Indiana — Big Ten champs once again
Indiana — Big Ten champs once again.
Indiana has won at least a share of the 2016 Big Ten championship, giving the Hoosiers 22 regular-season crowns and matching Purdue with the most in league history.
No. 8 Iowa’s loss at Ohio State today secured at least a share of the Big Ten title for Indiana.
The Hoosiers are 13-3 in the Big Ten with two games to play. Every other Big Ten team has at least five conference losses.
The next Indiana win would give the Hoosiers the Big Ten title outright.
The 18th-ranked Hoosiers (23-6) play at Iowa on Tuesday and host Maryland on Sunday in their regular-season finale.
"We are honored to have secured a share of the Big Ten championship, which means a great deal to the young men in our program and their families, our staff and their families and to the many loyal Hoosier fans across the state of Indiana and the nation," Crean said on Monday.
"Winning a championship is not easy and this accomplishment is a testament to the hard work, perseverance and character of our team. I know this means a lot right now, but it will mean even more later."
Behind senior point guard Yogi Ferrell, juniors Troy Williams and Collin Hartman, sophomore Robert Johnson and freshman Thomas Bryant, the Hoosiers captured the 2016 Big Ten crown.
Even though Indiana lost second-leading scorer James Blackmon Jr. to knee surgery after 13 games, coach Tom Crean led the Hoosiers to their second league crown in four years.
IU received contributions during the year from a number of players, including OG Anunoby, Max Bielfeldt, Nick Zeisloft and Juwan Morgan, some of the younger players really progressing as the season went along.
Ferrell joins Calbert Cheaney, Don Schlundt, Damon Bailey and Kent Benson as the only IU players to rank in the top 10 all-time in scoring and win multiple Big Ten titles.
Ferrell also is Indiana's all-time leader in assists and games started.
He needs two assists to become the second Big Ten player with at least 1,800 points, 600 assists and 400 rebounds, joining Dee Brown of Illinois.
IU won the 2013 Big Ten championship with a 72-71 win at No. 7 Michigan.
This is IU's first four-year period with multiple Big Ten titles since since IU won the league in 1991 and 1993.
That team was led by top-four NBA draft picks Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller and also including two other 1,000-point scorers in Jordan Hulls and Christian Watford.
Indiana won outright Big Ten crows in 1953, 1954, 1958, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1989, 1993 and 2013.
IU shared Big Ten titles in 1926, 1928, 1936, 1957, 1967, 1974, 1987, 1991 and 2002.
Indiana’s 2016 Big Ten title will be shared or outright depending on how IU does in its final two regular-season games.
Most Big Ten regular season championships, including shared. (Year of last title).
22 — Indiana (2016)
22 — Purdue (2010)
20 — Ohio State (2012)
18 — Wisconsin (2015)
17 — Illinois (2005)
14 — Michigan (2014)
13 — Michigan State (2012)
8 — Iowa (1979)
8 — Minnesota (1982)
6 — Chicago (1924)
2 — Northwestern (1933)
SEE ALSO: Tom Crean watches two of the state's top young prospects go head to head
SEE ALSO: With the Big Ten title race tight, Indiana needed a spark. Yogi Ferrell lit a bonfire
SEE ALSO: Max Bielfeldt helps guide Indiana past Purdue.
Here are some of the Big Ten records held or shared by Indiana:
Most Big Ten regular-season titles: 22 (tied)
Most NCAA championships: Five
Most NCAA Tournament appearances: 38
Most NCAA Tournament wins: 64
Most NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Players: Four (Marv Huffman, 1940; Kent Benson, 1976; Isiah Thomas, 1981; Keith Smart, 1987)
Most NBA draft picks: 74
Most All-Big Ten selections: 58
Most teams to go 18-0 in conference play: 2 (1975, 1976, only Big Ten teams to do so).
Most teams to go 17-1 in conference play: 2 (1953, 1993; only Big Ten teams to do so).
All-time leading conference scorer: Calbert Cheaney (2,613 from 1990-93).
Most rebounds in a Big Ten game: Walt Bellamy, 33.
Most 3-pointers made in a game: 19 (vs. Illinois, 2016).