It’s March and all the madness has begun. Ohio State is going dancing for what would be the fifth-straight year (2020 COVID-19 cancellation notwithstanding), and there are a total of nine whopping teams from the Big Ten in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

It’s all about getting to the Final Four when a team sets out at the beginning of the year, and there has definitely been a fair share of teams from the Big Ten reach the promised land in the history of the tournament. But which Big Ten teams sit atop the mountain top of reaching the Final Four, and what teams are nipping on their heels?

Here’s a ranking of all the Big Ten basketball programs and trips to the Final Four. Is there a team from the conference that can pull off the feat this year?

All programs that have never reached the Final Four

Mar 6, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot performs during the second half of the game between the Scarlet Knights and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Big Ten teams that have never reached the Final Four

Rutgers
Northwestern
Iowa
Nebraska

Penn State Nittany Lions - 1 Final Four Appearance

Feb 7, 2018; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions mascot and cheerleaders dance on the court during a stoppage in play against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Firestine-USA TODAY Sports

Year(s) of Appearance

1954

Minnesota Golden Gophers - 1 Final Four Appearance

29 Mar 1997: Guard Eric Harris of the Minnesota Golden Gophers stands on the court during an NCAA Final Four game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kentucky won the game 78 – 69. Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Year(s) of Appearance

1997

Maryland Terrapins - 2 Final Four appearances

Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network

Year(s) of Appearance

2001, 2002*

*Won national title

Purdue Boilermakers - 2 Final Four appearances

Feb. 11, 2020; West Lafayette, Indiana; Purdue Boilermakers mascot Purdue Pete performs after a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mackey Arena. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Year(s) of Appearance

1969, 1980

Wisconsin Badgers - 4 Final Four appearances

Dec 9, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bo Ryan reacts to a call during the game with the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin-Milwaukee defeated Wisconsin 68-67. Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Year(s) of Appearance

1941, 2000, 2014, 2015

Illinois Fighting Illini - 5 Final Four appearances

ST. LOUIS – APRIL 04: The Illinois Fighting Illini take the court during the final seconds against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half of the NCAA Men’s National Championship game at the Edward Jones Dome on April 4, 2005, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Year(s) of Appearance

1949, 1951, 1952, 1989, 2005

Michigan Wolverines - 8 Final Four appearances**

8 Mar 1992: Michigan Wolverines forward Juwan Howard, guard Jalen Rose, and forward Chris Webber (L-R) look on during a game against the Indiana Pacers. Credit: USA TODAY Sports Network

Year(s) of Appearance

1964, 1965, 1976, 1989*, 1992**, 1993**, 2013, 2018)

* Won national title
** Vacated because of NCAA penalty

Michigan State Spartans - 9 Final Four appearances

Mar 26, 1979; Salt Lake City, UT, USA, FILE PHOTO; Michigan State Spartans guard Magic Johnson (32) in action against the Indiana State Sycamores during the 1979 Final Four championship at the Special Events Center. Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Year(s) of Appearance

1957, 1979, 1999, 2000*, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019

* Won national title

Ohio State Buckeyes - 11 Final Four appearances**

Mar 31, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Travis Releford (24) attempts to steal the ball from Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jared Sullinger (0) as guard Tyshawn Taylor (10) and forward Thomas Robinson (far right) defend during the second half in the semifinals of the 2012 NCAA men’s basketball Final Four at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Year(s) of Appearance

1939, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1960*, 1961, 1962, 1968, 1999**, 2007, 2012,

* Won national title
** Vacated because of NCAA penalty

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