The Big Ten is traditionally one of the best basketball conferences in America and after almost two weeks of play, no one is disappointed.

Michigan State is undoubtedly the conference's premier team, as the Spartans try to defend their national championship with a whole new cast of talented players.

Even though the Spartans are the tops in the conference, by no means does that mean the Big Ten is top heavy.

Here is our look at how the Big Ten is shaping up and predictions on who will cause havoc in your March Madness brackets.

No. 1: Michigan State Spartans (14-1, 3-1 Big Ten)

With three starters graduating from a national championship squad, it would be expected that the Spartans take a backseat and rebuild for another championship run in the near future. But with the 2000 USA Today Indiana High School Player of The Year, 6-foot-9 Zach Randolph and last year's Michigan Mr. Basketball Marcus Taylor contributing to a talented group of seniors, the Spartans will be right back in contention for a repeat. Their one loss came on a buzzer-beating shot at Indiana, otherwise the Spartans would still be undefeated heading into the middle of January.

Prediction: Final Four. No question.

No. 2: Illinois Fighting Illini (13-4, 3-1)

Stacked with enough talent that would present a challenge for the Washington Wizards, first-year Illinois head coach Bill Self's squad has the potential to make a serious title run come March.

Led by its big men Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams, the duo is averaging roughly 15 points per contest. Toss in Preseason Big Ten Player of Year Corey Bradford and Sergio McClain, who has been the force for the Illini so far this season, and Champaign has a lot to talk about.

Despite a loss to Iowa last week, McClain responded with his first triple-double in the win against Michigan.

Although Self entered the season knowing the expectations were high in Illinois he is confident with his team will not disappoint.

"I don't mind having the expectations being that high," he said. "There are expectations no matter where you go. I want winning not to be a relief, I want to it fun so we all can enjoy it."

Prediction: Illinois will meet up with Michigan State in the Final Four

No. 3: Iowa Hawkeyes (14-2, 3-0)

Iowa men's basketball coach Steve Alford has a squad in Iowa City that not many people know about. The Hawkeyes are the only undefeated team in the Big Ten and have the best one-two punch in the conference with guard Dean Oliver and Luke Recker. The guards are accompanied by a host of big brutes that know hows to screen opponents to give the Hawkeyes' shooters open shots. As long as Recker can stay healthy, Iowa can ride him deep into March.

Prediction: Alford's boys will be playing in late March

No. 4: Wisconsin Badgers (10-4, 1-3)

The Badgers came into conference play with a 9-1 record and have dropped three close conference matchups, with an overtime loss to defending national champions, Michigan State. Wisconsin's biggest loss came when former head coach Dick Bennett retired in late November because of health problems. However, interim head coach Brad Soderberg has stepped in and done a wonderful job keeping the Badgers on track. If Wisconsin can pull out some close conference games in the final minutes, the Badgers would be right in the thick of things in the Big Ten.

Prediction: Forget another Final Four, good Sweet 16 pick.

No. 5: Purdue Boilermakers (11-3, 3-1)

Gene Keady who is now the grandfather of the Big Ten has his squad in contention to get his Boilermakers back to the NCAA Tournament for the 17 time in his coaching career.

Despite losing four starters from last season's Elite Eight team the Boilermakers are receiving solid play from Rodney Smith and Kevin Lowe. Lowe had 15 points in the loss to Iowa and is tied for second in scoring.

While the Boilermakers do not have any potential All-Americans on their squad senior Carson Cunningham leads a potent Purdue defense that has been able to hold its opponents to just under 65 points per contest this season.

Prediction: Purdue will be dancing its way back to the Sweet 16, but it will get no farther.

