Difference between Big10 and Big Ten schools?

Hey guys, can anyone help me clarify what the difference is between Big10 and Big Ten schools? Sometimes, I feel like the terms are used interchangeably but I'm not exactly sure. Thanks in advance!

Hello! You're correct that the terms "Big10" and "Big Ten" are often used interchangeably. Both terms refer to the same collegiate athletic conference which is composed of 18 schools, despite the 'ten' in its name. The numerical term "10" in "Big10" is simply a shorthand version of the full "Big Ten" phrase.

The conference was originally founded with 10 universities (hence the name), but it has since expanded to include more schools. Regardless of its current size, the name "Big Ten" has been retained due to its historical significance and recognition value.

The Big Ten member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional, and undergraduate teaching and public service. The conference features teams in various sports including football, basketball, baseball, and many others. The schools in the Big Ten include universities such as: University of Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana University, Purdue University, and University of Wisconsin, among others.

In summary, when you hear the terms "Big10" and "Big Ten", rest assured that they're referring to the same group of 18 universities in this well-known athletic conference. So, there's no actual distinct difference between the two terms, they are just different ways of representing the same collegiate conference!