Big Ten Conference

East

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan

Men’s Basketball

Big Ten

Michigan Wolverines Men's Basketball team

2026 NBA DRAFT HIGHLIGHTS: C Aday Mara | Michigan Men's Basketball

2026 NBA DRAFT HIGHLIGHTS: C Aday Mara | Michigan Men's Basketball (mE0lclfkerw)

West

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers Men's Basketball team

2026 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: G Andrew Rohde | Wisconsin Men's Basketball

2026 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: G Andrew Rohde | Wisconsin Men's Basketball (2ITqfjGP1Pc)

Big Ten Men's Basketball Players Returning for the Upcoming Season | B1G Today

Big Ten Men's Basketball Players Returning for the Upcoming Season | B1G Today (lvn_KjVqP80)

2026 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: G Braeden Carrington | Wisconsin Men's Basketball

2026 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: G Braeden Carrington | Wisconsin Men's Basketball (eAwbFii0Wyc)

Washington Huskies

Washington

Washington Huskies Men's Basketball team

2026 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: C Franck Kepnang | Washington Men's Basketball

2026 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: C Franck Kepnang | Washington Men's Basketball (jAI8pwoJoxA)

Tonje vs. Boyd | Badger Guards Stats | Wisconsin Basketball

Tonje vs. Boyd | Badger Guards Stats | Wisconsin Basketball (NztIgZs7pGc)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men's Basketball team

Dylan Harper in the NBA FInals | Rutgers Basketball | San Antonio Spurs

Dylan Harper in the NBA FInals | Rutgers Basketball | San Antonio Spurs (203NaqTDP5c)

Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana

Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball team

Looking at OG Anunoby in the NBA Finals | New York Knicks | Indiana Basketball

Looking at OG Anunoby in the NBA Finals | New York Knicks | Indiana Basketball (jbX39A5V77A)

Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Basketball team

Illinois basketball eyes another Final Four run | Big Ten Basketball

Illinois basketball eyes another Final Four run | Big Ten Basketball (m5RNeU1F15Y)

Michigan's championship run and NBA Draft hopes | Big Ten Basketball

Michigan's championship run and NBA Draft hopes | Big Ten Basketball (10P6FJAUmlg)

Washington Men's Basketball

𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗗‼️ @madytraore08 is loose! https://t.co/MRaupfRL4I

Tweet 2078266430274052272

Michigan State Men's Basketball

Michigan State

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Michigan State Men's Basketball(57422635)

Illinois Men's Basketball

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Illinois Men's Basketball(40941404)

UCLA Men's Basketball

UCLA

Summer 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 with Tyler Bilodeau. 

#NBABruins | @BrooklynNets 🏀💪 https://t.co/nMnYr9HslN

Tweet 2078223541804367986

USC Men's Basketball

Southern California

From the DMV to DTLA, @rodneyrice__ has found a home at USC ✌️ https://t.co/4hIjOPWshf

Tweet 2078212255146250250

Wisconsin Basketball

Driven by tradition. Legacy lives here. 

Wisconsin Men's Basketball season tickets are on sale now!  

Lock in your seats for the season: https://t.co/CUlF9OEvnB https://t.co/dXFqaOtSw6

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Wisconsin Basketball(22815383)

Oregon Men's Basketball

Oregon

Ducks reunited at @NBASummerLeague. #GoDucks https://t.co/jJfiRY7ciW

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Big Ten Men's Basketball

Kalin Lucas is one of countless standout PGs in @MSU_Basketball history 🤩

This fall, the 2009 @bigten POY will be inducted into the @MSU_Athletics Hall of Fame. https://t.co/7KMeIQtqAp

Tweet 2078183288884093324

🚂 Purdue Men's Basketball

Purdue

✅ Week’s work is done. 

One week to Canada. https://t.co/7qzljMZ0Ii

Tweet 2078160610466951300

🚂 Purdue Men's Basketball(454122399)

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲, Coach Cronin! 

#GoBruins 🏀🥳🎂 https://t.co/hRsu5xb7th

Tweet 2078129514153120215

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/2026%20Distinguished%20Scholar%20Recipients-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Full Distinguished Scholar Recipient List
 </a>    ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that 1,926 students on varsity rosters have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes students from all 18 institutions, plus Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame and 41 sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.    The 2025-26 class of Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients includes 350 students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic year, represented in bold on the official list.    Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student's academic career.     A complete list of the 2025-26 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipients can be found above.    </div>

Distinguished Scholar 2025-26

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Big Ten Recognizes 2025-26 Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients 

<div class="payload-richtext">PORTLAND, Ore. - As the sun set over the rolling hills of Cooper Mountain Vineyards on Saturday evening, “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest” concluded its immersive educational experience where student-athletes from all 18 Big Ten institutions learned firsthand about the rich culture and history of the Pacific Northwest.   Over the course of less than 48 hours, over 175 student-athletes and administrators engaged in programming that included visits to Multnomah Falls, the Oregon Historical Society, the Grande Ronde Reservation, and Cooper Mountain Vineyards. The event brought together participants from all 18 Big Ten institutions, creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and relationship-building among student-athletes from across the conference.    “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest was a remarkable experience that allowed attendees to better understand and interact with the history, culture, landscape, and people that give the Pacific Northwest its distinct identity,” said Big Ten Chief Operating Officer Kerry Kenny. “The unique opportunity to connect student-athletes from across the country to an immersive experience outside of their traditional element is what distinguishes the Big Ten in preparing these young men and women for life after campus.”    At the Oregon Historical Society on Saturday morning, student-athletes learned about how Oregon became the state it is today, including the often-untold Black, Native American, and Japanese history that has shaped the state. Participants also toured the Yasui Family exhibit, learning about the challenges Japanese Americans faced during World War II and the advocacy efforts that helped advance civil rights in the decades that followed.    The quote on the back of the Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest T-shirt: “What is done to the least of us can be done to all of us” was from Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Minori Yasui.    “I found his bravery in speaking out about these issues incredible,” said Indiana women’s track & field sprinter Kristina Vincic. “Having a voice isn’t an easy thing and it takes time to build one. That’s something we can definitely tie in to our teams.”     After learning about Native American history at the Oregon Historical Society, participants experienced its living impact firsthand at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Veterans Powwow. Student-athletes learned about the traditional longhouse, witnessed cultural traditions, and took part in the Grand Entry ceremony.  Often competitors on the field, student-athletes joined together to dance with members of the Grande Ronde Confederation and in honoring Veterans. For many student-athletes, it is the moment they said they will remember most about the trip.    “It was beautiful seeing the tradition unfold right before my eyes and getting involved with it,” said Penn State football student-athlete Armstrong Nnodim. “As athletes we get caught up in the competitive world, so to come here and bond with everyone from different backgrounds was amazing.”   Launched in 2022, the Big Life Series is part of the Big Ten’s commitment to providing educational and developmental opportunities beyond competition. The Pacific Northwest program represented the latest installment of the initiative, connecting student-athletes with the people, places, and histories that shape communities throughout the conference’s expanded footprint. For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes who participated in “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.boostsport.ai%2Fboost-cms%2FBig%2520Life%2520Series%2520-%2520PNW%2520Particpant%2520List.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cmbeck%40bigten.org%7Cd0617ab4c96a4bf79db008dedc36f22d%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C639190325738707341%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GjLuIJk14zxzwkzs%2F2YwIayNyP0Z%2BMluB6cv5PAsGcA%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here
 </a>. </div>

