Big Ten Tournament Prediction 2018

Vince Edwards & Isaac Haas, Purdue

First Round
12 Iowa Hawkeyes 71
13 Illinois Fighting Illini 64
Neither Iowa nor Illinois will be going to the postseason this year, but this first round game gives the two an opportunity to build momentum for more experienced squads in '18-'19. The Illini have the slightly better record, but Iowa is a dangerous team offensively, fourth in the nation in assists. That offense should be enough for them to move on.

11 Minnesota Golden Gophers 67
14 Rutgers Scarlet Knights 61
Minnesota has been maybe the most disappointing team in the conference this year, as injuries and a lack of depth have haunted them. However, the backcourt of senior Nate Mason and true freshman Isaiah Washington should give them enough offensive punch to overcome the struggling Scarlet Knights.

Second Round
9 Wisconsin 65
8 Maryland 59
It looks like Wisconsin is going to miss their first NCAA Tournament this millennium, but there is no denying they've played much better in the season's second half. Freshman guard Brad Davison has been on fire as of late, and should be able to outplay Maryland's star guard Anthony Cowan.

5 Michigan 74
12 Iowa 70
The Hawkeyes aren't going to go on a Cinderella run here, but it should be a pretty good offensive display between the two. Iowa just doesn't have anybody to shut down Mo Wagner inside, nor somebody to counter Duncan Robinson's scary shooting ability.

10 Northwestern 66
7 Penn State 64
Penn State is on the bubble right now which should give them extra motivation, but the bad news is the Nittany Lions will likely be without stud center Mike Watkins, who went down with a knee injury last Wednesday. That doesn't doom them, but it could be the X-factor against a very experienced Northwestern squad.

6 Indiana 72
11 Minnesota 61
After a brutal non-conference stretch, Indiana has rebounded really nicely in conference play, and the future appears bright for Archie Miller in Bloomington. Jordan Murphy will be a load to handle down low, but the Hoosiers' superior shooting leads them to a comfortable win against the Gophers.

Quarterfinal
9 Wisconsin 60
1 Michigan State 68
The Badgers nearly upset Michigan State at home this past weekend, and they should be able to compete with the Spartans. However, unless Davison or forward Ethan Happ have the game of their lives, the depth and experience of MSU will be too much.

5 Michigan 78
4 Nebraska 73
Sitting firmly on the bubble this one will be critical for Nebraska's Tournament chances. The Wolverines will have to contain the explosive scoring James Palmer Jr., but Nebraska just doesn't have the depth nor low post scoring needed to take down this Michigan team.

10 Northwestern 69
2 Ohio State 80
The Buckeyes have been the coolest story in the Big Ten this year, as first year head coach Chris Holtmann has had a wonderful season with the help of a number of resurgent veterans. Keita Bates-Diop and versatile Jae'Sean Tate will be too much for the Wildcats to handle.

6 Indiana 70
3 Purdue 82
Fierce in-state rivals they may be, but Indiana just isn't at Purdue's level right now in terms of talent or experience. If Isaac Haas and Vince Edwards doesn't doom them, the three-point shooting of Carsen Edwards and Dakota Matthias certainly will.

Semifinal
5 Michigan 76
1 Michigan State 75
It isn't going to be the run they made last season after their airplane crash scare, but I think Michigan can go on another conference tourney run. They're a balanced, well-rounded team and have proven they can beat Michigan State, who still struggles with consistency.

2 Ohio State 71
3 Purdue 79
Ohio State did just beat Purdue recently, but I like the Boilermakers in a rematch here at Madison Square Garden. Ohio State doesn't have a very good frontline, which leaves them very vulnerable against Haas and company. Purdue's strong defense should also put them in good position to contain OSU's athletic wings.

Big Ten Championship
5 Michigan 68
3 Purdue 72
Despite the fact they have slowed down as of late, Purdue has the makeup of a team that should be able to win in March. They play both ends as well as anybody in the country, and they have the depth and veteran leadership to get the job done. They should be able to take down Wagner and company in the Championship game.

