How each Big Ten team finished in the final league standings relative to preseason expectations

Ahead of the start of the 2026 Big Ten tournament tonight in Chicago, we’re taking a look back at the preseason media poll that was released in early October.

The “official unofficial” media poll surveyed 28 writers from across the league to get their predicted order of finish for the conference.

Here is how each team performed this season, relative to expectations in the preseason:

1. Purdue

Actual finish: Tied for 6th
Conference record: 13-7
Big Ten tournament seed: 7

The preseason pick to win the Big Ten and the No. 1 team in the Associated Press top 25 poll to begin the season, the Boilermakers are the No. 7 seed in this week’s Big Ten tournament. It was a disappointing regular season in West Lafayette but Purdue can rewrite the narrative in the postseason.

2. Michigan

Actual finish: League champion
Conference record: 19-1
Big Ten tournament seed: 1

The Wolverines completed a dominant regular season by winning the outright championship by four games. Michigan is one of the favorites to win the national championship. Dusty May is the media’s pick for coach of the year and Yaxel Lendeborg is the Big Ten player of the year.

3. UCLA

Actual finish: Tied for 6th
Conference record: 13-7
Big Ten tournament seed: 6

A solid NCAA tournament team, the Bruins were 9-1 at home in Big Ten play but were just 4-6 in road games. UCLA swept the West Coast teams in the league and also won at Penn State. Still, it’s hard to describe the regular season as a success for UCLA relative to expectations.

4. Illinois

Actual finish: Tied for 2nd
Conference record: 15-5
Big Ten tournament seed: 4

The Fighting Illini are currently in the top five in KenPom and might be the Big Ten’s second-best chance to win the national championship this season. Illinois should be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Keaton Wagler was the league’s biggest surprise on the floor, earning All-Big Ten first team honors and the league’s freshman of the year award.

5. Oregon

Actual finish: Tied for 15th
Conference record: 5-15
Big Ten tournament seed: 16

It was a disastrous regular season for the Ducks, who had significant injury issues all season. Dana Altman didn’t have a deep enough roster to overcome the loss of Jackson Shelstad, who only played in 12 games.

6. Michigan State

Actual finish: Tied for 2nd
Conference record: 15-5
Big Ten tournament seed: 3

The Spartans outperformed expectations, which shouldn’t be a surprise given Tom Izzo’s history of competing near the top of the league. Jeremy Fears Jr. put together an outstanding season, as did the Michigan State supporting cast, which is full of upperclassmen who have developed over multiple seasons.

7. Wisconsin

Actual finish: 5th
Conference record: 15-5
Big Ten tournament seed: 5

With outstanding seasons from Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, the Badgers were the only team to beat Michigan this season and also won at Purdue and Illinois. If Boyd and Blackwell are playing well, Wisconsin can beat anyone.

8. Iowa

Actual finish: 9th
Conference record: 10-10
Big Ten tournament seed: 9

The Hawkeyes lost six of their last eight games to close the regular season but remain a solid NCAA tournament team. And Bennett Stirtz was one of the league’s best guards all season.

9. Ohio State

Actual finish: 8th
Conference record: 12-8
Big Ten tournament seed: 8

Give Jake Diebler credit for the way Ohio State played down the stretch in the regular season. With three straight wins, the Buckeyes are a near lock for the NCAA tournament. It’s worth noting, too, that Bruce Thornton set the career scoring record at Ohio State in its most recent game, a win against Indiana.

10. Indiana

Actual finish: 10th
Conference record: 9-11
Big Ten tournament seed: 10

The Hoosiers had a historically great offensive season from Lamar Wilkerson but are currently on the wrong side of the NCAA tournament bubble. Indiana’s frontcourt and point guard play were up and down for much of the season. IU, however, finished right where it was picked in the preseason media poll.

11. Washington

Actual finish: Tied for 12th
Conference record: 7-13
Big Ten tournament seed: 12

The Huskies had one of the league’s most talented rosters but battled injuries and enter the Big Ten tournament with a losing record at 15-16. Danny Sprinkle, who was considered a strong hire, has work to do in year three in Seattle next winter.

12. USC

Actual finish: Tied for 12th
Conference record: 7-13
Big Ten tournament seed: 13

The Trojans won the Maui Invitational but struggled for long stretches in Big Ten play before ultimately dismissing Chad Baker-Mazara from the team. The Trojans lost their last seven games in league play and are looking at another offseason full of attrition.

13. Maryland

Actual finish: 17th
Conference record: 4-16
Big Ten tournament seed: 17

It was a disastrous first season for Buzz Williams in the Big Ten. An early-season injury to Pharrel Payne was a big loss, but outside of a win against Iowa, Maryland didn’t beat anyone of consequence all season. There will be pressure on Williams to be much improved next season.

14. Nebraska

Actual finish: Tied for 2nd
Conference record: 15-5
Big Ten tournament seed: 2

Fred Hoiberg and the Huskers were the biggest outlier of any team after being picked to finish in the bottom five of the conference. It was a historically great regular season in Lincoln and Hoiberg, the coaches pick for Big Ten coach of the year, earned a contract extension this month. Pryce Sandfort was one of the league’s best scorers after transferring from Iowa.

15. Northwestern

Actual finish: Tied for 15th
Conference record: 5-15
Big Ten tournament seed: 15

This season can best be described as a transition year for Chris Collins and the Wildcats in Evanston. Northwestern played several freshmen down the stretch of the season but rode the scoring of Nick Martinelli to late-season wins against Maryland, Indiana and Oregon.

16. Minnesota

Actual finish: 11th
Conference record: 8-12
Big Ten tournament seed: 11

Despite battling injuries all season and limited depth, Niko Medved and the Gophers beat Michigan State, Indiana and Iowa at home. Medved did one of the better coaching jobs in the league and if he can improve the talent in Minneapolis, Minnesota should continue to climb the league standings.

17. Rutgers

Actual finish: 14th
Conference record: 6-14
Big Ten tournament seed: 14

Believe it or not, Rutgers outperformed expectations and avoided playing on Tuesday in the Big Ten tournament. Steve Pikiell’s seat might be warm, but he’ll be back for another season in Piscataway.

18. Penn State

Actual finish: 18th
Conference record: 3-17
Big Ten tournament seed: 18

Penn State had the worst roster in the Big Ten and the results showed. As Mike Rhoades concludes his third season in State College, it’s hard to find many positives in the direction of the program.

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