Big Ten takes on the spirit of the Pacific Northwest at the Oregon Historical Society

Big Life Series Showcases the Spirit of the Pacific Northwest

Boynton Hire MICH 071126

Boynton Jr. Named Head Coach of Men's Basketball Program (071126)

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. - As part of the “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, the Big Ten will host over 150 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from all 18 Big Ten schools in Portland, Ore. from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12. The program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the region’s rich history, culture and communities through an immersive educational experience.   Programming will begin Friday evening with a nature walk through Multnomah Falls to showcase the region’s deep ties to nature and the history of the Pacific Northwest landscape.    On Saturday, student-athletes will visit the Oregon Historical Society and have the chance to learn about the Japanese American West Coast experience and hear firsthand from a member of the Oregon Black Pioneers. Through discussions centered on resilience, community, and historical impact, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the individuals and stories that have shaped the Pacific Northwest.    The group will then travel to the Grand Ronde Reservation for a Veterans Powwow, which will provide an opportunity to engage with living cultural traditions and better understand the history, values and contributions of the Native American communities across the region.   The evening will conclude with a dinner at Cooper Mountain Vineyard, where student-athletes will have a hands-on discussion about the agricultural history of the region and the grape-growing operation.   The Big Life series is an immersive educational experience started in 2022 that focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. With trips to Selma, Alabama; Mount Vernon, Iowa; and Portland, Oregon attendees learn about the historical and cultural significance of the region. Since its inception, over 500 students-athletes have participated in these programs. Along with the educational component of the experience, the Big Ten uses these trips to leave a lasting impact in the communities it visits.  For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes attending “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.boostsport.ai%2Fboost-cms%2FBig%2520Life%2520Series%2520-%2520PNW%2520Particpant%2520List.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Cmbeck%40bigten.org%7Cd0617ab4c96a4bf79db008dedc36f22d%7C5c35f07cce5e4fa582baa44898424550%7C1%7C0%7C639190325738707341%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GjLuIJk14zxzwkzs%2F2YwIayNyP0Z%2BMluB6cv5PAsGcA%3D&reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 here
 </a>.   </div>

Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest

Big Life Series Heads to the Pacific Northwest

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – Eleven former Big Ten student-athletes were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, held on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.This marks the fourth time in the last five years that at least 10 Big Ten players have been selected in the NBA Draft. Since 2013, every NBA Draft except 2024, has included at least eight Big Ten players.The 10 selections included six players drafted in Tuesday’s first round, marking the third time in the last four years that at least five Big Ten players have been selected in the draft’s opening round.Big Ten Freshman of the Year Keaton Wagler from Illinois was selected No. 5 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the second-highest draft pick ever at Illinois and the highest since Deron Williams went No. 3 overall in 2005.Michigan became the fifth program in NBA Draft history to produce at least three lottery selections in a single draft since the lottery expanded to 14 picks in 2004, as Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara were selected No. 9, No. 11, and No. 12, respectively. Michigan matched a program record with three first-round selections in the same draft, equaling the 1990 NBA Draft.Washington freshman Hannes Steinbach came off the board at No. 14, selected by the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the highest drafted Husky since Markelle Fultz was drafted first overall in 2017.The Memphis Grizzlies selected Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz No. 16 overall before trading him to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Stirtz becomes the 12th Hawkeye taken in the first round, and just the third point guard, joining Ronnie Lester and B.J. Armstrong.Bruce Thornton, the only four-time captain in Ohio State men’s basketball history, was the first selection of the second round, selected by the New York Knicks before being traded to the Houston Rockets.Purdue’s Braden Smith, the NCAA’s career assist leader, was selected 38th by the Chicago Bulls and subsequently traded to the Indiana Pacers. Teammate Trey Kaufman-Renn heard his name called at No. 59, as the former Boilermaker was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is the first time two Boilermakers have been taken in the same draft since 2011.Tyler Bilodeau became the sixth UCLA Bruin taken in the draft since 2022 when his name was called by the Brookly Nets at No. 43.Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli will join Wagler in Los Angeles, as the former Wildcat was drafted No. 55 overall by the Knicks and traded to the Clippers, marking the second consecutive year a Northwestern player has been selected.For a complete list of 2026 NBA Draft picks, please <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/2026-nba-draft-order">
 click here
 </a>.2026 NBA Draft - Big Ten Draft Selections 5. Keaton Wagler, ILL – Los Angeles Clippers 9. Morez Johnson Jr., MICH – Dallas Mavericks 11. Yaxel Lendeborg, MICH – Golden State Warriors 12. Aday Mara, MICH – Oklahoma City Thunder 14. Hannes Steinbach, WASH – Charlotte Hornets 16. Bennett Stirtz, IOWA – Memphis Grizzlies (Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder) 31. Bruce Thornton, OSU – New York Knicks (Traded to Houston Rockets) 38. Braden Smith, PUR – Chicago Bulls (Traded to Indiana Pacers) 43. Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA – Brooklyn Nets 55. Nick Martinelli, NU – New York Knicks (Traded to Los Angeles Clippers) 59. Trey Kaufman-Renn, PUR – Minnesota Timberwolves </div>

2026 NBA Draft

Big Ten Nets 11 NBA Draft Selections (062426)

Mark Jackson NU AD

Mark Jackson Named to NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Selection Committee (061126)