Big Ten Champ: 3 Purdue Boilermakers

NCAA Tournament 2018: In/Out For Top Bubble Teams

Trae Young, Oklahoma

With regular season conference play beginning to wind down, and conference tournaments on the very near horizon, the NCAA Tournament bubble watch heats up. A strong cast of teams are competing for limited spots in the Field of 68, and there is sure to be a lot of debate about which teams should qualify to play in the Big Dance. As of right now, here is my opinion on which teams should get in, and which teams still need to buff up their resume.

Syracuse Orange (18-10, 7-8 ACC)
RPI: 37
SOS: 57
Best Win: @ Miami
Syracuse has been a constant bubble team over the last couple seasons, and that is certainly the case once more in 2018. This team has legitimate talent and having legendary head coach Jim Boeheim on the sideline is clearly an advantage, but their resume is relatively underwhelming. Playing in the ACC, which the Selection Committee is known to favor, will help, but Syracuse's best win is on the road against a good, not great, Miami squad. Beating Duke on the road or upsetting Clemson at home would go a long way in helping their chances, but as of right now, this team just doesn't have the resume to be an NCAA Tournament team.
Verdict: Out

Texas Longhorns (17-12, 7-9 Big 12)
RPI: 52
SOS: 3
Best Win: vs. Texas Tech
With Oklahoma struggling lately, the Big 12 has a big chunk of teams sitting firmly on the bubble, including Kansas State, Baylor and the Longhorns. Texas may sit at 16-12 and under .500 in the conference, but they are helped by an extremely impressive strength of schedule, and they have opportunities down the road to strengthen their resume. They end the regular season with a road trip to Kansas and a showdown with West Virginia. Winning either one of those games and putting together a solid performance in the Big 12 tournament makes them essentially a lock. The Longhorns' RPI is low and there are still questions about this team, but the Mo Bamba-led 'Horns are in if I'm on the Committee.
Verdict: In

Oklahoma Sooners (16-11, 6-9 Big 12)
RPI: 31
SOS: 1
Best Win: vs. Kansas
If you want great evidence on just how quickly things can change in college basketball, look no further than Oklahoma. The Sooners were one of the Top 16 seeded teams just 12 days ago, but has now lost six straight, and finds themselves on the bubble. A weak conference record hurts them, as does some bad losses (Oklahoma State, Iowa State). However, Oklahoma is helped by a big victory against Kansas and a strong non-conference showing, where they beat Wichita State and USC. Having Trae Young is also a huge advantage; the high-scoring point guard has a huge following and would draw tons of viewers, which the Committee also tends to factor into when selecting teams.
Verdict: In

Nebraska Cornhuskers (21-9, 12-5 Big Ten)
RPI: 61
SOS: 60
Best Win: vs. Michigan
It's amazing, but despite being 12-5 in the Big Ten and 21-9 overall, Nebraska finds themselves in a worse position than either Texas or Oklahoma. The reason? A very weak strength of schedule and the fact that the Big Ten overall has been extremely down throughout '17-'18. They are also hurt by a pretty poor showing in the non-conference, where they lost to UCF and St. John's, although that St. John's loss doesn't look quite as bad in retrospective. Nebraska finishes the regular season with a meeting against Penn State, another team on the bubble watch. A win there will help, but how the 'Huskers perform in the conference tournament will really decide their NCAA Tournament destiny. As of right now, that weak SOS likely dooms them.
Verdict: Out

St. Bonaventure Bonnies (22-6, 12-4 A-10)
RPI: 26
SOS: 91
Best Win: vs. Rhode Island
While Rhode Island appears to be the clear favorite in the Atlantic 10, St. Bonaventure finds themselves in an interesting spot. The Bonnies don't have an overwhelmingly strong resume and have a poor strength of schedule, but they still sit at 22-6 and second in the conference. They also managed to beat Rhode Island at home earlier on in the year, the only team to beat the Rams in the A-10 in 2018. While their resume isn't great up and down, this win, plus victories over Syracuse and Maryland, should be enough to get this team locked into the NCAA Tournament.
Verdict: In

Other Teams To Watch on the Bubble
USC Trojans
UCLA Bruins
Penn State Nittany Lions
Louisville Cardinals
Baylor Bears
Kansas State Wildcats

Scouting the Contenders: Michigan State Spartans

Cassius Winston, Michigan State

As March Madness slowly inches closer and closer, "Scouting the Contenders" takes a look at some of the nation's best teams in a chaotic race, and scouts their strengths and weaknesses and just how far they could go in the NCAA Tournament. We continue with second-ranked Michigan State, who seems primed to lock down a No. 1 seed.

