Big Ten rules college basketball before Elite Eight even begins
Even if Michigan loses to Tennessee or Purdue loses to Arizona, the debate is over: The Big Ten is the best college basketball conference in 2026
There's a good chance -- entering the Elite Eight on Saturday -- that Arizona or Duke will win the national championship. Those two teams have been at the top of the sport all season. Let's say that happens.
Let's say Arizona or Duke lift the trophy in April in Indianapolis. Would that mean the Big Ten isn't the best college basketball conference in 2026? We don't think so.
We think the debate is already settled before a single shot is attempted in any Elite Eight game. We won't need the Final Four to resolve any arguments. This one has already been put to bed.
Four to one The Big Ten has four Elite Eight teams, and no other conference has more than one. The Big 12 has Arizona, the ACC has Duke, the Big East has UConn, and the SEC has Tennessee. If only by process of elimination, no other conference can claim what the Big Ten has: heavy, widespread representation in the Elite Eight, with at least one spot guaranteed in the Final Four.