As impressive as Michigan State's run to the championship was, Wisconsin's magical ride to Indianapolis might have been the best story of the year. With leaping ability in short supply, the Badgers scratched and clawed their way to the Final Four, executing Dick Bennett's sit-on-the-ball-until-it-hatches system to the letter.

For all those who didn't enjoy Wisconsin's pre-shot clock era style, get used to it. The Badgers lose just two players from last year's squad -- shooting guards Duany Duany and Jon Bryant. If they're able to execute like they did in the tourney, they could make a huge improvement over last year's 8-8 conference record.

Illinois, which finished fourth in the conference, returns all five starters and four of its top five substitutes. Now the Illini just need a coach. Whoever assumes the reigns at Illinois will not only have a Top 10 team on their hands, but also a vast recruiting base.

Michigan State loses just two players -- Morris Peterson and Mateen Cleaves. The Spartans have a wealth of experience, but making up for the loss of their top two scorers -- and, more importantly, their floor general -- will prove difficult.

For now, the Big Ten can sit on its success. With two Final Four teams and the reigning National Champion in Michigan State, it's safe to say they've earned bragging rights in college basketball circles.

Conference champion

The Spartans ended up in a deadlock with Ohio State atop the Big Ten standings.

The two teams split the season series, but Michigan State blew a chance at an outright title with an overtime loss to Indiana on Feb. 26.

The Buckeyes, Final Four participants in '99, flamed out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Biggest disappointment

Indiana, which started strong and did another late season belly-flop, including an embarrassing first-round tourney loss to Pepperdine.

With senior guards A.J. Guyton and Michael Lewis directing the offense, the Hoosiers rocketed to a 12-1 start before dropping a 77-71 overtime decision to Michigan State. Indiana was never the same after that loss, going 8-7 down the stretch, including three consecutive losses to end the season.

Biggest surprise

Wisconsin, which finished .500 in conference and then unleashed a wicked, 32-seconds-and-a-long-3-pointer offense on four unsuspecting NCAA Tournament foes.

The Badgers proved that it's never too late to buy into the coach's system (no matter how archaic it might be). With all 15 players on the same page, Wisconsin was able to shorten the game and force its opponent to out-ugly them. Purdue came awfully close, but only Michigan State proved to be up to the challenge.

Player of the year

Mateen Cleaves, with a nod to teammate Morris Peterson.

Take Cleaves away from the Spartans and you have the Blowfish without Hootie or the Pips without Gladys Knight. Yes, he was just that important.

He averaged a modest 11.9 points, but statistics don't even tell half the story with Cleaves. He was the undisputed leader of the best team in the country and his worth has to be measured in wins and losses.

Coach of the year

Tom Izzo kept his team together when they didn't have Cleaves and squeezed every last ounce of ability out of each and every player on his roster.

Izzo is so highly thought of that the Atlanta Hawks offered him a lucrative contract to become their next coach. After some reflection and a meeting with Hawks GM Pete Babcock, Izzo wisely decided to remain in East Lansing.

The future

With the General front and center, the Big 10 should have very few dull moments in 2000-01.

Bob Knight and his Indiana program will be under a microscope as Knight attempts to live up to his zero-tolerance guidelines. More than that, though, Knight needs to start fielding teams that peak in February, not fade.

While the spotlight shines down on Knight, Ohio State will try to replace its vaunted backcourt of Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd; Michigan State loses its two best players in Cleaves and Peterson; A.J. Guyton has exhausted his eligibility at Indiana; and Brian Cardinal, he of the floor burn and cross body check, graduated from Purdue.

While these schools struggle to scrape together an identity, watch for well-seasoned Illinois (provided they hire a coach sometime soon) and Wisconsin to hover around the top of the Big Ten.