Track Record:

• 26-3 overall, 14-2 Big Ten
• Notable Wins: 68-65 vs. Purdue, 63-45 vs. UNC, 81-63 vs. Notre Dame
• Notable Losses: 80-64 @ Ohio State, 82-72 vs. Michigan, 88-81 vs. Duke
• Received 21 first-place votes in latest AP poll

Scouting Report: A popular preseason National Title pick, Michigan State has been an enigma for a big chunk of 2017-2018. There is no denying the impressive talent on the roster, and the Spartans do sit at the top of the standings in the Big Ten, but there is a question on just how good they really are. Compared to some of the other teams at the top of the standings, MSU's resume isn't very strong, and they have yet to beat a ranked team on the road. However, there is reason to still feel confident about the Spartans, and not just because proven head coach Tom Izzo is on the sideline. Sophomore Miles Bridges gives MSU a clear advantage over others, even though he has fallen in love with the three this season (where he is shooting an average 37 percent). Bridges has the talent and athleticism to take over games anytime he wants to, but he struggles to really be the "go-to" guy, and has moments where he disappears entirely. When he is playing well, this team has Final Four talent, but Bridges' play is definitely an X-factor. Fellow sophomores Cassius Winston and Nick Ward are also key components to this team. Winston has cut down on turnovers and shown he can be a leader on this team. He is an ideal complement to Bridges when he is playing well, as he doesn't need the ball to be effective and can space the floor. Ward has grown into one of the best big men in the conference, and can form quite a scary 1-2 punch with frontcourt mate Jaren Jackson. Ward is the classic, back-to-the-basket center that is a beast on the low block, while Jackson's shooting ability (44% from three) gives this offense a whole new dynamic. That core is awfully talented and despite the fact none are beyond sophomores, they have great chemistry and communicate well. But, it is also a group that is not very consistent and sometimes plays down to lesser opponents. There is always the concern the Spartans could have a bad shooting night in the NCAA Tournament early on, which of course would doom them. The good news is that Michigan State does have plenty of depth to fall back on. Role players like sharpshooting Matt McQuaid and veteran Gavin Schilling are never going to be the top options on an offense, but they bring valuable experience and give this team real energy off the bench. That depth will be key in the Tournament particularly if this team is able to get to the later rounds, where everybody is tired and bench play becomes critical. Overall, the roster makeup of this team is basically ideal. They have a good crop of shooters, solid guard play and versatile big men, along with a terrific coach who has proven he can win the important ones. If there is a chief concern, beyond the inconsistency that plagues this team at times, it is the experience factor. This is not a team of one-and-dones, but Bridges, Winston, Ward and another sophomore, Joshua Langford, have played in just one short-lived NCAA Tournament trip. That doesn't mean the big stage of March Madness will be too much for the group, but this is a very young team by Izzo standards, which could really haunt them.

The Verdict: With their versatility, depth and overall talent, Michigan State is the epitome of a team that typically does well in March. Of course, there 2015-2016 team was as well, and was absolutely shocked by 15th-seeded Middle Tennessee, but I think this team will be different. With Bridges leading the show, MSU has one of the country's best players, and a supporting cast that fits perfectly. If I had to make a National Title pick right now, in mid-February, Michigan State would probably be my pick, particularly in a year that has been so insanely chaotic. However, they still have things to figure out on the court, and will have continued fallout surrounding the Larry Nassar sexual assault investigation. If those off-court problems don't hurt this team's focus, I see Final Four in the future.

Scouting the Contenders: Virginia Cavaliers

Kyle Guy, Virginia

As March Madness slowly inches closer and closer, "Scouting the Contenders" takes a look at some of the nation's best teams in a chaotic race, and scouts their strengths and weaknesses and just how far they could go in the NCAA Tournament. We begin with the nation's current No. 1 team, the Virginia Cavaliers.