No. 6: Penn State Nittany Lions (11-3, 2-2)

The sharp shooting from Joe Crispin leads the Lions solid perimeter attack back into the thick of the Big Ten this season. Crispin along his brother Jon and swingman Titus Ivory places a threat to its opposition every time the trio touches the ball. Although the Lions have a hard time matching up with many of their opponents inside the post, Penn State has done well against some of the better teams with wins over Temple and Kentucky. The Lions three losses are against Michigan State, Iowa and North Carolina State. Although they have played well in two of the three losses, Penn State has been unable to hold off the better teams like the Spartans and Hawkeye's down the stretch. If this were to continue this could spell trouble for Penn State when the Big Ten season wines down.

But if the Lions are to get into the Tournament, Crispin will need to carry on as he has this season and Penn State will need more production from its supporting cast.

Prediction: Lions will be back in the Tournament for the first time since 1996.

No. 7: Indiana Hoosiers (10-7, 1-2)

The Hoosiers have struggled early on, but working out the kinks of learning a new coach's system will do that to a team. Not only is head coach Mike Davis in his first year, but Indiana doesn't have one senior on the entire team. This is not the Hoosiers' year to shine, as they need another year or two to blossom into the traditional Indiana teams that the Bloomington faithful are used to. That is unfortunate for Davis, because his coaching will make some other school very happy, as the suits at Indiana will more than likely look for a new face at Indiana next season.

Prediction: Watching the tube after the conference tournament.

No. 8: Ohio State Buckeyes (11-5, 2-2)

Losing guards Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd really hurt the Buckeyes backcourt, as they still haven't found someone to consistently hit the 3-point shot. Ohio State heavily relies on their big man, 6-foot-11 senior Ken Johnson down low and contributions from other players to keep games close and hopefully win them in the final minutes. For this team to contend in the Big Ten and in any postseason tournament, the Buckeyes have to find someone on the outside, possibly guards Boban Savovic or Brian Brown to be a threat to conference opponents.

Prediction: Disappointing down the stretch

No. 9: Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-3, 1-2)

The Gophers are 13-3, but don't be surprised if their record is near .500 at the end of the Big Ten season. Minnesota's non-conference schedule was loaded with cupcakes and their toughest game against Georgetown, the Gophers got blown out by 16 points.

No matter how well the Gophers play this season, NCAA sanctions will not allow Minnesota to participate in any postseason play. The best thing the Gophers can do is make the Big Ten season interesting by upsetting some of the top teams. With the Final Four being played in Minneapolis this April, the Gophers will have a chance to get great seats.

Prediction: Minnesota's season ends at the Big Ten Tournament.

No. 10: Northwestern Wildcats (7-8, 0-4)

It's hard to believe that Northwestern has not won a game in conference because they are in almost every game they play.

In Saturday's loss to Penn State the Wildcats held a 12 point lead with just under nine minutes left in the game, but ended up losing in waning moments to the Nittany Lions.

"Northwestern is better than a lot of people give them credit for," Penn State guard Joe Crispin said after the game.

The Wildcats are not a flashy team and does not have the talent of a Michigan State or Iowa has, but they do move the ball well and find the open man easily.

First year head coach Bill Camody brought a similar style of Princeton basketball with him that allows his team to be in every ball game.

The Wildcats use a lot of backdoor passes and hit the open man that could surprise a lot of teams if they're not careful. Like they did against USC earlier in the year.

Prediction: Possible NIT bid maybe.

No. 11: Michigan Wolverines (7-7, 1-2)

At one time the Wolverines were a proud tradition that produced players that were destined for NBA riches. But the days Glen Rice, Chris Webber and Jalen Rose are gone.

Now the Wolverines are struggling just to get on some sort of winning streak. Michigan has dropped six of their seven losses by double digits. In a game earlier this season against Duke, the Wolverines got blown out by 43 points.

Although LaVell Blanchard might be the only bright spot on the team, by leading the Wolverines in scoring and in rebounds, Michigan does have two other players in averaging in double digits.

But the problem is not the offense, it's the defense that is having a hard time holding its opponents under 81 points.

Prediction: The Wolverines will be playing their last game this season in the Big Ten Tournament.