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference has announced the breakdown of conference opponents for all 18 schools for the 2026-27 men’s basketball season. Each member institution will play a 20-game conference schedule, playing three schools both home and away, while facing 14 teams once. Of the single-play opponents, member institutions will play seven at home and seven on the road.The complete list of Big Ten Conference single-play and repeat opponents is below. Game dates, times, and television information will be announced at a later date.   ILLINOIS Home: Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA, USC Away: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington Home/Away: Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin INDIANA Home: Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC Away: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin   Home/Away: Maryland, Northwestern, Purdue IOWA Home: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Washington Away: Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC Home/Away: Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin MARYLAND Home: Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin Away: Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington Home/Away: Indiana, Michigan State, Rutgers MICHIGAN Home: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Northwestern, Oregon, Purdue, Washington Away: Indiana, Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin Home/Away: Minnesota, Michigan State, Ohio StateMICHIGAN STATE Home: Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington, Wisconsin Away: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State, UCLA, USC Home/Away: Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska MINNESOTA Home: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington Away: Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers, UCLA, USC Home/Away: Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin NEBRASKA Home: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC Away: Illinois, Maryland, Northwestern, Oregon, Purdue, Washington, Wisconsin Home/Away: Iowa, Michigan State, Penn State NORTHWESTERN Home: Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin Away: Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington Home/Away: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota OHIO STATE Home: Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Oregon, Rutgers, Washington, Wisconsin Away: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue, UCLA, USC Home/Away: Iowa, Michigan, Penn State OREGON Home: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers Away: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin Home/Away: UCLA, USC, WashingtonPENN STATE Home: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon, Purdue, Washington Away: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin Home/Away: Nebraska, Ohio State, RutgersPURDUE Home: Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, UCLA, USC Away: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin Home/Away: Illinois, Indiana, Rutgers RUTGERS Home: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, Wisconsin Away: Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Washington Home/Away: Maryland, Penn State, PurdueUCLA Home: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers Home/Away: Oregon, USC, WashingtonUSC Home: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin Away: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers Home/Away: Oregon, UCLA, WashingtonWASHINGTON Home: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers Away: Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin Home/Away: Oregon, UCLA, USC WISCONSIN Home: Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington Away: Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC Home/Away: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota</div>

2026-27 B1G Opponents

Big Ten Conference Announces 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Opponents  (051226)

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – A pair of Big Ten men’s basketball student-athletes was honored on Tuesday, as the College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its 2025-26 Academic All-America men’s basketball teams.Nebraska’s Sam Hoiberg and Northwestern’s Nick Martinelli were named to the First Team.Hoiberg, who graduated in December with a degree in sports media and communications,  is the first Husker men’s basketball player to earn first-team Academic All-America honors since Shavon Shields in 2015 and 2016 and the 10th Academic All-American award earned by a Husker basketball player, the first since Kobe Webster scored third-team honors in 2021. Sam’s selection is a rare father-son accomplishment, as his father, Fred, was a first-team Academic All-American at Iowa State in 1995.A four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Hoiberg led Nebraska to its most successful season in program history, as the Huskers finished 28-7 record and the program’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2025-26. He started all 35 games, averaging 9.3 points, 4.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, as he was second in the Big Ten in steals and eighth in assists per game. He set a school record and finished ninth nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.74-to-1) as a senior. This marks the second consecutive Academic All-America First Team honor for Martinelli, who joins Shon Morris as the only Wildcats to claim First Team Academic All-America honors in consecutive seasons. The Communications Studies major is the fifth Northwestern player to receive first team honors, joining Drew Crawford (2014), Mike Campbell (1980), Jim Burns (1967) and Morris. He becomes the 14th Big Ten player to earn First Team Academic All-America recognition in consecutive years since the honor began in 1963.Martinelli concluded his collegiate career by leading the Big Ten in scoring for the second consecutive season. The All-Big Ten Second Team honoree averaged 23.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 51.0% from the floor and 41.7% from beyond the arc. Martinelli's 23.0 points ranked eighth in the nation and were the most points per game by a Northwestern player since the 1969-70 season. The Glenview, Ill. native scored a program-record 759 total points on the season, the 15th-most in a single season by a Big Ten player, and made a program-record 268 field goals.Click here to view a complete list of the <a href="https://academicallamerica.com/news/2026/4/10/2025-26-academic-all-america-mens-basketball-teams-announced-for-all-ncaa-and-naia-divisions.aspx">
 2026 CSC Academic All-America Men's Basketball Teams
 </a>. </div>

CSC Academic All-America Logo.png

Big Ten Duo Named to Academic All-America First Team (041526)

Michigan MBB Champions 040626

Wolverines Triumph Over Huskies to Win Second National Championship (040626)

NCAA MBB Postseason Graphic

2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Central

Mara MICH 030426

U-M Dominates No. 2 Arizona, Advances to First NCAA Tournament Title Game Since 2018 (040326)

