With 12 games left on the Big Ten slate, the race for the regular-season crown is starting to take shape-and it's shaping up to be a five-horse sprint. Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, and yes, Nebraska, have all separated themselves from the pack. And while some of those names are familiar contenders, one stands out as a surprise: the Cornhuskers.
Fred Hoiberg has Nebraska playing some of the best basketball in the conference, and that’s not something we’ve often said this late in the season. The Huskers are the only undefeated team remaining in Big Ten play, a remarkable feat for a program that’s usually fighting to stay out of the basement. Hoiberg has turned things around in Lincoln, and with the way his team is playing, they’re not just participating in the title race-they’re helping define it.
Behind Nebraska, Michigan State, Michigan, Illinois, and Purdue all sit with a single conference loss. That logjam at the top sets the stage for a dramatic finish, where every game-and every remaining opponent-matters.
So who has the inside track to the Big Ten title? The answer might lie in the strength of schedule down the stretch.
According to Bart Torvik’s remaining conference strength of schedule (SOS) rankings, here’s how the contenders stack up:
- Purdue: 1st (toughest remaining schedule)
- Michigan: 2nd
- Illinois: 3rd
- Michigan State: 13th
- Nebraska: 14th (easiest remaining schedule)
That’s a big deal. While Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois are staring down the barrel of some brutal matchups, Nebraska and Michigan State have a much smoother road ahead. And when margins are this thin, that kind of scheduling advantage can be the difference between hanging a banner and watching someone else cut down the nets.
Let’s dive into the road games left for each of these five contenders:
Michigan State: Rutgers, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan
Michigan: Michigan State, Ohio State, Northwestern, Purdue, Illinois, Iowa
Purdue: Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern
Illinois: Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, USC, UCLA, Maryland
Nebraska: Minnesota, Michigan, Rutgers, Iowa, USC, UCLA
From that list, Nebraska clearly has the softest road slate. They’ll face only one currently ranked team away from home-and they’ve shown they can win in tough environments.
Michigan State’s road isn’t quite as smooth, but it’s close. The Spartans get four unranked opponents on the road, with only Purdue and Michigan presenting major challenges.
That’s a manageable path for a team that knows how to win in March-like environments.
On the flip side, Michigan, Purdue, and Illinois will have to navigate some serious landmines. Michigan’s road includes trips to Purdue and Illinois.
Purdue still has to visit Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio State. And Illinois?
They’ve got to go coast-to-coast, with road games at USC and UCLA, on top of showdowns with Purdue and Michigan State.
Now, let’s flip the equation and look at the home stretch-literally. Here’s how many ranked opponents each team has left at home, which also doubles as opportunities for Quad 1 wins:
- Illinois has a slightly easier home path, but not by much.
- Michigan State and Nebraska have a mix of winnable games and potential resume-builders.
- Purdue and Michigan will need to protect home court against some of the league’s best.
At this point in the season, Big Ten title contenders are expected to take care of business at home. It’s the road games that often separate the elite from the rest.
So, what does this all mean?
Nebraska, for all their recent struggles in past seasons, has the inside track. Their schedule sets them up to stay in control of their own destiny.
But here’s the catch: being the frontrunner is new territory for this group. They’re not used to being the hunted, and that target on their back is only going to get bigger.
Michigan State, meanwhile, is lurking. With a favorable schedule and a proven coach, they’re in a prime position to make a push. They may not be leading the pack today, but don’t be surprised if they’re the ones holding the trophy in March.
The next two months are going to be a grind. Every possession will matter.
And with five teams still in the hunt, the Big Ten title race is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in years. Buckle up.