INDIANAPOLIS — The Big Ten entered the men's NCAA tournament having two more bids (nine total) than any other league, the best conference KenPom rating in the country, two No. 1 seeds and two more No. 2 seeds. In all, the league had five of the top-16 seeds in the tournament.
For all its bungled COVID-19-related football troubles of the fall, the conference seemed to be destined for a big showing on the hardwood this spring. This was the year, it felt like, to snap that 21-year national title drought in men's hoops.
Maybe not.