The Big Ten didn't schedule Illinois-Wisconsin on the final Wednesday of the regular season thinking it would decide the conference title.

Considering where the Illini and Badgers have finished in the standings the past few years, it's a good thing the game showed up so late on the 2002-03 schedule.

	The freshmen around seniors Cook and Harrington helped the Illini exceed expectations.

"This is pretty rare," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "The last two years we've had a piece of the title, but we didn't get it with a head-to-head matchup. This is rare but this is good, really good for the league."

Like Illinois, Wisconsin was one of four teams that shared the 2001-02 regular season title. But, also like Illinois, the Badgers weren't expected to be in this position. Illinois (20-5, 10-4 Big Ten) had one of the best returning players in Brian Cook, but the rest of the lineup was dominated by underclassmen. Wisconsin (21-6, 11-4 Big Ten) was simply Kirk Penney and everyone else. At least that was the national perception.

The preseason favorites? That honor went to Michigan State or Indiana. Both can be found on the bubble.

Instead, the Illini and the Badgers emerged as the two title contenders from a muddled Big Ten. The pair are two games better entering the final week of the regular season than Purdue, Michigan and Minnesota.

"There's no way I would have thought in November this would have happened, at least for us," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. "Maybe you would have thought Illinois because of Brian Cook. But we had such a young squad."

The difference has been the play of freshmen guards on both squads.

Illinois' point guard Dee Brown emerged as one of the top scoring guards in the country, regardless of class. Wisconsin, meanwhile, entered the season needing more athleticism on the wing, maybe a bit more flash from the perimeter. The Badgers received both with Alando Tucker.

Both players continue to give their teams the passion and attitude that wasn't nearly as prevalent in the returning players. Ryan wants to run, not stand still like the days of old under Dick Bennett. Tucker allows him to get out on the break even quicker.

Self says the key to Wednesday's game will be keeping the Badgers out of rhythm.

"We've got to create enough havoc to keep them off balance," Self said. Aside from a change in offensive philosophy, an even bigger difference for the Badgers has been their defensive approach. Wisconsin has bought into Ryan's man-to-man system and made itself even more active on the defensive end.

To beat the Illini, the Badgers have to contain Cook and not leave sharp-shooting Sean Harrington, who scored all 12 of his points from behind the 3-point arc Saturday in the Illini's win over Michigan. The Badgers also can't allow the Illini big men to get open looks in transition. That's what Ryan is focused on first.

Wisconsin's regular season ends at home, but the season turned for both squads on the road. Self said the win at Michigan last week was the one the Illini needed to set up a title game. A win at Iowa after losing at Penn State, and then Sunday's victory at Minnesota, put Wisconsin on the verge of claiming the title outright in Madison, Wis.

"The way to win the title is to hold serve at home, go .500 on the road," Self said. "That's the formula and we're both undefeated at home. They've got four wins on the road, we've got three, so something has to give."

Illinois still hosts Minnesota on Sunday and needs to win both games to win the title outright. The Illini clinch a share of the title with a win over Wisconsin.

Minnesota, meanwhile, is just trying to ensure a bid. The Gophers are part of a group of Big Ten teams who could be in great shape, or squarely on the bubble, by week's end.

The Gophers (16-10, 8-7) could still get into the NCAA Tournament with a .500 conference mark. But it would likely take a win or two in the Big Ten tournament to move Minnesota off the bubble if the Gophers lose to the Illini.

Indiana (18-10, 8-7), coming off a win over Minnesota, travels to Penn State this weekend. The Hoosiers still have some of the best early-season wins of any bubble team, claiming the Maui Invitational title and beating Maryland in Indianapolis.

Michigan State (16-11, 8-6), which finishes with Iowa and at Ohio State, has a win over Kentucky that could be the win to push it into the dance.

Purdue (17-9, 9-6) finishes at Michigan, which isn't eligible for the postseason but can play in the Big Ten tournament because of self-imposed sanctions. The Boilermakers' Big Ten record and a win over Louisville will carry enough weight to get them into the dance.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.