Big Ten Basketball Tournament

Big Ten Basketball

The first intercollegiate basketball contest resembling the modern day five-on-five game took place in 1896 under the organization skills of Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives (now the Big Ten Conference). Modern day tournament style play evolved out of a championship event that was held in 1906 between the teams from the Big Ten. From 1906 on, various tournaments were held within the Big Ten; however, it was not until 1998 that a formal tournament style event was developed. Despite being one of the forefathers of collegiate basketball, the Big Ten was one of the last organizations to implement an official tournament.

Historically, the tournament is held at a neutral venue, therefore giving no participant the home team advantage. For both men’s and women’s teams, winning the Big Ten Tournament means an automatic bid to the holiest of all basketball events, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament.

Men’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament

One of the largest controversies in collegiate sports took place shortly after the commencement of the very first Big Ten Tournament. A scandal developed which involved the University of Michigan Wolverines when an athletic booster forwarded monetary funds illegally to basketball players totaling $616,000.00. As a result, the NCAA forfeited the Wolverine’s 1998 Big Ten Tournament Championship (and other titles). Subsequently, the men’s Big Ten Tournament Championship has been awarded two times each to Michigan State University, Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Iowa. Wisconsin has taken the title just once, and the other members of the Big Ten Conference have not yet seen a victory.

Women’s Big Ten Basketball Tournament

Lady basketball players in the Big Ten began to compete in tournament style play following the 1976 season. However, these early tournament winners were not recognized as champions of the Big Ten conference. The first official Big Ten Tournament for women followed the1981-1982 season. Strangely, this official tournament took place in the middle of the regular season play and was not effective as a qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Over a decade of deliberation and rescheduling passed. At last coaches of women’s Big Ten teams came to a consensus, and in 1995 women’s basketball teams got their first taste of a tournament that would make or break their future post-season opportunities. Much like the men’s tournament, the winner of the 1995 women’s Big Ten Tournament and each one thereafter automatically advanced on to the NCAA Tournament. The women’s tournament has made many changes and advancements over the years of development. Female ball players are enjoying more equity during their athletic advances, such as the Big Ten logo appearing on all game balls, the winning team now receives a trophy, and every ladies game in the Big Ten Tournament is now televised.