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College Basketball: Big 10 teams ranked by success since 2000

By Daniel

Mar 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice (24) and head coach John Groce during the second half in the first round of the Big Ten college basketball tournament against the Indiana Hoosiers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illinois guard Rayvonte Rice (24) and head coach John Groce during the second half in the first round of the Big Ten college basketball tournament against the Indiana Hoosiers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Andre Hollins (1) celebrates with head coach Richard Pitino after defeating the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the 2014 NIT Tournament championship game at Madison Square Garden. The Golden Gophers won 65-63. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Andre Hollins (1) celebrates with head coach Richard Pitino after defeating the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the 2014 NIT Tournament championship game at Madison Square Garden. The Golden Gophers won 65-63. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

13. (TIE) Northwestern: 0 Points

The Wildcats are always seemingly on the cusp of turning the corner as a program and making the NCAA tournament, but they just can’t quite do it. They’re a relatively competitive Big Ten team, at least at home, but haven’t added much to the conference in basketball prestige since the 1930s.

Best Season: 2010-11 (20-14, reached the NIT Quarterfinals)

Top Coach of the Era: Bill Carmody (2000-2013)

Top Player of the Era: John Shurna (2008-2012)

13. (TIE) Rutgers: 0 Points

One of the two newcomers to the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights,come without bringing much basketball success. Rutgers comes from the Big East where it didn’t do much of anything since the early 1990s (when it was in the Atlantic 10). Will the Scarlet Knights find more success on the hardwood in a tough conference such as the Big Ten? We will soon find out.

Best Season: 2003-04 (20-13, NIT runner-up)

Top Coach of the Era: Gary Waters (2001-2006)

Top Player of the Era: Quincy Douby (2003-2006

12. Nebraska: 2 Points

The Cornhuskers are a program on the rise in the Big Ten. They’re led by a lethal scoring guard/forward Terran Petteway. Their new arena, Pinnacle Bank Arena, is a great environment and Nebraska made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008 a year ago. Look for them to continue to add points over the coming years.

Best Season: 2013-14 (19-13, reached NCAA Tournament)

Top Coach of the Era: Tim Miles (2012-Present)

Top Player of the Era: Terran Petteway (2012-Present)

11. Penn State: 7 Points

Penn State has seen a little bit of success over the last 15 years, but it is still not anywhere close to one of the Big Ten’s elite basketball programs. The Nittany Lions are a relatively tough team to beat at home, though. Despite the fact that they’re currently going through a rough stretch as a program.

Best Season: 2000-01 (21-12, reached Sweet Sixteen)

Top Coach of the Era: Jerry Dunn (1995-2003)

Top Player of the Era: Talor Battle (2007-2011)

10. Minnesota: 8 Points

The Golden Gophers are a program that is always just about there, but they can’t take that next step. They play in one of the most historic venues in college basketball, “The Barn”, and routinely recruit fairly well. They won the NIT last year, but will they be able to become an even better program over the next few years? A lot of people in the Twin Cities and beyond sure hope they do.

Best Season: 2012-13 (21-13, reached round of 32)

Top Coach of the Era: Tubby Smith (2007-2013)

Top Player of the Era: Vincent Grier (2004-2006)