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Here is how the Big Ten has fared since the current NCAA Tournament format was
adopted in 1985:
The Big Ten has received 99 tournament bids in the 17 years of six-round play. This averages close to six bids (5.82) per year.
Exactly one-third of Big Ten entrants (33) have advanced to at least the Sweet 16. Overall, the Big Ten has comprised 12.1 percent of the total regional berths since 1985.
Twelve Big Ten teams have advanced to the Final Four in this era, including two each in 1989 (Michigan, Illinois), 1992 (Michigan,
Indiana), 1999 (Michigan State, Ohio State) and 2000 (Michigan State, Wisconsin). In those three seasons, the Big Ten has posted a 42-16
(.724) record in NCAA play. We'll forget for a moment the eggs the Big Ten has laid (ie: 1-6, 1995).
The 12 Big Ten Final Four slots have been occupied by seven different member schools. Michigan (1989, 1992, 1993) and Michigan State (1999,
2000, 2001) are "threepeats."
Three Big Ten members -- Indiana (1987), Michigan (1989) and Michigan State (2000) -- have won national championships since the tourney expanded. The "Fab Five" Wolverines also lost twice in the title game.
For depth, 1989 was the Big Ten's top year in the tourney. In addition to Final Four entries Michigan and Illinois, Minnesota and Indiana tagged along to the regionals (giving the Big Ten a quarter of the Sweet 16 field).
The most "overachieving" Big Ten team of this era is one that did not win a national championship. Michigan's all-frosh lineup of 1992 rode a No. 6 seed all the way to the championship game, where they fell to back-to-back titlist Duke. Michigan also far exceeded its reach with the '89 championship (as a No. 3 seed), and No. 8 Wisconsin went to the Final Four in 2000.
A pair of No. 1 seeds are notable Big Ten "underachievers." Michigan (1985, upset by Villanova) and Purdue (1996, taken down by Georgia) are the premature victims. It has long been this writer's opinion that the '96 Boilermakers were the weakest No. 1 seed of the 90's.
The Big Ten's overall NCAA winning percentage from 1985-2001 is .605 (147-96). Its "Bracketology Score" is 0.900, the first below average number we have seen from a major conference thus far. (Translation: NCAA games played divided by number of games conference members were seeded to play; average score equals 1.000).
Joe Lunardi is the resident "bracketologist" for ESPN.com. He may be reached at jlunardi@home.com.
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