facing Indiana (1-16 in the Big Ten) on Sunday night, so a winning league record seems like a safe bet.

•Michigan (18-12, 8-9) - The Wolverines really need a win today at Wisconsin. A break-even record in the Big Ten - plus nonconference victories against Duke and UCLA - should get the job done.

The ACC and Big East are stronger at the top. But the Big Ten might be deeper in the middle. And that's why Selection Sunday could have the Big Ten with eight NCAA bids to tie the Big East's record from 2006 and 2008.

A few months ago - at the pinnacle of the ACC-Big East debate - who saw that coming?

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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