Track Record:

• 23-2 overall, 12-1 ACC
• Notable Wins: 65-63 @ Duke, 61-49 vs. UNC, 70-55 vs. Rhode Island
• Notable Losses: 68-61 @ West Virginia, 61-60 vs. Virginia Tech
• Best defense in the nation, allowing just 52.8 points per game

Scouting Report:  Head coach Tony Bennett has done an absolutely masterful job building Virginia into a legitimate powerhouse in the crowded ACC, but this year was supposed to be different. The Cavaliers had to replace a ton of production from last year's squad, and lacked their usual crop of quality veterans. However, Virginia's stingy "packline" defense and the improvement of sophomores Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome have enabled them to take over the ACC, and earn a No. 1 ranking despite a loss this past week to rival Virginia Tech. The reason that UVA is so tough to beat, even when they are not quite as talented as others, is that physical, tough defense. The Cavaliers communicate and rotate as well as anybody in the country, and every one of their key contributors are terrific one-on-one defenders. That defense gives them a chance to win every single game, even when their inconsistent offense doesn't always show up. The last few NCAA Tournament bids for the Cavs have been ended early due to that offense, which is good, but far from great. Guy's play has been huge for Virginia, as the former Indiana Mr. Basketball has evolved into a very legitimate No. 1 option (15.3 PPG) and a very good three-point shooter (39 percent). But, even he is prone to off days, and the offense has certainly struggled in those situations. For example, Guy had an off day this weekend against Virginia Tech, shooting just 5-21 from the field and a lowly 3-14 from deep. The Cavaliers' offense wasn't able to replace his production, and they lost to their rivals at home. Senior point guard Devon Hall has proven he can be a great No. 2 option throughout the season, but he also struggles with inconsistency. Beyond that, Virginia's offense lacks much bite, although Ty Jerome has proven himself as one of the best clutch players in the conference, which obviously is quite the advantage. An important thing to watch is going to be the lack of low-post scoring. So far, it hasn't been too much of an issue for the Cavaliers but with how many great big men are in college basketball this season, it could end up being a problem. Virginia's top four scorers are all guards, and their top big man is probably veteran Isaiah Wilkins. Wilkins is a hard-working, rock-solid big but he averages just 5.9 PPG and doesn't really strike fear into opponents. If he, or somebody else in the frontcourt could step up offensively, this team definitely becomes much more dangerous. Another big question mark that is still yet to answer is overall experience. Hall and Wilkins are both proven veterans who clearly know how to win, but overall, this is one of the youngest UVA teams in the Bennett era. Again, so far it hasn't been too much of an issue for the Cavaliers, but we all know how important it can be when March rolls around. Overall though, this team has the makeup of one that does generally succeed in the NCAA Tournament, although there are some deficiencies. There is still some dangerous offensive weapons here, a solid amount of experience, and enough depth. 

The Verdict: With Gonzaga's Mark Few reaching the NCAA Championship last year, Tony Bennett takes over as the best coach without a Final Four on his resume (along with Arizona's Sean Miller). This may not be his best team in terms of talent, but that doesn't mean they aren't ready to go on a serious run. When Guy and Hall are hitting their shots this team is incredibly tough, and their defense has withstood the test of time. The big question will be about maintaining leads with their offense. Over their last few NCAA bids, UVA has jumped out to leads on a number of occasions, but has choked them away due to that offense hitting a wall. This team has had the same problem at times, and it is certainly a cause for concern. Even so, this is a team I feel pretty confident about, or about as confident as you can be in a season where everybody at the top continues to lose. Without any idea what the bracket might look like, this is a team I feel confident picking to reach the Elite Eight. If they can play the way they have been playing for much of the season, Bennett's first Final Four could certainly be in order, and perhaps even higher honors.

Why the 2018 NBA Draft Class Could be One of the Best Ever

DeAndre Ayton, Arizona

It is certainly up for debate, but generally the 2003 NBA Draft is regarded as the best in NBA history, or at least in recent NBA history. While the 2003 Draft did see one of the sport's biggest busts ever, center Darko Milicic at No. 2, the rest of the top five featured four players all who should be Hall-of-Famers: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. It also had a good amount of depth as long-time NBA contributors such as David West, Boris Diaw and Leonardo Barbosa went outside of the lottery and have turned in very productive careers. The big question is: could the 2018 NBA Draft Class be even better? It is a lot to ask of a group of players that have been playing college ball for only a few months, but the talent and potential at the top of this Draft is truly astounding.

