The college basketball season is in full swing, and Nick Makowitz is guiding you through each conference and giving you the best bets to make. Here, we look at a preview of the Big Ten Conference.
Who is Favored to Win the Big Ten Basketball Championship?
Purdue is the favorite to win the Big Ten championship this season. After them, Illinois and Indiana have the best odds to bring home the Big Ten title. Check out the list below for full 2022-23 Big Ten Championship odds.
(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Purdue +105
- Illinois +600
- Indiana +650
- Wisconsin +1200
- Maryland +1200
- Ohio State +1300
- Iowa +1500
- Rutgers +2500
- Michigan +2500
- Michigan State +3000
- Penn State +3000
- Northwestern +6000
- Minnesota +25000
- Nebraska +25000
Why is Purdue Favored to Win the Big Ten Basketball Championship?
The short answer is Zach Edey. The 7-foot-4 junior has leveled up this season and become the most dominant individual force in college basketball. On his back, the Boilermakers have completely overachieved relative to what oddsmakers and journalists expected coming into the season. They’ve captured double-digit wins against West Virginia, Gonzaga and Duke, and they enter Big Ten play as the top-ranked team in the country.
Can Michigan State Win the Big Ten Basketball Championship?
It’s probably surprising to many that the Big Ten’s most recognizable blue-blood enters conference play as a +3000 longshot to win the regular season title, but the Spartans don’t have the same high-end talent that they’ve had in years past. FanDuel gives Michigan State the 10th-best odds to win the conference, and I’d bet they finish better than 10th, but it’s hard to feel confident in them winning the Big Ten regular season ahead of teams like Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.
Past Big Ten Basketball Champions
Multiple teams indicate a tie
- 2022 – Illinois & Wisconsin
- 2021 – Michigan
- 2020 – Maryland, Michigan State & Wisconsin
- 2019 – Michigan State & Purdue
- 2018 – Michigan State
- 2017 – Purdue
- 2016 – Indiana
- 2015 – Wisconsin
- 2014 – Michigan
- 2013 – Indiana
Best Bet to Win the Big Ten Basketball Championship
Indiana +650
The Hoosiers began the year as +290 favorites to win the Big Ten title, but Purdue’s early-season dominance has dethroned them in the eyes of oddsmakers. It’s also important to mention that Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson is out indefinitely after undergoing foot surgery, but Mike Woodson’s squad has a lot of talent and depth to fill the void left by Johnson. Jalen Hood-Schifino and Trayce Jackson-Davis still figure to be one of the most effective tandems in the conference, and it feels a bit premature to make Purdue +105 favorites so early in the season. The Big Ten is shaping up to be a dog fight yet again, so I’ll fade the favorites and ride with a team that has been pushed aside despite losing only to Rutgers at the RAC, Arizona on a neutral and Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse as they enter conference play.
Where Can I Bet on the Big Ten Men’s College Basketball Champion?
There are tons of legal online sportsbooks in the US. DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM are some of the most popular ones, but FTN will help you check out all the signup offers other books have as well. Be sure to check out the FTNBets College Basketball Guide before placing any wagers.
Step 1: Set Up a Sportsbook Account
Download any of the sportsbooks linked above, create an account and provide some basic personal information.
Step 2: Make a Deposit
Link your bank account or debit card to your account, or select an alternative method to make a deposit. Be sure to take advantage of any and all deposit bonuses that your sportsbook offers. It’s a great way for new bettors to build up their bankroll.
Step 3: Place a College Basketball Conference Outright Futures Bet
Within your sportsbook, navigate to the men’s college basketball futures section, find the conference outright or conference winners section and bet on the team you think is going to take home the conference crown.