Sports|Sports Teams

The Best Big Ten Basketball Teams

Ranker Sports
Updated March 16, 2025 14 items
Ranked By
1.0K votes
201 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up the Big Ten schools with the historically best basketball team.

The list of Big Ten basketball programs is responsible for some of the most incredible players, teams, and games in NCAA history. There are 11 total NCAA championship victories for all the teams in the Big Ten conference, and the best Big Ten basketball are always in contention for college basketball's biggest prize.

NBA legends Magic Johnson, John Havilcek, and Chris Webber are among the iconic players to get their college time in the Big Ten, while current NBA stars Draymond Green, Victor Oladipo and D’Angelo Russell also once called the Big Ten home.

Which legacy stands out as the most impressive? Which Big Ten basketball program belongs above the others? Vote below, then check back to see how other college basketball fans voted.

  • Michigan State Spartans
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      • Michigan State
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    Michigan State Spartans

    All-time record: 1717-1091
    Conferences titles: 15
    National championships: 2
    Final Four appearances: 9

    Notable players: Magic Johnson, Draymond Green, Steve Smith, Jason Richardson

    • Location: East Lansing, Michigan
    125 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Indiana Hoosiers
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      • Indiana
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    Indiana Hoosiers

    All-time record: 1833-1053
    Conferences titles: 22
    National championships: 5
    Final Four appearances: 8

    Notable players: Isiah Thomas, Victor Oladipo, Calbert Cheaney, Eric Gordon

    • Location: Bloomington, Indiana
    134 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Purdue Boilermakers
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      • Purdue
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    Purdue Boilermakers

    All-time record: 1821-1020
    Conferences titles: 24
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 2

    Notable players: Glenn Robinson, Rick Mount, Joe Barry Carroll

    • Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
    111 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Illinois Fighting Illini
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      • Illinois
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    Illinois Fighting Illini

    All-time record: 1788-1014
    Conferences titles: 17
    National championships: 0
    Final Four appearances: 5

    Notable players: Deron Williams, Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill, Derek Harper

     

    • Location: Champaign, Illinois
    87 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Michigan Wolverines
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      • Michigan
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    Michigan Wolverines

    All-time record: 1616-1039
    Conferences titles: 14
    National championships: 1
    Final Four appearances: 8

    Notable players: Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Glen Rice, Juwan Howard, Jamal Crawford

    • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
    86 votes
    Is this impressive?
  • Wisconsin Badgers
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      • Wisconsin
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    Wisconsin Badgers

    All-time record: 1614-1214
    Conferences titles: 18
    National championships: 1
    Final Four appearances: 4

    Notable players: Michael Finley, Devin Harris, Frank Kaminsky

    • Location: Madison, Wisconsin
    89 votes
    Is this impressive?