With the NBA trending more towards "small-ball" and frontcourts that are more athletic and versatile the most surprising thing in the 2018 Class is the abundance of superstar big men that should be available. It starts with Duke forward Marvin Bagley III, who technically should be a senior in high school, who has a very good chance of being the top selection this summer. Bagley's impressive athleticism, polish around the rim and rebounding ability have been killing ACC opponents all season long, and NBA scouts absolutely adore him. At just 18 years old, he has the potential to be something really special, particularly if he can improve as a shooter, which will turn him into a very complete offensive weapon. Bagley is also joined in the frontcourt by Arizona center DeAndre Ayton, another player that has a very good case to go first overall. The seven-footer already has NBA size and strength and is only getting better as the season continues. NBADraft.net compares Ayton to Hall-of-Famer David Robinson, and some believe Ayton has a better shot than Robinson already as a true frosh in college. Both Bagley and Ayton have the talent and ceiling to legitimately be generational-type talents, particularly if they land on an NBA team that is able to build a supporting cast that fits their strengths. Fellow big men Mo Bamba, Jaren Jackson, Wendell Carter and Robert Williams are players that would possibly go in the Top 3 in most Drafts, but could drop to the late lottery with this talent at the top. Bamba, especially, is the type of young prospect that NBA teams absolutely love. Bamba is a seven-foot, athletic center who is just scratching the surface of what he can be as a basketball player. Meanwhile, Jackson has built a terrific freshman season at Michigan State, Carter has flashed serious potential at Duke and Williams, a sophomore at Texas A&M, has all the looks of a productive NBA player. Certainly this isn't the first time we've seen big men featured at the top of the Draft, but the amount of them that could go in the Top 10 is amazing, and Bagley, Ayton and Bamba all could make the case as being the best big man prospect since Anthony Davis in 2012.

Of course, this Draft is not all big men, and the high-scoring guards deserve just as much attention. It begins, of course, with the National Player of the Year frontrunner, Trae Young of Oklahoma. As of right now, Young has a legitimate chance of becoming the first college basketball ever to lead the nation in points and assists. His silky smooth handles and unlimited range have already drawn comparisons to two-time MVP Steph Curry, and in the current, three-point heavy NBA a leader like that could be a necessity. If he continues to put up those numbers and cuts down on his turnovers, he is yet another player that could make a case to be the first player taken. Then, there is the guy that most casual basketball fans don't even know: Slovenian guard Luka Doncic. Due to the fact that he is an International prospect, there will definitely be questions about Doncic's adjustment to the NBA, but his potential is also off the charts. Doncic signed his first professional contract with Real Madrid at just 13 years of age, and many scouts who have seen play say that he has the chance to be the best non-American NBA player ever, surpassing future Hall-of-Famers like Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki. Another name to watch will be Alabama guard Collin Sexton, who has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook with his astounding athleticism and electric playmaking potential. While he may not be a serious candidate to go No. 1, Sexton is yet another talent that makes this Class so incredibly good and deep.

The amazing thing is that this Class has so many names that could go No. 1, and it could have been ever better if Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr. never got injured. Porter was ranked the top prospect in the 2017 recruiting cycle, before suffering a lower back injury that is expected to completely end his freshman season. One thing is clear: if you are an NBA team that is rebuilding or still figuring things out, this is the Draft to get a high pick. There is just so much insane talent at the top, and a lot of guys that could easily be considered "generational" players. There is going to be a lot of pressure on these guys to live up to all the hype surrounding them, but they have impressed in a big way since arriving in college and many already see NBA ready. It will obviously take years to really assess how good this Draft class was, once their NBA careers have really taken off (or not). But, right now, this Class has all the talent to be something very special, and perhaps be running the Association in a short few years, particularly with LeBron's career soon reaching its inevitable conclusion.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2017-2018: Edition 2

