The most prominent site for college basketball analytics, KenPom.com, recently updated its program ratings to include the 2023-24 season.
The methodology for his rankings are explained here in more detail, but here’s an excerpt from Ken’s explanation:
“Theoretically, the rating should be an indicator of the success we should expect each program to have over some sort of extended period in the future (like many years). But it may be more useful as trying to capture the perception of a program. Consider it a guide to how coaches and players might consider the currently hierarchy of college basketball when entertaining job or scholarship offers.”
With Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC now officially in the conference, we’ve included all four programs to get a current snapshot of the league, which now has 18 teams.
Here is how each Big Ten program stacks up in Ken’s ratings dating back to 1997, including best and worst KenPom rating, median KenPom rank and NCAA tournament appearances:
(The top five programs in KenPom since 1997 are Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina and Arizona.)
88. Northwestern
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 38 (2023)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 257 (2000)
Median KenPom rank: 95
NCAA tournament appearances: 3
82. Nebraska
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 30 (2024)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 162 (2020)
Median KenPom rank: 84
NCAA tournament appearances: 3
79. Penn State
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 19 (2018)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 227 (2004)
Median KenPom rank: 84
NCAA tournament appearances: 3
77. Rutgers
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 28 (2020)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 279 (2016)
Median KenPom rank: 105
NCAA tournament appearances: 2
67. Minnesota
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 3 (1997)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 216 (2023)
Median KenPom rank: 55
NCAA tournament appearances: 8
51. Washington
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 14 (2005)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 181 (2001)
Median KenPom rank: 67
NCAA tournament appearances: 9
46. Iowa
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 7 (2021)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 174 (2010)
Median KenPom rank: 39
NCAA tournament appearances: 11
34. USC
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 6 (2021)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 220 (2012)
Median KenPom rank: 54
NCAA tournament appearances: 11
24. Oregon
Best KenPom finish since 1997: 9 (2002)
Worst KenPom finish since 1997: 159 (2009)
Median KenPom rank: 43
NCAA tournament appearances: 13
23. Indiana
Best KenPom…