The Big Ten is out of time and out of excuses

It has been 25 years.

Say it again if you need to. Twenty-five years since the Michigan State Spartans last won a national championship. Since 2000, the Big Ten has had the hype, the rankings, the media love, the packed arenas, the “best conference in basketball” label.

And still no title.

If you are tired of hearing that, good. You should be. Because the only way to make it stop is simple. Win one.

Every March, the same story gets recycled. This league is different. This team is built for a run. This group can finally finish the job. And every April, the Big Ten is explaining another loss on the biggest stage.

Close does not count anymore. It has not counted since 2000.

As you get ready for this weekend, remember what is at stake

As you are getting ready for the biggest weekend of the season, filling out your final predictions and convincing yourself this is finally the year.

As you are spending way too much money on tickets just to sit at the very top of a football stadium, squinting your eyes to see the action.

Because if there is one thing Big Ten fans will always be, it is their huckleberry when it comes to showing up and paying whatever it takes.

As you buy into all the same hype you have heard every March for the last two decades.

Just remember one thing.

The Big Ten has not won a national title since 2000.

Not 2010. Not 2015. Not a few years ago.

2000.

If you are tired of hearing it, good. Everyone is.

Win one.

This weekend is everything the Big Ten asked for

Now look at the setup.

• Illinois Fighting Illini vs. UConn Huskies
• Michigan Wolverines vs. Arizona Wildcats

This is it.

This is the scenario the Big Ten has been begging for.

Two Final Four teams. Two real contenders. Two chances to end something that has been hanging over this conference since 2000.

And here is the part that changes everything.

If Illinois and Michigan both win, the Big Ten does not just have a shot at a title.

It guarantees one.

No more hoping. No more excuses. No more talking.

Just a championship.

More: Illinois gets one shot to end an 80-year nightmare against UConn

This league used to finish the job a long time ago

The part that makes this even more frustrating is that this conference knows what winning looks like.

• Indiana Hoosiers won titles in 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987
• Michigan State Spartans won in 1979 and 2000
• Michigan Wolverines won in 1989
• Ohio State Buckeyes won in 1960
• Wisconsin Badgers won in 1941

That is real history.

But none of it has happened since 2000.

Different players. Different eras. Same ending.

Stop talking about it. Finish it

The Big Ten loves to sell toughness. Depth. Physicality. Nobody wants to play us.

Then prove it.

Because right now, the rest of the sport hears one thing when the Big Ten starts talking.

2000.​​​​​​

Illinois gets the first shot against a UConn Huskies program that has made a habit of ending Big Ten dreams. Dan Hurley has owned the Big Ten and especially Brad Underwood and the Fighting Illini. Michigan hopes to get the next chance to make sure this is not another almost.

This is the moment the conference has been building toward for 25 years.

If the Big Ten is tired of hearing about 2000, there is only one way to make it stop.

Win.
The.
Title.

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