The heart of basketball

Every year the media raves about a basketball conference being played and touts them as the best in the country.  The past two seasons it's been the Big East and before that it was usually the ACC.  This season  has touted the Big 12 as the best some gave that honor to the Big Ten.  It was usually said with the caveat that the tournment would be the final arbiter.

It's a fair comment that they were dubious because the tournament hasn't been very kind to the B1G in recent years.  Michigan State has been the most consistent and Wisconsin/Ohio State have had their runs but in most years the league disappoints.  This year the Big Ten has stepped up and so far are exceeding expectations.  Here's the results so far:

9-2
Big Ten
4
11-5
Big East
4
6-4
Big 12
2
5-3
ACC
2

I am definitely happy with the results so far but it's a bit early to say the Big Ten exceeded expectations.  The 6 teams that were put into the tournament were ranked 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, and 10.  Based on the seeding the B1G should have 5 teams make it through the first weekend and be 10-1.  Instead, Michigan's first round loss has the conference at 1 game below the seeding expectations though Purdue almost made up for the Wolverines early exit in their games vs St. Mary's and Kansas.

This weekend is the key for the conference to make a statement as by seeding they should go 2-2 in the Sweet 16, then 1-1 in the Elite 8.  If they can surpass that this will be a season that fans in the Midwest will look back on many years with pride.

Speaking of pride, here's a map of the remaining participants:

There's 2 teams west of the Mississippi, 1in Florida, 2 in North Carolina, 1 in New York and the other 10 in the Midwest.  The midpoint of the Sweet 16 is just off I-75 between Cincinnati and Louisville.  That makes sense as the overwhelming favorite is Kentucky with the upstarts Louisville, Cincinnati, and Xavier nearby.  Add to that Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Marquette, and Ohio and its a fair bet the national champion will come from this area.

It should be fun to watch.