That’s exactly right and that’s how it usually works - best player on the best team!
Normally yes but not always.
2022- Illinois and Wisconsin shared and Johnny Davis was the come out of nowhere dude and won the POY award.
2021- Luka Garza won POY, Iowa finished with 3 more losses than B1G champs Michigan(though plenty of complaining since Michigan played 3 less games)
2020- Luka Garza won POY. Maryland, MSU and Wisconsin tied for 1st at 14-6 and Iowa was 3 games back.
2019- Cassius Winston won POY. Michigan State and Purdue shared the B1G title.
2018- Keita Bates-Diop won POY. OSU finished a game behind B1G Champs MSU.
2017- Swanigan(RIP) won POY and Purdue won the B1G.
2016- Denzel Valentine won POY and MSU finished 2 games behind Indiana.
2015- Frank the Tank won POY and Wisconsin won the B1G.
2014- Nik Stauskas won POY and Michigan won the B1G.
2013- Trey Burke won POY and Indiana won the B1G.
2012- Michigan, MSU, OSU shared the B1G and Draymond Green won POY.
2011- JaJuan Johnson won POY and Purdue finished 2 games back from Champs Ohio State.
2010- Purdue, MSU and OSU shared and Evan Turner won POY.
2009- Kalin Lucas won POY and MSU won the B1G.
2008- DJ White won POY and Indiana finished 2 games behind champs Wisconsin.
2007- Alando Tucker won POY and Wisconsin finished 2 games behind champs Ohio State.
2006- Terrance Dials won POY and OSU won the B1G.
2005- Dee Brown won POY and Illinois won the B1G.
2004- Devin Harris won POY and Illinois won the B1G.
2003- Brian Cook won POY and Wisconsin won the B1G.
2002- Jared Jeffries won POY and Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Illinois shared the B1G.
2001- Frank Williams won POY and Illinois and MSU shared the B1G.
2000- Ohio State and Michigan State won the B1G. Mo Pete and AJ Guyton were Co-POYs. Indiana finished 3 games behind the champs. Was the last time there were Co-POYs.
So 11 out of the last 23 times since 2000 a player has won B1G POY without winning the B1G and most of the time 2+ games back from the champs.