By Chris Harris Contributor
Updated 11/9/23 4:50 pm ET
Lofty expectations are customary for the Big Ten. Fulfilling them is where the conference hopes to change its college basketball course, given it has only produced one national champion since 1989.
Purdue is a top contender and returns the national player of the year in Zach Edey, who is a +160 favorite to win the Wooden Award again. The 7-foot-4 center and Boilermakers were among the favorites last year but were bounced as a one-seed in the first round by 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson.
Purdue is a +115 favorite to win the Big Ten with Michigan State (+550) next in line. Tom Izzo returns for his 29th season and may have a squad capable of reaching his ninth Final Four. However, Sparty has lost three of its first seven games, plummeting out of the Top 25 after entering the season ranked #4 in the country.
Illinois and Ohio State are tied for the third-shortest conference odds at +1000. Last year, the Buckeyes finished 16-19 and one spot out of the Big Ten’s basement. With six returning players and the nation’s eighth-ranked recruiting class, the Buckeyes are expecting a distinct improvement. Ohio State opens conference play against Minnesota on December 3rd.
Last season, Illinois went 20-13 (11-9) to finish 5th in the Big Ten, before losing to Arkansas in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. This year, Illinois is led by preseason All-American Terrence Shannon Jr and fellow senior Coleman Hawkins. The Illini kick off Big Ten play against Rutgers on December 2nd.
Below are the Big Ten odds, courtesy of FanDuel:
Big Ten Regular Season Title Odds:
Purdue (+115)
Michigan State (+550)
Illinois (+1000)
Ohio State (+1000)
Maryland (+1300)
Wisconsin (+1300)
Michigan (+2000)
Iowa (+2000)
Nebraska (+2000)
Northwestern (+2500)
Indiana (+3500)
Penn State (+5000)
Minnesota (+25000)
Three different Big Ten schools won five national championships between 1976 and 1989. A dry spell has since followed with Izzo and Michigan State producing the lone title in 2000. Purdue is the current betting favorite but only once in the last decade has the preseason favorite won it all.
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