Shout it proudly: Michigan, Michigan State and Big Ten hoops loaded

You got sick of being bullied all football season, didn’t you? The Big Ten was bashed and beaten, and in certain parts of the country, Big Ten fans weren’t even legally allowed to look SEC fans in the eyes.
Well, well, look what we have now. The Big Ten is back as a national power, the most fiercely competitive conference in the country — in basketball.
And look at two of the programs near the top. Michigan is ranked No. 2 and Michigan State No. 13. They have a combined 11-2 record, and it’s not a reach to suggest they’ll finish the season with fewer combined losses than their football teams (10).
Enjoy it. Relish it. With three conference teams in the nation’s top four — Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State — you’re entitled to proudly stick your chubby chest out.
And also, recognize what it means. The days of the Big Ten being a basketball power are back, which suggests the days of being a football force aren’t over. This shows the old formula — hiring good coaches, investing in programs, recruiting well to fit your system — still works. Yes, in football too. Keep saying that to yourself while watching Nebraska and Wisconsin slop around in the championship game Saturday night. (For the record: Nebraska wins 30-21.)
Michigan, Indiana and Ohio State are legitimate national championship contenders. So is Michigan State. Tom Izzo had to know this time was coming, when the rest of the conference would find a way to compete with his program. In some ways, he’s paying for his own success — I think he actually pushed others that grew tired of getting pummeled.
Michigan finally invested heavily, starting with highly respected coach John Beilein. The renovated Crisler Center and the attached practice facility are spectacular. The main reason Michigan spent a couple decades failing to compete at the highest basketball level was its NCAA probation, compounded by a lack of financial and infrastructure commitment. Losing repeatedly to your primary rivals can change that.
Beilein’s team is so loaded, especially on offense, he ought to wear a white lab coat to practice, shaking beakers and moving pieces around. With impact freshmen Glenn Robinson III, Mitch McGary and Canadian sharpshooter Nik Stauskas joining a core led by Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr., the Wolverines are as deep and talented as they’ve been since, shhhhh, the Fab Five days.
Indiana is back after probation, No. 1 in the country, led by Tom Crean, the intense Izzo disciple. Thad Matta already had a perennial top-10 program at Ohio State, and Bo Ryan will keep Wisconsin competitive. Even Minnesota and Illinois are rising again.
And Michigan State isn’t going away, not even close. The Spartans have had a couple early injuries and rough losses, but if Keith Appling takes charge, and freshman Gary Harris is as good as he appears, Izzo’s bunch will be right there at the end. The Spartans always will be terrific on defense and rebounding. The Wolverines are developing into a much tougher rebounding team, and their defensive improvement has to continue.
Michigan and Michigan State in the Final Four of basketball? I bet they’ll get there before either reaches the new Final Four of football. That may be blasphemous, but after a thoroughly humbling autumn, weary Big Ten fans deserve this wildly entertaining winter.
Bob.wojnowski@detnews.com