ROSEMONT, Ill. — When asked about the Michigan men’s basketball team winning the Big Ten last season, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo quickly interjected.

“(The Wolverines) won the Big Ten Tournament, they didn’t win the Big Ten,” Izzo said Thursday at the Big Ten Basketball Media Days.

There’s truth to Izzo’s comment. Michigan did not win the Big Ten regular season title last season — the Spartans did. While just a comment about semantics, Izzo’s quip highlights a reality of a loaded conference: While the Wolverines are the reigning champion of a Power Five conference, the other Big Ten contenders aren’t ready to hand them another title.

Michigan’s perceived strength is a fact the Big Ten’s toughest teams are currently facing. With an entire season yet to kick off, programs are eager to

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