Michigan, with new coach Dusty May, returned to prominence by securing a second-place finish in the Big Ten and winning the conference tournament before advancing to the Sweet 16.

Wisconsin's Greg Gard led the team to a tie for third place in the Big Ten, achieving a total of 27 wins and overcoming preseason doubts about their success.

Northwestern, Oregon, and Purdue received 'B' grades, showcasing solid seasons but failing to meet the higher expectations set by their previous performances.

In contrast, Indiana and Iowa received 'D' grades, with Indiana's coach Mike Woodson stepping down after failing to make the NCAA tournament and Iowa finishing last in defensive efficiency.

Additionally, Minnesota, Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State, Penn State, and USC were graded 'C' or lower, indicating disappointing seasons with some teams struggling to meet preseason expectations.

The evaluation of the Big Ten men's college basketball teams during the 2024-25 season reveals a diverse range of performances across the 18 teams.

Michigan State, coached by Tom Izzo, surprised many by winning the regular-season title and making it to the Elite Eight, despite lacking top-tier recruits.

Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin all excelled, receiving 'A' grades for their outstanding performances in the NCAA tournament.

Maryland, led by Derik Queen, had one of its best seasons ever, finishing with 27 wins and reaching the Sweet 16 after being projected to finish mid-pack in the Big Ten.

Rutgers and Washington were given an 'F' grade for their disappointing seasons, with Rutgers finishing 11th in the Big Ten despite having top recruits and Washington ending up last overall.

Illinois, under coach Brad Underwood, successfully rebuilt the team, leading them to the second round of the NCAA tournament with strong contributions from projected lottery pick Kasparas Jakucionis.