The Big Ten Conference projects as the deepest conference top-to-bottom in 2026-27, with seven teams projecting a positive scoring margin and an average margin of +6.2 across the conference.
The Big Ten Conference enters 2026-27 as the deepest conference top-to-bottom in college basketball, with seven programs projecting a positive scoring margin and an average margin of +6.2 across all 18 conference members — the highest average of any Power 5 conference.
The conference's depth is driven by its top programs (Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State) but extends further down the standings than any other conference. Even the projected 10th-place team in the Big Ten projects at +2.1 scoring margin — a number that would rank in the top 40 nationally.
The Big Ten's expansion to 18 teams has created scheduling challenges but also elevated the conference's overall quality. Programs that previously played in weaker conferences now face Big Ten competition weekly, accelerating their development.
BasketBoss projects the Big Ten to send seven teams to the 2027 NCAA Tournament — the most of any conference. Purdue is the projected No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, with Indiana and Michigan State both projected as No. 3 seeds.
The conference's biggest weakness is at the top: no Big Ten team projects in the top 5 nationally by scoring margin, meaning the conference's best chance at a national championship comes from a team peaking at the right time rather than dominating the regular season.