NEB Hoiberg AP COY

Nebraska's Hoiberg Named AP National Coach of the Year

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/">
 BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL  
 </a>  •  <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/stats/">
   BIG TEN STATISTICS  
 </a>  •  <a href="https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings?sport_code=MBB&division=1">
    NCAA STATISTICS
 </a> <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/schedule/">
 BIG TEN SCHEDULE & RESULTS  
 </a>  •  <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/standings/">
   BIG TEN STANDINGS
 </a> <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">
 NCAA AP TOP 25 POLL  
 </a>  •  <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/basketball/ncaab/coaches-poll#gnt-rf">
   NCAA USA TODAY TOP 25 POLL
 </a> <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/article/59648/">
 MEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON CENTRAL
 </a><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Big-Ten-MBB-Weekly-Release-040126-Final2.pdf">
 WEEKLY RELEASE - APRIL 1
 </a>Big Ten. Big News.<ul class="list-bullet"><li
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 >For the ninth time in NCAA Tournament history, two Big Ten teams have advanced to the NCAA Final Four. No. 3 seed Illinois will face No. 2 seed Connecticut at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, while No. 1 seeds Michigan and Arizona to meet in the nightcap. This is the first time two Big Ten teams have reached the national semifinal since Michigan State and Wisconsin appeared in the 2015 Final Four.</li><li
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 >Dating back to the first NCAA Tournament in 1939, the Big Ten has made 51 appearances in the Final Four, tying the ACC for the most of any conference. This will be the sixth appearance for Illinois and the first for head coach Brad Underwood, while Michigan will make its ninth appearance. This is also the second Final Four for Michigan head coach Dusty May, who took Florida Atlantic to the semifinal in 2023.</li><li
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 >Illinois secured its place in Saturday’s national semifinal with a 71-59 win over Big Ten rival Iowa in Saturday’s South Region final. Freshman Keaton Wagler was named Region Most Outstanding Player after scoring a game-high 25 points, while classmate Andrej Stojakovic added 17 points. After a 51-51 deadlock with 7:14 remaining, the Illini outscored the Hawkeyes 20-8 to run away with the win. Iowa did not score in the final two minutes, while Illinois finished on an 8-0 run.</li><li
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 >Michigan advanced to the Final Four after scoring a 95-62 win over No. 6 seed Tennessee in Sunday’s Midwest Region final in Chicago. Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player Yaxel Lendeborg paced the Wolverines with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a pair of blocked shots to lead seven players with at least eight points. Michigan cruised through the Midwest regional, winning its four games by an average of 22.5 points. </li><li
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 >Ten Big Ten players were named to their respective NCAA Tournament All-Regional Teams after this weekend’s regional championships. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Midwest Region and was joined on the team by Elliot Cadeau and Roddy Gayle Jr. Likewise, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler claimed Most Outstanding Player honors in the South Region. Wagler was joined by teammates Andrej Stojakovich and David Markovic, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz, and Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort. Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith were also selected to the All-West Region Team.</li><li
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 >Two Big Ten teams, Minnesota and Rutgers, will begin their postseasons on Wednesday, and Thursday, respectively, as both have been selected to compete in the College Basketball Crown. The single elimination eight team tournament, which takes place Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5. Winners from Wednesday and Thursday’s first round games will meet in Saturday’s semifinal round (1:30 p.m./4 p.m. ET), with the championship slated for 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. Games on Wednesday and Thursday will air on FS1, with the semifinals and final slated to air on FOX.</li><li
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 >Minnesota will begin its tournament on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET, when it faces Baylor in the first-ever matchup of the two teams. The contest will air on FS1 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Wednesday’s game will mark the Golden Gophers’ first postseason action since the 2024 National Invitation Tournament. Senior Cade Tyson, who was recently named to the NABC All-District Second Team, leads Minnesota with 16.9 points per game, sixth in the Big Ten.</li><li
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 >Rutgers will make its first postseason appearance since the 2023 National Invitation Tournament on Thursday, when it faces Creighton. Tip is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Winners of five of their last eight games, the Scarlet Knights will look to senior Tariq Francis, who leads the team with 16.9 points and 2.9 assists per game.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="9"
 >On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Athletic Club included four Big Ten players as it announced its 2026 All-American Team and the top five finalist for the Wooden Award. Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., and Purdue’s Braden Smith collected four of the 10 spots on the All-America Team, while Lendeborg and Smith were named as two of the Wooden Award’s five finalists. The Wooden Award winner will be announced next week. </li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="10"
 >A pair of Big Ten teams were represented as the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the finalists for the 2026awards. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was one of four finalists for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy, joining Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas), Cameron Boozer (Duke), and AJ Dybantsa (BYU). Michigan head coach Dusty May and Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg also joined Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Duke’s Jon Scheyer as the four finalists for the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="11"
 >Illinois and Michigan became the second and third Big Ten teams to win every regional game by at least 10 points. Prior to this season, the only Big Ten team to accomplish the feat was the 2000 Michigan State Spartans.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="12"
 >The Big Ten has achieved unprecedented success in this year’s NCAA Tournament. The conference tied a league record with nine teams selected to participate in the tournament then tied an NCAA record with four teams advancing to the Elite Eight, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and Purdue. The conference has also amassed 19 victories in the tournament, the most since the league earned 14 wins in 2013. Among those wins, eight have been more than 20 points, the most by any single conference in tournament history.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="13"
 >CBS Sports and TNT Sports have posted record viewership through Sunday’s Elite Eight round. The 2026 tournament is the most-watched tournament since 1993, averaging 10.3 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV through the Elite Eight. The Sweet 16 early primetime window, which included the Michigan-Alabama game, averaged 14.2 million viewers, the largest viewership for that window since 1992. It has produced record-setting audiences, with the most-watched first round ever (9.5 million viewers) and the most watched second round since 1993 (11 million viewers). Thursday’s first round primetime window, including the Michigan-Howard game, averaged 12.5 million viewers, the most watched first round window ever, while Sunday’s early primetime window, which included the Iowa-Florida matchup) boasted 19.7 million viewers, the most watched window first week window in tournament history.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="14"
 >In Purdue’s first round tournament win over Queens, Purdue senior Braden Smith became the NCAA all-time leader in career assists, with his second assist of the victory vaulting Smith past Duke great Bobby Hurley’s 1,076 mark (1990-93). Smith closed his career with 1,103 career assists. Smith also recorded 5,067 minutes played in 149 career NCAA Tournament games, breaking Lionel Simmons’ mark of 5,045 (1987-90).</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="15"
 >The Boilermakers claimed their third Big Ten Tournament title with an 80-72 win over top seed Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago. The number seven seeded Boilermakers were led by Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, who combined for 41 points, while Jim and Kitty Delany Most Outstanding Player Braden Smith paired 14 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Smith was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Michigan’s Aday Mara, Cluff, and Wisconsin’s John Blackwell, and John Boyd.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="16"
 >The Purdue-Michigan Big Ten championship game averaged 4.716 million viewers for CBS, its largest viewing audience for the Big Ten Championship game since Ohio State-Wisconsin in 2013. The audience peaked at 6.207 million viewers, making it the most-watched conference championship game on any network in the last 30 years.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="17"
 >Michigan scored its 16th Big Ten championship, closing the regular season with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play. The 19 conference victories are the most in Big Ten history, besting the 18 wins by the 1974-75 and 1975-76 Indiana teams. The Wolverines (10-0) also joined the 1975-76 Hoosiers (9-0) as the only teams to go undefeated on the road.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="18"
 >The Big Ten recently announced its 2026 All-Big Ten Teams and awards. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was named Player of the Year by both the coaches and media panel. Fellow Wolverine Aday Mara was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Illinois’ Keaton Wagler claimed Freshman of the Year honors. Nebraska’s Braden Frager claimed Sixth Man of the Year accolades. Wisconsin assistant coach Sharif Chambliss was named Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year, with Michigan’s Dusty May and Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg earning Coach of the Year recognition from the media and coaches, respectively. </li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="19"
 >The Big Ten opened NCAA Tournament play with six teams ranked in both the AP and USA Today/Coaches polls. Michigan leads the way on both listings at No. 3. In the AP poll, the Wolverines are followed by No. 8 Purdue, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 13 Illinois, No. 15 Nebraska, and No. 19 Nebraska. The coaches list includes No. 11 Michigan State, No. 12 Illinois, No. 13 Purdue, No. 14 Nebraska, and No. 20 Wisconsin. UCLA and Ohio State also received votes in both polls.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="20"
 >The Big Ten closed its nonconference schedule with a record of 157-41, the second-best win percentage (.793) of any conference, behind only the Big 12 (.806). Big Ten teams have defended home court to the tune of an 118-4 (.967) record in non-conference home games, the highest non-conference home winning percentage of any D-I conference.</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: justify;"
 value="21"
 >Entering the NCAA Tournament, Big Ten teams combined to win 94 Quad 1 games, most of any conference, with 17 teams scoring at least one Quad 1 win, and 69 Quad 2 victories. Michigan’s 17 Quad 1 wins are tied with Duke for the most in the nation, while the Wolverines are one of just three teams with a combined 22 Quad 1 and 2 victories. Michigan (22-3), Purdue (17-8), and Nebraska (15-6) are three of just 16 teams nationally with at least 15 combined Quad 1 and 2 wins. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="22"
 >Through games on Selection Sunday, the Big Ten boasted 13 teams in the top 75 spots in the NET Rankings, including three in the top 10 and nine in the top 50. Michigan leads the Big Ten at No. 3, followed by No. 8 Illinois, No. 9 Purdue, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 14 Nebraska, and No. 25 Wisconsin. Iowa, Ohio State, UCLA, and Indiana also claimed spots in the top 50.</li></ul></div>

