 |
| Jaden Akins, Michigan State |
1. Purdue Boilermakers
18-5 overall, 11-2 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 2
There were some understandable growing pains for Purdue in the first few months post-Edey, but the Boilermakers have grown into the league favorite as things stand in early February. Trey Kaufman-Renn has grown into the premier post presence that has become commonplace on Matt Painter teams, but the pairing of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer in the backcourt has helped Purdue separate from the pack in the league. The junior guard duo play with a pace and selflessness that makes defending the Boilermakers on any given night incredibly difficult, and the depth on the roster has shown itself to be crucial the deeper we get into Big Ten play. A difficult slate lies directly ahead, with three ranked teams in a row on the schedule, two of them being road games, but Purdue still appears to be not just be the comfortable league favorite, but its best chance to earn a No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday.
2. Michigan State Spartans
19-4 overall, 10-2 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 1
Following a 9-0 start to Big Ten action, the Spartans stumbled recently, with a pair of losses to the LA schools, before recovering taking down Oregon over the weekend. In a way, it shouldn't come as a surprise Michigan State has run into turbulence during their West Coast tour, but it does show Tom Izzo still has work to do as March nears. This is a remarkably balanced Spartan team that plays true team basketball, ranking in the Top 10 nationally in assists per contest. They don't have to rely on just one piece offensively, but they have enough ways to beat opponents that defenses have had a difficult time figuring out how to contain them over the course of 40 minutes. But, what has been an advantage for much of the season has shown to be a potential concern over their last two games, as the lack of a true go-to scorer has left the Spartans struggling to find any rhythm offensively. In the USC game in particular, Michigan State's leading scorer, Jeremy Fears Jr., managed just 12 points and was one of just two Spartans to finish with double-digits. In a league like this, with elite offenses, that type of offensive production simply is not going to cut it, particularly when you go on the road into the hostile environments the Big Ten has to offer. The win over Oregon did show the Spartans are still a formidable foe in East Lansing, but we will learn a lot about what the ceiling of this team is with their remaining road schedule.
3. Michigan Wolverines
18-5 overall, 10-2 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 3
A baffling loss on the road to Minnesota, Michigan's first loss of their Big Ten slate at the time, could have easily derailed Dusty May's first season in charge. Instead, his Wolverines have responded in impressive fashion, with a notable exception coming against Purdue, when they were dropped by 27 points. But even after the Purdue defeat, Michigan has responded by ripping off four straight victories against solid conference foes, and they remain a serious threat to take home a Big Ten Title. May deserves all the credit in the world not only for what he's done in one single season in Ann Arbor, but what an excellent job he's done fitting all the unique pieces on Michigan's roster together. This is a starting lineup made up nearly entirely of transfers, but they feel like a group that has been playing together for some time. The Wolverines are balanced offensively - although Vlad Goldin is their top scorer, ultra-versatile Danny Wolf, and wing scorers Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett provide enough offensive punch that Michigan can compete with anybody in the conference. Figuring out how to close out games will be the next step for May as he continues to build and craft this Wolverine program. Of their five losses, four have come by a combined eight points.
4. Wisconsin Badgers
19-5 overall, 9-4 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 6
It still feels like Wisconsin is being a bit overlooked the deeper we get into the season, but this could be a really interesting team down the stretch and into the postseason. A lot of folks seemed to write off the Badgers during a three-game skid in early December, but they've looked strong since the meat of their Big Ten schedule began. The Badgers are now 9-4 in the conference overall and their only losses since the New Year began both came on the road to quality opponents, against UCLA and Maryland. There's just a different feel to this team compared to past Greg Gard teams, for one big reason: they can score. The Badgers average over 81 points per contest, and have a legitimate alpha in John Tonje Jr. With Nolan Winter continuing his growth on the block and Max Klesmit and John Blackwell providing some nice complementary pieces to Tonje, this is a dangerous Badger team as they look towards the conclusion of the regular season.
5. UCLA Bruins
18-6 overall, 9-4 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 12
Will the real UCLA Bruins stand up? I mean, this may be the most confusing team in the Big Ten this year. At the time of my last power rankings, the Bruins had lost five of six, were sinking to the bottom of the conference, and Mick Cronin's seat was getting hot. Fast forward a few weeks, and UCLA is suddenly back in conference title contention after ripping off seven consecutive victories. It hasn't been like the Bruins are beating up on the bottom-feeders of this conference, either. They've beaten three ranked teams during this recent hot streak, with a huge win over crosstown rival USC to boot. The big change has a defense that has elevated its play in recent weeks, in true Cronin fashion. This is just the type of team that is a pain to play, with stifling team defense and the intensity to battle it out the entire game. They could certainly play a spoiler role done the stretch, particularly with a favorable schedule the rest of the way.
