Final Four 2012: Where Ohio State Ranks Among Greatest Big Ten Teams Ever

Now that Ohio State has punched its ticket to the Final Four, it is time to compare the Buckeyes to some all-time great teams.

Sure, it may be a little premature, but this Buckeyes team is one of the most talented in recent memory, and they have a very good chance of winning the whole thing. Accordingly, I've decided to size them up to the greatest Big Ten teams of all time.

The Big Ten is one of the most consistent basketball conferences in history, and there have been some great teams. Here is how the 2012 Ohio State Buckeyes match up with the all-time greats.

10. 2007 Ohio State

Even though Greg Oden never amounted to much in the NBA, it was fun to watch him play in college (when he could play).

Even though it was a slightly up-and-down season, Oden and Mike Conley led Ohio State to the national championship game. The Buckeyes were finally firing on all cylinders, and they looked like the makings of a champion.

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, the Florida Gators were back for their second title, and Billy Donovan's crew (with MOP Corey Brewer leading the way) claimed its second straight title.

Even though it didn't win it all, this Ohio State team was one of the most talented and mature teams in NCAA history.

9. 2001 Michigan State

The 2001 Michigan State Spartans looked like they would be back-to-back champs.

Charlie Bell, Jason Richardson and Zach Randolph led Sparty back to the Final Four. However, they were destroyed by Arizona in the national semifinal.

The Spartans had cruised to the Final Four, but Gilbert Arenas and Richard Jefferson were just too much. Given that this Final Four had some serious NBA talent, it's no shame for the Spartans to have lost.

This run proved that Tom Izzo truly was a great coach, and he's kept building on that reputation.

8. 2012 Ohio State

The jury is still out on this year's team, but right now the 2012 Buckeyes slide into the eighth spot.

If it wins the title, Ohio State could climb a little higher. Until then, the Buckeyes will be sitting here.

Jared Sullinger is one of the best big men in the country. He's slowly developing a mid-range and outside game, which will make him a legitimate scoring threat at the next level. Even still, he has one of the best, most physical post games in college basketball.

Aaron Craft is a leader on the perimeter, and he is one of the best defenders in the country. He can defend any ball handler straight up, and he is good enough to prevent them from even catching the ball. He can take away the opponent's best player, which is one of the most valuable assets in the college game.

Thad Matta is a four-time conference coach of the year in three different conferences, but he has never won the big one. This year is his best chance to win a title because it is by far his most talented team.

The Buckeyes are great. They just need to prove it.

7. 2000 Michigan State

The 2000 Michigan State Spartans will always be Tom Izzo's greatest team. While it may not be the most talented, this Michigan State team was the first time people thought of Izzo as a great coach.

Following a Final Four trip in 1999, Sparty kicked off the new millennium with a championship. They rolled through the tournament, winning each game by double digits.

Mo Peterson and Mateen Cleaves led the way, with Cleaves winning the Most Outstanding Player. Even though they didn't have much NBA success, they will always be remembered as one of the greatest Big Ten teams of all time.

6. 2005 Illinois

The 2005 Illinois team was one of the most fun teams in college basketball history.

With the speed of Dee Brown, the shooting of Luther Head, the strength of James Augustine and the leadership of Deron Williams, this was one of the most talented teams in NCAA history.

From early December on, the Fighting Illini were ranked No. 1 in the country. They went undefeated until the last game of the regular season, which they lost to Ohio State by one. The team regrouped and won its next six games by double digits.

After a miracle win against Salim Stoudemire's Arizona team, Illinois beat up Louisville to reach the championship game. Illinois did not play well, and the team just didn't have enough left in the tank to beat a talent-laden North Carolina.

Even though they lost in the title game, the 2005 Fighting Illini were one of the most talented college basketball teams of all time.

5. 1987 Indiana

Indiana's run from the late-70s into the late-80s was one of the greatest runs in NCAA history.

Bob Knight coached three national champions in that time period, and each team had something unique about it. The 1987 team just had a way of winning games.

"This team played the last five minutes of critical games as well as I've ever seen a team play," said Knight in "Glory of Old IU."

The team was led by Steve Alford, the Big 10 Player of the Year; Dean Garrett, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year; and Keith Smart, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Each player stepped up when necessary, and they all knew their role on the team.

When you add it all up, you have one of the toughest, grittiest and greatest champions of all time.

4. 1989 Michigan

First off, the 1989 Michigan uniforms were some of the greatest of all time.

Secondly, the 1989 Wolverines were one of the greatest teams of all time.

With the Fab Five teams being erased from the record books, this Michigan team was by default the greatest in school history. Glen Rice led the team in scoring with an astounding 25.6 points per game average.

The Wolverines were known for their efficiency. Their 56.6 percent shooting average as a team still ranks second in NCAA single-season history. Essentially, Michigan simply didn't miss shots.

Michigan had four other players (other than Rice) that averaged double figures, making this team one of the deepest in history. Despite being overshadowed by the Fab Five teams, this Michigan team had what it took to win it all, which is something those "great" Michigan teams never could.

3. 1981 Indiana

The 1981 Indiana Hoosiers were not one of the best regular season teams of all time, but they came to play in the NCAA tournament.

Bob Knight coached the Hoosiers to his second title, and he defeated another coaching legend, Dean Smith. The two are among the greatest coaches of all time, and this matchup was just a precursor of the greatness yet to come.

Isiah Thomas was Indiana's leader on the floor, and he helped the Hoosiers win every game by double digits. Indiana was really good, and it made sure everyone knew it by the end of the tournament.

Even though they were a three seed, the 1981 Hoosiers were one of the greatest teams of all time.

2. 1979 Michigan State

When you have one of the greatest players of all time, it's pretty easy to see how you could roll to a national title.

As a sophomore, Magic Johnson led Sparty to a title, winning the final game over Larry Bird's Indiana State Sycamores. It was the first step in Johnson's greatness, and this title game was just a preview of the outstanding things to come from both of them.

Even though he didn't have success in the NBA, Greg Kelser was also an intricate part of this team. Even though Johnson earned all the accolades and respect, Kelser did enough to get selected fourth overall in the NBA draft, and that counts for something.

Johnson is one of the greatest players of all time, and he is the main reason this team is remembered as one of the greatest of all time.

1. 1976 Indiana

When you don't lose a game, it's tough to say anybody was better than you.

Simply put, this undefeated Indiana Hoosiers team is the greatest college basketball team of all time. They didn't lose a game, and the Hoosiers absolutely eviscerated teams.

Bob Knight won his first title with this team, and the Hoosiers didn't leave much doubt. From the start of the season until the finish, it was clear that Indiana was not a team to be reckoned with.

The Hoosiers were a balanced squad, with Tom Abernathy, Kent Benson, Quinn Buckner and Scott May all stepping up when called upon. May led the team with 23.5 points per game, but everyone and anyone could score.

The 1976 Hoosiers were one of the deepest and most talented teams in history. More importantly, they were the greatest team in history.