2026 MBB Final Four

Big Ten Weekly Men's Basketball Central - April 1

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/">
 BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL 
 </a>  •  <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/stats/">
  BIG TEN STATISTICS 
 </a>  •  <a href="https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings?sport_code=MBB&division=1">
   NCAA STATISTICS
 </a> <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/schedule/">
 BIG TEN SCHEDULE & RESULTS 
 </a>  •  <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/standings/">
  BIG TEN STANDINGS
 </a> <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">
 NCAA AP TOP 25 POLL 
 </a>  •  <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/basketball/ncaab/coaches-poll#gnt-rf">
  NCAA USA TODAY TOP 25 POLL
 </a> <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/article/59648/">
 MEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON CENTRAL
 </a><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Big-Ten-MBB-Weekly-Release-032526-Final2.pdf">
 WEEKLY RELEASE - MARCH 25
 </a>Big Ten. Big News.<ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="1"
 >A Big Ten record six teams have advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Purdue, just one team shy of the NCAA Tournament record. This marks the first time more than four teams have advanced to the tournament’s second round. A conference record, nine teams were selected to compete in the tournament, with Ohio State, UCLA, and Wisconsin falling short of the advancing to the second weekend. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >On Thursday, Purdue will face Texas in San Jose, Calif. (7:10 p.m. CBS), while Houston will host three Big Ten teams, as Nebraska and Iowa (7:30 p.m. TBS) will meet before Illinois faces Houston (10:05 p.m. TBS). On Friday, Michigan will play Alabama in Chicago (7:30 p.m. TBS), with Michigan State and Connecticut to meet in Washington D.C. at 9:45 p.m. (CBS). </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Following dominant victories over No. 14 seed Penn (105-70) in the first round and No. 11 seed VCU (76-55) in the second last week in Greenville, S.C., No. 3 seed Illinois will make its 13th all-time appearance in the Sweet 16 when it faces No. 2 seed Houston on Thursday in Houston (9:05 p.m. CT on TBS). The Illini are playing in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons. This is the first time in more than 20 years that Illinois has made two Sweet 16 appearances in a three-year span, since a run of four Sweet 16s in five years from 2001-05.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="4"
 >Alvaro Folgueiras game-winning three-pointer gave No. 9 seed Iowa a 73-72 win over No. 1 seed and defending NCAA champion Florida and sent the Hawkeyes to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. The Hawkeyes will face a familiar foe on Thursday night in Houston, as they meet No. 4 seed Nebraska. In four career games in March Madness, Bennett Stirtz is averaging 17.8 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds with .412/.286/.785 shooting splits. He has played 40 minutes in each of the four games. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="5"
 >Michigan will make its ninth Sweet 16 appearance in its last 10 NCAA Tournament appearances on Friday, when it faces #4 Alabama at the United Center in Chicago. The Wolverines totaled 196 points during the opening weekend in Buffalo, cruising past No. 16 seed Howard (101-80) and No. 9 seed Saint Louis (95-72) to reach the Sweet 16. Head coach Dusty May will take a team Sweet 16 for the third time in the last four seasons, including consecutive appearances with Michigan (2025, 2026) after guiding Florida Atlantic to a Final Four run in 2023.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="6"
 >Powered by a program NCAA Tournament record 16 assists from Jeremy Fears Jr. in its 77-69 win over No. 6 seed Louisville, Michigan State will head to the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row and the 17th time overall under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Izzo. The Spartans will face the winner of No. 2 seed Connecticut on Friday in the East Regional semifinal in Washington, D.C.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="7"
 >Nebraska will look to extend its record-breaking season on Thursday, when it faces No. 9 seed Iowa in Houston. The Huskers earned the program’s first two NCAA Tournament wins last week, extending their current postseason win streak to six games, The Huskers are led by junior Pryce Sandfort, who is averaging 19.0 points per game on 55 percent shooting, including 10-of-18 from three-point range. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="8"
 >Coming off a pair of double-digit wins in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, Purdue looks to keep it going when it faces 11th-seeded Texas on Thursday in San Jose, Calif. The Boilermakers are making their third straight Sweet 16 appearance and seventh in the last nine tournaments. During its current six game win streak, dating back to the Big Ten Tournament, Purdue has trailed for just 20 minutes. During those six games, Purdue has trailed for a total of 1:41 in the second half (Miami, Fla.).</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="9"
 >Through two rounds, the 2026 NCAA Tournament is averaging 10.1 million viewers across CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. It has produced record-setting audiences, with the most-watched first round ever (9.5 million viewers) and the most watched second round since 1993 (11 million viewers). Thursday’s primetime window, including the Michigan-Howard game, averaged 12.5 million viewers, the most watched first round window ever, while Sunday’s early primetime window, which included the Iowa-Florida matchup) boasted 19.7 million viewers, the most watched window first week window in tournament history. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="10"
 >In Friday’s opening round win over Queens, Purdue senior Braden Smith became the NCAA all-time leader in career assists, with his second assist of the victory vaulting Smith past Duke great Bobby Hurley’s 1,076 mark (1990-93). On Sunday, Smith became the third player in NCAA Tournament history to have at least 100 points, 100 assists and 50 rebounds in NCAA Tournament play, joining Kansas' Aaron Miles and North Carolina's Ed Cota.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="11"
 >A pair of Big Ten coaches also reached milestones over the weekend. On Saturday, Illinois’ Brad Underwood earned his 300th Division I victory. Purdue’s Matt Painter scored his 500th victory on the Boilermakers’ bench on Sunday, joining Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, Indiana’s Bobby Knight, and Purdue’s Gene Keady as the only Big Ten coaches with 500 wins at a Big Ten school.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="12"
 >Four student-athletes and three coaches were recognized by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Friday, as the group announced the semifinalists for the Naismith Awards. Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, and Purdue’s Braden Smith were among 10 players named as semifinalists for the Naismith Player of the Year Award, while Lendeborg joined teammate Aday Mara as semifinalists for the Defensive Player of the Year honor. Michigan’s Dusty May, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, and Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg were also listed among the 10 Naismith Coach of the Year nominees. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="13"
 >Two Big Ten teams, Minnesota and Rutgers, have also been selected to play in the 2026 College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas, a single-elimination eight team contest, which takes place Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="14"
 >The Boilermakers claimed their third Big Ten Tournament title with an 80-72 win over top seed Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago. The number seven seeded Boilermakers were led by Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, who combined for 41 points, while Jim and Kitty Delany Most Outstanding Player Braden Smith paired 14 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Smith was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Michigan’s Aday Mara, Cluff, and Wisconsin’s John Blackwell, and John Boyd.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="15"
 >The Purdue-Michigan Big Ten championship game averaged 4.716 million viewers for CBS, its largest viewing audience for the Big Ten Championship game since Ohio State-Wisconsin in 2013. The audience peaked at 6.207 million viewers, making it the most-watched conference championship game on any network in the last 30 years. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="16"
 >Michigan scored its 16th Big Ten championship, closing the regular season with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play. The 19 conference victories are the most in Big Ten history, besting the 18 wins by the 1974-75 and 1975-76 Indiana teams. The Wolverines (10-0) also joined the 1975-76 Hoosiers (9-0) as the only teams to go undefeated on the road.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="17"
 >The Big Ten recently announced its 2026 All-Big Ten Teams and awards. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was named Player of the Year by both the coaches and media panel. Fellow Wolverine Aday Mara was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Illinois’ Keaton Wagler claimed Freshman of the Year honors. Nebraska’s Braden Frager claimed Sixth Man of the Year accolades. Wisconsin assistant coach Sharif Chambliss was named Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year, with Michigan’s Dusty May and Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg earning Coach of the Year recognition from the media and coaches, respectively.  </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="18"
 >The Big Ten opened NCAA Tournament play with six teams ranked in both the AP and USA Today/Coaches polls. Michigan leads the way on both listings at No. 3. In the AP poll, the Wolverines are followed by No. 8 Purdue, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 13 Illinois, No. 15 Nebraska, and No. 19 Nebraska. The coaches list includes No. 11 Michigan State, No. 12 Illinois, No. 13 Purdue, No. 14 Nebraska, and No. 20 Wisconsin. UCLA and Ohio State also received votes in both polls. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="19"
 >The Big Ten closed its nonconference schedule with a record of 157-41, the second-best win percentage (.793) of any conference, behind only the Big 12 (.806). Big Ten teams have defended home court to the tune of an 118-4 (.967) record in non-conference home games, the highest non-conference home winning percentage of any D-I conference. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="20"
 >Entering the NCAA Tournament, Big Ten teams combined to win 94 Quad 1 games, most of any conference, with 17 teams scoring at least one Quad 1 win, and 69 Quad 2 victories. Michigan’s 17 Quad 1 wins are tied with Duke for the most in the nation, while the Wolverines are one of just three teams with a combined 22 Quad 1 and 2 victories. Michigan (22-3), Purdue (17-8), and Nebraska (15-6) are three of just 16 teams nationally with at least 15 combined Quad 1 and 2 wins.  </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="21"
 >Through games on Selection Sunday, the Big Ten boasted 13 teams in the top 75 spots in the NET Rankings, including three in the top 10 and nine in the top 50. Michigan leads the Big Ten at No. 3, followed by No. 8 Illinois, No. 9 Purdue, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 14 Nebraska, and No. 25 Wisconsin. Iowa, Ohio State, UCLA, and Indiana also claimed spots in the top 50.</li></ul></div>