Jaren Jackson, Michigan State

1. Purdue Boilermakers (23-2 overall, 12-0 conference)
Even without a big name superstar on their roster, Purdue is still undefeated in the Big Ten and have asserted themselves as one of the best teams in the country. Guard Carsen Edwards has evolved into one of the conference's best playmakers, and the Boilermakers' have a dominant and deep frontcourt headlined by Isaac Haas. Purdue is also blessed with terrific experience and a ton of balance on the offensive end, which makes them so tough to beat. They are clearly the best team in the conference right now, and amazingly, Purdue has not lost since November 23rd, when they were stunned by Western Kentucky. Ohio State will be a tough meeting on Wednesday but right now, Purdue appears to be cruising towards a conference title and likely No. 1 seed.
2. Michigan State Spartans (22-3 overall, 10-2 conference)
After a relatively poor start to conference play, Michigan State has been on fire as of late, winners of seven straight. None of the victories have been against the elite teams in the conference, but going on the road in the Big Ten is always difficult, no matter the opponent. Preseason Player of the Year candidate Miles Bridges continues to lack consistency, but is still a highlight reel possibility every time he touches the ball, while big men Jaren Jackson and Nick Ward have evolved into one of the best frontcourts in the country. MSU will have a tough road matchup with an Iowa team playing better, before what could be their most important game of the season, against Purdue. That game will be a major indication of whether this MSU team is ready to contend for a National Championship, or still figuring out some of the issues that plagued them early in Big Ten play.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (20-5 overall, 11-1 conference)
Despite the fact they lost their first conference game in a thriller to Penn State last week, the Buckeyes remain very much in play for a conference title. First-year head coach Chris Holtmann has gotten a resurgent year from veterans Keita Bates-Diop and Jae'Sean Tate, but the real reason for Ohio State's success is a terrific defense. OSU is allowing just 66.2 points per game, which is 39th in the nation, and one of the best marks in the conference. That defense will have to serve them well as they approach the last couple conference games of the season, because this team hasn't have the depth that Purdue or Michigan State has. Even so, Ohio State has proven they are a very good basketball team this season, and one that finds ways to grind out wins.
4. Michigan Wolverines (19-6 overall, 8-4 conference)
They might have needed overtime to do it, but the Wolverines found a way to beat a motivated Minnesota team at home this weekend, keeping them in the conference title conversation, although they are on the outside looking in. Big man Mo Wagner continues to prove himself as one of the best forwards in the Big Ten, but it is UM's experienced backcourt, led by Muhammed-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Kentucky transfer Charles Matthews, that has been the guiding force to their success this season. The Wolverines will get an interesting two game test when they go on the road against Northwestern and Wisconsin before finishing up conference play with a tough stretch in late February. That will test this team, but the Wolverines are a dangerous team, and one that could be very dangerous as the season begins to close.
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers (17-8 overall, 8-4 conference)
While Ohio State has been the big surprise of the Big Ten this year, Nebraska's impressive season should not be overlooked. Headlined by scoring machine James Palmer Jr. and a skilled backcourt, the 'Huskers are 8-4 in the conference, and very much in the NCAA Tournament mix. Even better news for Nebraska is their remaining schedule is extremely easy, and they should be favored in likely every game they play, with the possible exception of a road trip to Minnesota. That obviously bodes well for a team sitting right on the bubble (currently in the Next Four Out on ESPN's bracketology) and could set this team up for a big showing in the conference tournament.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (16-9 overall, 6-6 conference)
Although it would take a lot of work for Penn State to find their way into the NCAA Tournament, the Nittany Lions have also been quite the surprise. Underrated sophomore guard Tony Carr has grown into one of the best scorers in the conference, averaging 19.5 points per game, while rabid rebounder Mike Watkins (13.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG) gives this team a strong low post presence. The only questions on this team will be depth and experience, which could be exposed as they face a scary late-season stretch that includes Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan and Nebraska all in a row. That is obviously a brutal schedule, but this PSU team has played well all year long and could challenge for their first season over .500 in the conference since 2007-2008.
7. Maryland Terrapins (16-9 overall, 5-7 conference)