6. Maryland Terrapins
18-6 overall, 8-5 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 10
Speaking of teams who have turned their seasons around, look no further than the Maryland Terrapins. Kevin Willard's club lost three of four to open up their Big Ten schedule and looked to be in store for a rebuilding campaign, but a recent hot streak that have included a pair of ranked wins now has them ranked and firmly in the NCAA Tournament as things stand in early February. The continued development of freshman phenom Derik Queen has been huge for this team, giving them a legit presence on the block to counter the other elite bigs in this conference. With Queen surrounded by a host of veterans, this Terrapins team has a nice nucleus to work with as they look towards the next month of the regular season. A loss to Ohio State, albeit on the road, last week did show there is work to be done, but the coming slate looks quite manageable.
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
16-8 overall, 8-6 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 4
Following an Elite Eight run a year ago, it almost looked as though Brad Underwood potentially had an even better team this time around in Champaign during a strong start to the season. However, since a 39-point drubbing of Penn State, the Illini have been a rollercoaster ride in recent weeks, and now sit barely above .500 in the conference. Some of the losses have been understandable, as the Illini have struggled on the road all season long, but Underwood and company have to figure something out, as the Illini may have the toughest remaining schedule in the conference. The defense in particular needs to be better, as they've been gashed during this cold streak, which included dominant performances by the two Rutgers' freshman stars, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, in a loss last week. There isn't a ton of time to figure things out, as five ranked teams remain on their schedule, including a strange late February non-conference date with Duke at Madison Square Garden.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
16-8 overall, 6-7 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 9
Nebraska has been another team difficult to get a read on through Big Ten play. They struggled mightily once they hit the meat of their league schedule, with six straight losses dropping them near the cellar of the Big Ten. However, Fred Hoiberg's team has responded admirably, ripping off four straight losses to get them back to near .500 inside the conference. There's not anything especially flashy about this Cornhuskers team, but they have a nice core of veteran pieces, and do the little things so well, which can make all the difference in a balanced and competitive league like this. Brice Williams has been fire during their recent hot streak, scoring 20 or more inn each of their wins, and forward Juwan Gary provides a reliable interior threat. The 'Huskers currently find themselves in good position to make the NCAA Tournament, assuming they can take advantage of a favorable schedule the rest of the way. Only one ranked team, Michigan, remains, but Nebraska will have to avoid dropping one of their trickier remaining road games, which includes the likes of Northwestern, Penn State, and Ohio State.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes
14-10 overall, 6-7 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 11
A loss over the weekend to Nebraska knocked Ohio State down below the .500 mark, and they sit firmly on the bubble in early February. The Buckeyes really don't any bad losses and own a pair of quality non-conference wins over Kentucky and Texas, but this is going to be an important next month in Columbus. The schedule is manageable, and we've seen the Buckeyes can be a real threat when they're playing their "A" game. But, the loss to Nebraska did indicate what has been areas that have problems for much of the season. They played an overall good game, shooting the ball well and limiting turnovers, but just couldn't figure out a way to close out the 'Huskers, and watched their lead evaporate late. Jake Diebler is a young coach that is going to get better as he grows into this position, but the Buckeyes can't continue to suffer those types of losses if they want to pick the NCAA Tournament in his debut season.
10. Oregon Ducks
16-8 overall, 5-8 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 5
Oregon is a prime example of just how fast your fortunes can change in the Big Ten. At the time of my last power rankings, they were ranked in the Top 25 and seemed to be acclimating to life in their new home well, off to a 4-2 start in-conference. Fast forward, and the Ducks have lost six of seven, with their lone victory coming against one of the league's bottom-feeders, Washington. The schedule has been tricky, including a recent two-game road trip to both Michigan schools, but Oregon just has not looked like the same team this past month. The offense has really struggled, chief among being big man Nate Bittle, who was having a resurgent year before a frustrating last month. If the Ducks want to dig themselves out of the hole, they need more from their top big, who simply can't finish with the zero point game he had against Minnesota during this cold streak. He looked like he turned a corner during a strong showing against Michigan, even in a losing effort, so perhaps there's hope he, and this entire Oregon team, can turn it around.
11. USC Trojans
13-10 overall, 5-7 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 14
A massive victory over Michigan State, who was undefeated in the league at the time, looked it may be exactly what Eric Musselman and USC needed to go on an NCAA Tournament run. But, the Trojans just have not built on it the way they would have hoped, as a pair of losses now have them back to 5-7 inside the Big Ten. A loss to Purdue on the road was understandable, but the Northwestern defeat has to be haunting the Trojans, a two-point loss that came after Nick Martinelli hit a difficult, contested baseline jumper in the closing seconds. The Trojans have certainly looked like a much better basketball team as of late as they've continue to gel, and are another team with a favorable schedule remaining. With that being said, USC still remains frightfully inconsistent, and there's very little margin for error if this team wants any chance at making the Big Dance.
