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WATCH: BTN analysts explain why Michigan, Michigan State are title contenders

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

The two best teams in the B1G right now are Michigan and Michigan State. After two months on the hardwood, those two squads have separated from the rest of the pack.

But does either team have a realistic shot at winning a national championship, something the B1G hasn’t done since 2000? Two Big Ten Network analysts believe they do.

Mike DeCourcy and Jess Settles agree that Michigan (15-0) has the best shot to compete for a national title, citing it’s high defensive ranking as the catalyst behind its success. Michigan State (13-2) was also mentioned as a team in the running, but they’d need to improve to have a legitimate shot to claim a championship.

The B1G is arguably the best conference in college basketball this season. Between six and eight teams have been ranked in the top 25 throughout the course of the season and the league has been considered one of the deepest in college basketball.

Still, Michigan and Michigan State are viewed as one step ahead of the rest.

Unfortunately, B1G fans are going to have to wait to see the league’s top two teams go head to head. Michigan and Michigan State won’t play until Feb. 24 and then will round out the season on March 9.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB