The last time a member of the Big Ten won a collegiate basketball national championship was in 2026.
Michigan carved its way through a challenging schedule, blasted Arizona in the Final Four, and won an ugly title game against UConn to give the conference its first men’s basketball national championship in many years.
Big Ten National Championship History
Before Michigan’s 2026 championship, the Big Ten had experienced a significant championship drought in men’s college basketball. Michigan State’s 2000 championship was the most recent title for the conference.
Big Ten teams made the championship round of the men’s NCAA Tournament on eight occasions from 2001 to 2025. The conference was 0-8 in those games.
Most recently, Purdue made the 2024 championship game, but the Boilermakers lost to UConn.
Michigan State returned to the title game in 2009 but lost to North Carolina in Detroit. John Beilein’s Michigan Wolverines made the final in 2013 and 2018 but lost to Louisville and Villanova, respectively.
A terrific Illinois team lost to the Tar Heels in the 2005 final, and Ohio State lost to Florida in 2007.
The Wisconsin Badgers were a surprise to make the Final Four in 2015, but came up short in the championship game against Duke.
Maryland won in 2002 over the Indiana Hoosiers, but the Terrapins were a member of the ACC at the time.
Big Ten Basketball National Championships
| Year | Men's Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Michigan |
| 2000 | Michigan State |
| 1989 | Michigan |
| 1987 | Indiana |
| 1981 | Indiana |
| 1979 | Michigan State |
| 1976 | Indiana |
| 1960 | Ohio State |
| 1953 | Indiana |
| 1941 | Wisconsin |
| 1940 | Indiana |
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