Dan Wetzel Apr 1, 2026, 08:00 AM ET Close Dan Wetzel is a senior writer focused on investigative reporting, news analysis and feature storytelling. Last week, after Michigan became one of four Big Ten teams to reach the men's Elite Eight, coach Dusty May was asked how recent rule changes around compensation in college athletics had helped league teams have such success. "You'd have to catch me off the record to answer that question," May said with a smile. The implication was clear: Now that every school can pay players -- either through direct revenue share or via name, image and likeness dollars -- Big Ten schools are no longer disadvantaged in recruiting by everything from booster bag men to shoe company AAU connections. This narrative, of course, ignores many past scandals in the league, let alone that the Big Ten has produced plenty of contenders through the years. It just hasn't won it all since Michigan State in 2000. The overall sentiment is somewhat fair, however.…