Big Ten: Are They Contenders?

The Illinois Fighting Illini have recently won three in a row and are 1 1/2 games out of the Big Ten leader Michigan State.  Is anyone really talking about a Big Ten team to be the national championship winner?  I have heard the North Carolina's, the Duke's, and the Oklahoma's but where are the Michigan State's or the Fighting Illini's?  Michigan has beat UCLA and Duke this year, Illinois and Michigan State have both beat Michigan.  Illinois has beat down number 10 Missouri and barely lost to a good Clemson team because they did not get a shot off at the last second.  Michigan State has beat Illinois and is a prime contender in the NCAA with coach Izzo.  Not to mention they are ranked fifth.  So where is the love for the Big Ten?  Maybe the so called "Analysts" can tell me this.  My prediction is that Illinois and Michigan State will both clinch an elite eight spot in the tournament.