NCAA Sweet 16 Logo

Big Ten Weekly Men's Basketball Central - March 25 (032526)

Smith PUR 0320

Smith Breaks NCAA Career Assist Mark in Tournament Opening Victory (032026)

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – Six Big Ten men’s basketball student-athletes have collected All-America honors this week.Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg and Purdue’s Braden Smtih have been named consensus First Team All-Americans, while Illinois’ Keaton Wagler garnered consensus Second Team honors, after collecting from the Associated Press (AP), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Sporting News, and US Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).Each outlet also included Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. on its list of All-Americans, while Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz, and Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton also received All-America Honorable Mention.This marks the 17th consecutive season that the Big Ten has boasted at least one consensus All-American.Lendeborg, who was also named Big Ten Player of the Year, anchored the Wolverines with 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocked shots, and 1.2 steals per game, while helping Michigan win its 16th Big Ten title and a program record 31 victories.This marks the second consecutive season with consensus All-America honors for Smith, who is averaging 14.0 points, 9.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. With 317 assists heading into the NCAA Tournament, the Purdue senior has already broken his own Big Ten single season assist mark and stands on the verge of breaking Bobby Hurley’s career assist mark.Wagler has reset the Illinois freshman scoring marks, with 573 points on the season. His 17.9 points per game are on pace to break the Illini all-time freshman scoring average record set in 1993-94. The freshman has recorded nine 20-point games, one shy of the program freshman record, and scored in double-figures in each of the last 24 games and 29 times this season.Fears, a redshirt sophomore, Fears leads Michigan State in scoring with 15.7 points per game and in assists, with 9.2 per game, which leads both the Big Ten and the nation. He ranks third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (89.3%) and second in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.13). He is the only player in the country averaging at least 15.0 points and 9.0 assists per game.Stirtz currently ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 20 points, including 18 20-point and three 30-point contests, to go along with 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals. He is currently the only player in the nation with at least 660 points, 145 assists, 80 three-pointers, 80 rebounds, and 45 steals.Thornton, the Buckeyes’ only four-time captain, leads Ohio State with 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. One of just four players nationally to average 20 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, Thornton recently passed Dennis Hopson to become Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer.Consensus All-America Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan – First Team Braden Smith, Purdue – First Team Keaton Wagler, Illinois – Second TeamSporting News All-America Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan – First Team Keaton Wagler, Illinois – Second Team Braden Smith, Purdue – Second Team Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State – Third TeamUSBWA All-America Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan – First Team Braden Smith, Purdue – First Team Keaton Wagler, Illinois – Second Team Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State – Third Team Bennett Stirtz, Iowa – Honorable MentionAP All-America Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan – First Team Keaton Wagler, Illinois – Second Team Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State – Second Team Braden Smtih, Purdue – Second Team Bennett Stirtz, Iowa – Honorable Mention Bruce Thornton, Ohio State – Honorable MentionUSBWA All-America Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan – First Team Braden Smith, Purdue – First Team Keaton Wagler, Illinois – Second Team Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State – Third TeamClick here to view the complete list of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-all-america-college-basketball-team-7bf9bc1f285621d8e66325fd4186d884">
 2025-26 AP All-America Teams
 </a>.Click here to view the complete list of <a href="https://nabc.com/nabc_releases/2026/nabc-division-i-all-america-teams-announced-3/">
 2025-26 NABC All-America honors
 </a>.Click here to view the complete list of <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/sporting-news-2025-26-college-basketball-all-america-team/391e27402aaeb1dc852f8d13">
 2025-26 Sporting News All-America honors
 </a>.Click here to view the complete list of <a href="https://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2026/03/18/standout-freshmen-join-smith-lendeborg-headlining-2025-26-usbwa-mens-all-america-team">
 2025-26 USBWA All-America honors.
 </a>   </div>

