Minnesota
Record: 15-10, 8-6 Big Ten
Season Overview: Mired in a major academic scandal just three seasons ago, the Golden Gophers are rebuilding quite nicely. Led by freshman Rick Rickert, Minnesota was in contention for the Big Ten regular season title until late February.
Postseason Aspirations: After losing three straight games, the Bubble would have surely burst had Penn State held on for the upset on Saturday. Though still a long shot, closing the season with wins over Illinois and Northwestern, coupled with a good showing in Indianapolis, could get the Gophers in.
Big Ten Tournament Outlook: Conventional logic wouldn't give Minnesota much of a chance, but as it stands at the moment, the Gophers sit in the comfortable No. 6 seed spot. That would mean a favorable draw of Penn State and Wisconsin en route to the semifinals.
Michigan State
Record: 18-10, 9-6
Season Overview: Tom Izzo's team began the season ranked No. 12 in the country, but those expectations were based on past performance alone. The Spartans gradually fell from the rankings and many were wondering if the streak of three consecutive Final Fours would end on Selection Sunday. But the Spartans have re-grouped and won 9 of 12, including wins over Big Ten co-leaders Ohio State and Indiana.
Postseason Aspirations: Left for dead at the end of January, the Spartans all of a sudden look like a solid bet for a NCAA berth. Tuesday's win at Ohio State should seal the deal, but if not, beating Iowa in the season finale coupled with one victory in Indianapolis should have them dancing.
Big Ten Tournament Outlook: The young but talented Spartans are clearly peaking at the right time. Although not necessarily the tournament favorites, no one would be shocked if they come away Big Ten champions.
Illinois
Record: 22-7, 10-5
Season Overview: Ranked No. 2 nationally to start the season, Illinois was looked at as being a serious disappointment on Feb. 4 when it had a sub-.500 conference record. But Coach Bill Self has turned his team around and the Illini have won seven straight, including Tuesday's defeat of Indiana.
Postseason Aspirations: Illinois might be the only Big Ten team that can lose out and still make the NCAA Tournament. Twenty-two wins, a winning conference record and a No. 17 RPI would prompt a scandal of Olympic figure skating proportions to keep them out.
Big Ten Tournament Outlook: Illinois began the season as the Big Ten's best team and may be ending it the same way. The Illini have to be considered the favorite to be cutting down the nets in Indianapolis.
Wisconsin
Record: 17-11, 10-5
Season Overview: Like Indiana, Wisconsin struggled in November and December but has really turned it on in league play. Coach Bo Ryan molded his team into overachievers in time for the Big Ten season.
Postseason Aspirations: The loss to Penn State is an absolute killer when it comes to the computer rankings. A No. 48 RPI makes the NCAA Tournament outlook bleak. Yet it would be hard to envision an 11-5 Big Ten team not being invited. The Badgers absolutely must win the season finale at home over Michigan and then probably will need a Big Ten tournament win to avoid a nervous Selection Sunday.
Big Ten Tournament Outlook: Are the Badgers are the bumbling team that lost to Weber State, Penn State and Georgia Tech, or the polished machine that beat Indiana, Illinois and Ohio State? Which Wisconsin team shows up in Indianapolis will determine how far the Badgers go.
Ohio State
Record: 19-7, 10-5
Season Overview: Ohio State has been one of the league's pleasant surprises. At one point the Buckeyes were 15-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in the Big Ten. Since then, however, they are only 4-5 as the grind of the conference schedule is catching up to them.
Postseason Aspirations: The Buckeyes appear to have a bid locked up. Even a total collapse (punctuated by a loss at Michigan Saturday) shouldn't make their RPI suffer enough to keep Ohio State away from March Madness.
Big Ten Tournament Outlook: The Buckeyes might very well end up being the top seed, yet have no one expect them to win it. That should suit Coach Jim O'Brien just fine, as Ohio State has surprised people all season long.
Indiana
Record: 18-10, 10-5
Season Overview: A 9-5 non-conference start — including losses to Southern Illinois and Butler (for the Hoosiers' first-ever loss in their own Hoosier Classic tournament) — had many Hoosier fans lamenting the decision to retain Mike Davis as coach. But the Big Ten season has turned Davis into a conference coach of the year candidate. Postseason Aspirations: Despite a double-digit loss total, the Hoosiers will make the tournament based on a No. 13 RPI ranking — a number bolstered by a non-conference schedule that included Marquette, Texas, Kentucky and Louisville.
Big Ten Tournament Outlook: Jared Jeffries might be the best all-around player in the league, and the Hoosiers have been near the top of the Big Ten all season. But that consistency might not be enough against an Illinois or a Michigan State, who are playing their best basketball entering the tournament.
