Big Ten basketball's national title drought reaches historic proportions
Big Ten basketball has traditionally been one of the strongest and deepest leagues in the country. Unfortunately for the conference, that reputation has not led to regular national titles.
Monday night, Matt Painter and Purdue were the latest to try and end the title drought that dates back to 2000 in a showdown against UConn. Instead of winning the Big Ten’s first title in nearly a quarter of a century, the Boilermakers ran out of steam before falling 75-60 to the Huskies.
As a result, Michigan State’s national championship in 2000 under Tom Izzo remains the most recent title for the B1G, a drought approaching 25 years if things do not turn around. By contrast, UConn just put the finishing touches on its 6th national title since 1999.
Making matters worse, the league has been able to get back to this stage with 12 title game appearances across men’s and women’s basketball since the Spartans cut down the nets in 2000. Unfortunately, B1G teams are 0-12 in those opportunities, including Iowa’s women’s team and Caitlin Clark going 0-for-2 and Purdue’s loss Monday night.
Will things change in the 2024-25 season? The B1G does get bigger with the additions of USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon, but none of those programs currently appear poised to deliver a national title immediately. And of the best teams from the league this season, Purdue is likely to need a replacement for Zach Edey and Illinois will replace a key core of players from an Elite 8 team.
Fan reaction
Teams in the Big Ten will look to improve their roster in the offseason. But, for now, there is a fair amount of criticism and scrutiny to go around after another year without a ring.
These states are a combined 0-10 in the last 22 men’s basketball title games. pic.twitter.com/IiJz8ZWLA0
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) April 9, 2024
I was a freshman in college the last time B1G won a men’s basketball title (I am old). Wasn’t going to happen this year but at some point the league has to produce the best team. Enough NIL resources, resources, coaches, fan bases. 24+ years without a title is inexcusable.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 9, 2024
The Big Ten is now 0-12 in NCAA Tournament title games (men’s or women’s) since the MSU men won it all in 2000.
That’s 3 times longer than the next-longest losing streak any conference has had in title games (4 by Big Ten from 1961-69, SEC from 2000-04 & Pac-12 from 2001-10). pic.twitter.com/82LMWy2VYV
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 9, 2024
Four of the past eight NCAA title winners have been from the Big East. The Big Ten title drought continues, as Michigan State in 2000 was the last winner from that league.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 9, 2024
The Big Ten should add UConn just to end The Streak 😂
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 9, 2024
need this man to end the Big Ten’s title drought pic.twitter.com/r3f1nMmBAg
— Connor Meltdowney (@Connormuldowney) April 9, 2024
The last time a Big Ten basketball team won a national title — Y2K
Frosted tips & penciled on eyebrows pic.twitter.com/YBSp2p6JCb
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) April 8, 2024
NCAA Tournament Championships since 2000
Big East- 8
ACC- 8
Big 12- 3
SEC- 3
AAC- 1
Big Ten- 1— Ryan Cassidy (@ryancassidycbb) April 9, 2024
It’s now a quarter-century since the Big Ten won a title.
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) April 9, 2024
It’s a tough look that the Big Ten hasn’t won a title since 2000, but it’s also somewhat impressive that seven different B1G schools have reached the title game since then. But titles are what we remember.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 9, 2024
For good and bad, remarkable I think:
Since last Big Ten title, B1G has lost more than 1/3 of NCAA title games (8 of 23) and 7 different teams have tried. That’s 64% of programs in B1G in 2000.
Michigan (2), Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, Illinois, Indiana— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) April 9, 2024