Speaking of teams struggling through tough schedules, Maryland has faced a brutal stretch as of late, and unsurprisingly, they've had some issues. Over the past few weeks, the Terrapins have met Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State, and are trending downwards. That, compounded with the loss of stud big man Justin Jackson, who is done for the season, leaves Maryland in a tough spot, but this team could be dangerous towards the end of the season. They face off against a schedule that lightens up significantly, and their sharpshooting backcourt of Anthony Cowan and Kevin Huerter gives them a chance in every game they play. Much like Nebraska and Penn State, the Terps are a middle-of-the-pack team at this moment, but could cause some chaos in the coming weeks.
8. Northwestern Wildcats (14-10 overall, 5-6 conference)
This particular Northwestern team pales in comparison to last year's NCAA Tournament squad, but the Wildcats are playing better at the right time. They've won three of their last four, including two road games against Minnesota and Wisconsin, who aren't great teams but have very hostile environments. Key to their improved play has been smarter play from star point guard Bryant McIntosh, who has cut down on his turnovers, and better contributions from their frontcourt, which was really struggling early on in Big Ten play. Reaching their second consecutive NCAA Tournament may be unrealistic at this point, but the Wildcats could still certainly find their way into some postseason tournament, particularly if they can win a couple more road games, like meetings with Rutgers and Maryland.
9. Indiana Hoosiers (12-12 overall, 5-7 conference)
After a brutal non-conference stretch, not much was expected of Indiana in the first season of the Archie Miller era. However, the Hoosiers have looked significantly better since conference play began, and the future appears bright for this team. Athletic veterans Juwan Morgan and Robert Johnson have been the stars of the lineup, especially Johnson, who is the team's most dangerous shooter, even though he doesn't have great numbers (33% from deep). Indiana has also gotten better play from some of their big guys, although they have missed center De'Ron Davis, after he suffered an Achilles injury. Indiana isn't going to be playing in any postseason tournament this season, but Miller has proven he can coach these guys up. They are still a team that can go out and give any team in this conference troubles every night.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-11 overall, 3-9 conference)
Injuries and a lack of depth have combined to make Minnesota the most disappointing team in the conference this season, if not the most disappointing team in the entire country. Center Reggie Lynch, their defensive anchor, is long gone, but injuries to backup center Eric Curry (tore ACL prior to season) and Amir Coffey (shoulder problems) have really hurt this team. Forward Jordan Murphy is still one of the best double-double machines in the conference, and former highly touted recruit Isaiah Washington is playing much better but unless something major changes, the Gophers can't be considered a serious threat in the conference, even in a down year for the Big Ten.
11. Wisconsin Badgers (10-15 overall, 3-9 conference)
Not much was expected of Wisconsin prior to this season with the loss of so much of last year's team, and unsurprisingly they have really struggled. Forward Ethan Happ is one of the best bigs in the conference, and true freshman Brad Davison is clearly the future at point guard but beyond that, the Badgers lack much. They don't have much shooters to space the floor and lack much depth, which has only been hurt by injuries to guards Kobe King and D'Mitrik Trice. It is nearly a guarantee Wisconsin will miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998, but fans can at least take solace in the fact this team is still very young and will only get better.
12. Iowa Hawkeyes (12-13 overall, 3-9 conference)
Despite having one of the best offenses in the Big Ten and averaging 18.4 assists per game (fifth nationally) Iowa is under .500 overall and near the bottom of the conference. The reason for the struggles is an atrocious defense, which is 300th in the country. In order to turn things around, the Hawkeyes need better rotation on that side of the ball and to limit second chance points, which have been a killer for them all season. If they can do that, they could still end the year with some momentum but a very tough schedule, including Michigan State, Ohio State and Michigan make that unlikely.
13. Illinois Fighting Illini (12-12 overall, 2-9 conference)
After beginning Big Ten play 0-8, Illinois has been able to gain some traction, winning two games this past week to climb out of the cellar in the conference. Offensively, this isn't a bad team and first-year head coach Brad Underwood is well known for his offensive expertise. It is on the defensive side where the Illini have really struggled, and they will need a ton of work. The good news is that Illinois has many chances to add to their win total, with games against Wisconsin, Indiana and Rutgers. If they can manage to win a couple of those, it could still be a nice way to gain some momentum as they look ahead to 2018-2019.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-13 overall, 2-10 conference)
Slowly but surely, Steve Pikiell's massive rebuild at Rutgers continues. The Scarlet Knights have managed two conference wins, and have looked better this year than last season, but still appear to be in the cellar of the conference. The major reason has been an offense that lacks any bite, averaging just 66.8 PPG, which is 316th in the nation. Rutgers will need one of their big men to step up and make some easy buckets, and more contributions from one of the worst benches in the Big Ten.