The last time a member of the Big Ten won a collegiate basketball national championship was in 2000 when the Michigan State Spartans knocked off the Florida Gators in Indianapolis.
Tom Izzo’s Spartans were led by Mateen Cleaves and a group of players from Flint, Michigan, known as the “Flintstones.” The conference has had many excellent teams since then but has failed to capture the ultimate prize.
Big Ten National Championship History
The Big Ten has made the final game on eight occasions since 2000, going 0-8.
Most recently, Purdue made the 2024 championship game, but the Boilermakers lost to UConn.
The Michigan State Spartans returned to the title game in 2009 but lost in Detroit to North Carolina. 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 North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2005 final, and the Ohio State Buckeyes 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 the Duke Blue Devils.
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 |
|---|---|
| 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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