Want to know why Big Ten Conference men's basketball is experiencing a resurgence?

Simple. The Big Ten has its best collection of coaches ever.

With the exception of the University of Wisconsin's Bo Ryan and Michigan State's Tom Izzo, every coach reached the NCAA tournament at least once at another school. And Izzo won an NCAA title with the Spartans, while Ryan won four NCAA Division III titles at UW-Platteville.

Minnesota's Tubby Smith also has won an NCAA title and Illinois' Bruce Weber, Ohio State's Thad Matta and Indiana's Tom Crean, the only newcomer this season, have reached the Final Four.

With Smith, Michigan's John Beilein and Iowa's Todd Lickliter making their presence felt in their second seasons, the Big Ten has been the talk of college hoops during the non-conference season.

So how will the Big Ten race play out? Here's one prediction, going from first to worst:

Michigan State: The Spartans have the Big Ten's most efficient point guard in Kalin Lucas and its deepest frontcourt now that Goran Suton is healthy. Only a shaky defense could keep Izzo from his first title since 2001.

Purdue: The Boilermakers have experience, depth, defense and motivation after finishing second to UW last season with largely the same cast. If sophomore JaJuan Johnson becomes a force in the middle, look out.

Wisconsin: Although it is 0-3 against ranked teams, UW showed against Texas that it could play with the best. For the Badgers to repeat, their young players, especially sophomore center Keaton Nankivil, must produce consistently.

Michigan: Combine two of the Big Ten's best players — Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims — with Beilein's funky offensive and defensive styles and you have a team that can beat anyone. Depth, however, is a concern.

Illinois: After a rare down year, the Illini are making noise behind a deep backcourt and a trio of talented sophomores — Demetri McCamey, Mike Davis and 7-foot-1 Mike Tisdale. A lack of beef inside could be a problem.

Minnesota: The Gophers are unbeaten behind a solid backcourt and the shot-blocking of twin towers Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III. Freshmen big men tend to struggle in the Big Ten, though.

Ohio State: Though 7-0 freshman B.J. Mullens has had little impact, sophomore Dallas Lauderdale has become a shot-blocking machine, keying a strong defense. The biggest issue is replacing point guard Jamar Butler.

Penn State: Led by dynamic guard Talor Battle, this team is coach Ed DeChellis' best at Penn State. However, a lack of size will doom the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten.

Northwestern: Scorers Kevin Coble and Craig Moore fit nicely with some promising freshman big men, but the Wildcats might have to settle for being the best ninth-place team in Big Ten history.

Iowa: The top scorers — guards Anthony Tucker and Matt Gatens — are freshmen, so it'll probably be another year before Lickliter's team makes a move upward.

Indiana: The hard-working Crean will revive this decimated program eventually, but this season the Hoosiers will have to work hard to avoid becoming the Detroit Lions.