Lendeborg MICH 1

Big Ten Scores 6 MAll-America Honors (031926)

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/">
 BIG TEN MEN'S BASKETBALL
 </a>  •  <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/stats/">
 BIG TEN STATISTICS
 </a>  •  <a href="https://stats.ncaa.org/rankings?sport_code=MBB&division=1">
  NCAA STATISTICS
 </a> <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/schedule/">
 BIG TEN SCHEDULE & RESULTS
 </a>  •  <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/standings/">
 BIG TEN STANDINGS
 </a> <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">
 NCAA AP TOP 25 POLL
 </a>  •  <a href="https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/basketball/ncaab/coaches-poll#gnt-rf">
 NCAA USA TODAY TOP 25 POLL
 </a> <a href="https://bigten.org/mbb/article/59648/">
 MEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON CENTRAL
 </a><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Big-Ten-MBB-Weekly-Release-031826-NCAA.pdf">
 WEEKLY RELEASE - MARCH 18
 </a>Big Ten. Big News.<ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="1"
 >Nine Big Ten schools have been selected to compete in the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, it was announced Sunday on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Show on CBS. Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, UCLA, and Wisconsin will all be taking part in this year’s tournament. All games will be televised on CBS Sports, TBS, TNT or truTV, with Big Ten teams tipping off on Thursday.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >Two Big Ten teams, Minnesota and Rutgers, have also been selected to play in the 2026 College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas, a single-elimination eight team contest, which takes place Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Purdue claimed its third Big Ten Tournament title with an 80-72 win over top seed Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the United Center in Chicago. The number seven seeded Boilermakers were led by Oscar Cluff and Trey Kaufman-Renn, who combined for 41 points, while Jim and Kitty Delany Most Outstanding Player Braden Smith paired 14 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Smith was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Michigan’s Aday Mara, Cluff, and Wisconsin’s John Blackwell, and John Boyd.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="4"
 >Sunday’s Purdue-Michigan championship game averaged 4.716 million viewers for CBS, its largest viewing audience for the Big Ten Championship game since Ohio State-Wisconsin in 2013. The audience peaked at 6.207 million viewers, making it the most-watched conference championship game on any network in the last 30 years. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="5"
 >Michigan scored its 16th Big Ten championship, closing the regular season with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play. The 19 conference victories are the most in Big Ten history, besting the 18 wins by the 1974-75 and 1975-76 Indiana teams. The Wolverines (10-0) also joined the 1975-76 Hoosiers (9-0) as the only teams to go undefeated on the road.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="6"
 >Six Big Ten players collected All-America honors this week. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg collected First Team accolades from the Associated Press (AP), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Sporting News, and US Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Purdue’s Braden Smith was also named to the First Team by the NABC and USBWA, while Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. and Keaton Wagler also received All-America recognition. Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz and Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton received Honorable Mention from the AP, while the USBWA included Stirtz on its Honorable Mention list.  </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="7"
 >Last week, the Big Ten announced its 2026 All-Big Ten Teams and awards. Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was named Player of the Year by both the coaches and media panel. Fellow Wolverine Aday Mara was named Defensive Player of the Year, while Illinois’ Keaton Wagler claimed Freshman of the Year honors. Nebraska’s Braden Frager claimed Sixth Man of the Year accolades. Wisconsin assistant coach Sharif Chambliss was named Howard Moore Assistant Coach of the Year, with Michigan’s Dusty May and Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg earning Coach of the Year recognition from the media and coaches, respectively.  </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="8"
 >The Big Ten will open NCAA Tournament play with six teams ranked in both the AP and USA Today/Coaches polls. Michigan leads the way on both listings at No. 3. In the AP poll, the Wolverines are followed by No. 8 Purdue, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 13 Illinois, No. 15 Nebraska, and No. 19 Nebraska. The coaches list includes No. 11 Michigan State, No. 12 Illinois, No. 13 Purdue, No. 14 Nebraska, and No. 20 Wisconsin. UCLA and Ohio State also received votes in both polls. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="9"
 >The Big Ten closed its nonconference schedule with a record of 157-41, the second-best win percentage (.793) of any conference, behind only the Big 12 (.806). Big Ten teams have defended home court to the tune of an 118-4 (.967) record in non-conference home games, the highest non-conference home winning percentage of any D-I conference. </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="10"
 >Entering Thursday’s NCAA Tournament games, Big Ten teams have combined to win 94 Quad 1 games, most of any conference, with 17 teams scoring at least one Quad 1 win, and 69 Quad 2 victories. Michigan’s 17 Quad 1 wins are tied with Duke for the most in the nation, while the Wolverines are one of just three teams with a combined 22 Quad 1 and 2 victories. Michigan (22-3), Purdue (17-8), and Nebraska (15-6) are three of just 16 teams nationally with at least 15 combined Quad 1 and 2 wins.  </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="11"
 >Through games on Selection Sunday, the Big Ten boasts 13 teams in the top 75 spots in the NET Rankings, including three in the top 10 and nine in the top 50. Michigan leads the Big Ten at No. 3, followed by No. 8 Illinois, No. 9 Purdue, No. 11 Michigan State, No. 14 Nebraska, and No. 25 Wisconsin. Iowa, Ohio State, UCLA, and Indiana also claimed spots in the top 50.</li><li
 class=""
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 value="12"
 >Milestone Watch... Purdue’s Braden Smith sits just two assists shy of breaking Bobby Hurley’s career assist record of 1,076. Smith is the only player in NCAA history to have at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 career rebounds, currently with 1,865 points, 1,075 assists and 661 rebounds... Congratulations to Ohio State’s Devin Royal and USC’s Jordan Marsh, who recently scored their 1,000th career points... Illinois head coach Brad Underwood enters tournament play with 298 career wins, while Purdue head coach Matt Painter owns 498 wins on the Boilermakers’ sideline. </li></ul></div>

March Madness

Big Ten Weekly Men's Basketball Central - March 18-22

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference recognized a total of 1,127 students on winter sports rosters who have been named to the <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Winter2026AcademicAllBigTenFINAL.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Academic All-Big Ten Team
 </a> Wednesday. The list of honorees includes 83 men’s and 119 women’s basketball students, 98 men’s ice hockey students, 59 men’s and 146 women’s gymnastics students, 154 men’s and 251 women’s swim and dive students, and 217 wrestling students. To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list as of March 1 for fall sports), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Among the winter Academic All-Big Ten honorees, 30 had unblemished GPAs: Men’s Basketball  Jacob Koch, Iowa, Sophomore, Business Direct Administration, Iowa City, Iowa Women’s Basketball  Emma Shumate, Michigan State, Senior, Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Dresden Ohio  Sammy White, Northwestern, Graduate Student, Sports Communication Cert, Timonium, Md.  Men’s Gymnastics  Jax Washburn, Illinois, Sophomore, Community Health, Portland, Ore.  Kellen Ryan, Penn State, Graduate Student, Engineering, Janesville, Wis.  Women’s Gymnastics  Chloe Cho, Illinois, Sophomore, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Santa Clarita, Calif.   Aurelie Tran, Iowa, Sophomore, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Repentigny, Quebec, Canada  Kaia Vanney, Iowa, Senior, Interdepartmental Studies, Redondo Beach, Calif.  Eva Volpe, Iowa, Junior, Public Health, Pearland, Texas  Sarah Moraw, Minnesota, Graduate Student, Human Rsrc/Indus Rel M H R I R, Holland, Mich.   Megan Steensland, Minnesota, Graduate Student, Sport Management M Ed, Chaska, Minn.  Mika Webster-Longin, UCLA, Sophomore, History, Richmond, Calif. Men’s Swim and Dive  Taye Ghadiali, Michigan, Graduate Student, Social Work, Warren, Mich.  Joe Polyak, Minnesota, Junior, Biochemistry B S, Iowa City, Iowa Women’s Swim and Dive  Mary Kate Cavanaugh, Indiana, Sophomore, Finance, Longmont, Colo.  Brady kendall, Michigan, Graduate Student, Pharmacy PharmD, Canton, Mich.  Letitia Sim, Michigan, Senior, Applied Exercise Science, Spanish Fort, Ala.  Jade Roghair, Minnesota, Senior, Neuroscience B S, Iowa City, Iowa  Rachel Bockrath, Ohio State, Sophomore, Biology, Wilmington, Del.   Delia Lloyd, Ohio State, Sophomore, Biology, Toronto, Canada  Caroline Frazier, Purdue, Sophomore, Environmental & Ecological Engineering, Spring, Texas  Elena Dry, UCLA, Junior, Molecular, Cell and Development Biology, Raleigh, N.C. Wrestling  Dylan Connell, Illinois, Graduate, MS: Management, Marengo, Ill.  Charlie Fifield, Illinois, Graduate, MS: Management, Rolling Meadows, Ill.  Taye Ghadiali, Michigan, Graduate Student, Social Work, Warren, Mich.  Andy Hampton, Michigan State, RS-Senior, Media Analytics, Rochester, Mich.  Drew Roberts, Minnesota, RS-Senior, Non Degree, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho  Lucas Cochran, Penn State, Graduate Student, Real Estate Law & Valuation, Perry, Utah  Patrick Adams, Rutgers, Graduate Student, Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Old Bridge, N.J.  Cale Anderson, Wisconsin, Graduate Student, M.S. Kinesiology, Viroqua, Wis.  </div>

Winter Academic All-Big Ten 2026

Big Ten Recognizes Winter Academic All-Big Ten Honorees 

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – On Tuesday, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) announced its 2025-26 NABC Division I All-District Teams and District Coaches of the Year. The All-District honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across NCAA Division I.Among the honorees were 25 student-athletes and coaches from 15 Big Ten schools, including Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg and Michigan head coach Dusty May, who were named Central and Great Lakes District Coaches of the Year, respectively.The NABC introduced a new model for its Division I district alignment last season, with schools arranged by state rather than by conference. The modernized NABC Division I district alignment features 10 geographic regions that each encompass multiple states. Every Division I school in each given state belongs to that state’s corresponding district.<a href="https://nabc.com/nabc_releases/2026/nabc-announces-division-i-all-district-teams-coaches-of-the-year-2/">
 Click here to view the complete list of NABC All-District honors 
 </a>.Central District Coach of the Year – Fred Hoiberg, NebraskaFirst Team Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska Bennett Stirtz, IowaSecond Team Rienk Mast, NebraskaEast District First Team Bruce Thornton, Ohio StateGreat Lakes District Coach of the Year – Dusty May, MichiganFirst Team Keaton Wagler, Illinois Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State Nick Martinelli, Northwestern Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue Braden Smith, Purdue John Blackwell, Wisconsin Nick Boyd, Wisconsin Second Team David Mirkovic, Illinois Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan Aday Mara, Michigan Cade Tyson, Minnesota Fletcher Loyer, PurdueMid Atlantic District Second Team Tariq Francis, RutgersPacific District First Team Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA Donovan Dent, UCLA Chad Baker-Mazara, USC Hannes Steinbach, WashingtonSecond Team Nate Bittle, Oregon</div>

NABC 

NABC Tabs 25 from Big Ten with All-District Honors (031826)

Big Ten Men’s Basketball News

Headlines

Big Ten Recognizes 2025-26 Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients

Big Life Series Showcases the Spirit of the Pacific Northwest

Boynton Jr. Named Head Coach of Michigan Men's Basketball Program

Big Life Series Heads to the Pacific Northwest

Big Ten Nets 11 NBA Draft Selections

Northwestern's Mark Jackson Named to NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Selection Committee

Big Ten Conference Announces 2026-27 Men’s Basketball Opponents

Big Ten Duo Named to Academic All-America First Team

Wolverines Triumph Over Huskies to Win Second National Championship

2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Central

U-M Dominates No. 2 Arizona, Advances to First NCAA Tournament Title Game Since 2018

Nebraska's Hoiberg Named AP National Coach of the Year

Big Ten Weekly Men's Basketball Central - April 1

Big Ten Weekly Men's Basketball Central - March 25

Smith Breaks NCAA Career Assist Mark in Tournament Opening Victory

Big Ten Scores 6 Men's Basketball All-America Honors

Big Ten Weekly Men's Basketball Central - March 18-22

Big Ten Recognizes Winter Academic All-Big Ten Honorees

NABC Tabs 25 with All-District Honors

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