12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
12-12 overall, 5-8 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 15
The Scarlet Knights are one of the more entertaining teams in the Big Ten, with arguably the nation's top freshman combo in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. But, that just hasn't translated to this being a very good basketball, as they currently sit .500 overall and completely out of the postseason conversation. The thing is, Bailey and Harper have both lived up to the hype, with the duo averaging a combined 38 points per game and posting solid shooting numbers. It's just that the supporting cast around them has been so underwhelming, they've struggled to compete with some of the best teams on their schedule. The Scarlet Knights could still play a spoiler role, as they've been a tough out in recent weeks, but it's a near certainty at this point that the lone season of Bailey and Harper in Piscataway is going to conclude without a postseason berth.
13. Indiana Hoosiers
14-10 overall, 5-8 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 8
Few teams in the country have been as disappointing as the Indiana Hoosiers. They had the big offseason, bringing back Mackenzie Mgbako and adding in several notable transfer portal pieces, but the results haven't shown up on the court. Now, mired in a cold streak where they've lost seven of eight games, the Hoosiers have announced that head coach Mike Woodson will not return for the 2025-26 season. It's not in any way a surprising development considering Woodson was already under significant pressure as he entered the season, but does leave this team with little to play for as they look ahead to the final month of the season. Perhaps the Hoosiers can scrounge up some late-season magic in much the way they did last season, which was enough to save Woodson's job at the time, but it feels unlikely. Instead, Indiana fans have already turned the page, and the greater focus will be on how they bring in to replace Woodson.
14. Iowa Hawkeyes
13-10 overall, 4-8 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 7
Speaking of programs making changes at head coach, but could Fran McCaffery out the door soon at Iowa? McCaffery has fielded some incredibly strong Hawkeye teams over the years and regularly has this team in the NCAA Tournament, but has yet to get this team into the second weekend. Finishing in the NIT last season felt like a result the program could live with if McCaffery's team responded in 2024-25 but instead, the Hawkeyes sit near the bottom of the league at 4-8. To make matters worse, leading scorer Owen Freeman was ruled out for the year within the last week, robbing Iowa of one of the few players on this roster who can go out and get a bucket. The scoring burden will fall even more on Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix, but the lack of a true difference-maker on the block puts the Hawkeyes at such a disadvantage in this conference. More and more, it just feels like Iowa is looking ahead to major offseason changes and what they hope will be a resurgent 2025-26.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
13-11 overall, 4-9 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 16
Injuries have completely derailed Northwestern's season, a season that could have had real promise with all the veterans on this roster. The Wildcats had already lost Brooks Barnhizer, who was their second leading scorer, but the recent news that Jalen Leach would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL felt like a true gut punch. Northwestern is now significantly short-handed as they face down a remaining schedule that isn't brutal, but has several difficult spots. Nick Martinelli has been playing incredibly well and is clearly now the top weapon for this offense, but the lack of scoring punch beyond that makes it hard to believe the Wildcats are much of a threat down the stretch. Being one of the 15 teams to punch their ticket to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Tournament has to be the goal now.
16. Washington Huskies
12-11 overall, 3-9 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 17
It was always going to be a rebuilding season for Danny Sprinkle in his debut season at Washington, so it's no surprise they've been situated near the bottom of the league standings for much of the year. With that being said, the Huskies are still playing hard and have shown signs of life as of late, winning two of their last three games to climb out of the Big Ten cellar. Neither of the wins were overly impressive, against Minnesota and Northwestern, but Washington has been shooting the ball well and making their presence felt on the glass. If they can clean up some of the sloppiness, this could still be a tough out down the stretch, even with their flaws. A pair of road games await in Ohio State and Penn State, not great news for a team that has won just one game away from Seattle inside the conference this season, but both of those teams are gettable if the Huskies come out with high energy.
17. Minnesota Golden Gophers
12-12 overall, 4-9 Big Ten
Previous Ranking: 18
You have to give Ben Johnson and the Gophers some amount of credit. They started off the Big Ten season 0-6 and lost heartbreaker after heartbreaker. They could have easily packed it and called it a season, but instead three straight victories breathed new life into the program. Three losses over their next four certainly brought this team down to Earth, but Minnesota still has hopes of the Big Ten Tournament come mid-March. Dawson Garcia continues to be one of the best players in the league, but improved play from the supporting cast has made this a much tougher opponent. With Lu'Cye Patterson playing well and a healthy Mike Mitchell Jr., the Gophers may just have the backcourt playmaking they need to complement Garcia on the block, even if depth remains a major concern. The schedule isn't terrible the rest of the way, so there's certainly a chance this team could steal a few more conference victories, which just may be enough to ensure Johnson a fifth year in the Twin Cities.
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
Previous Ranking: 13
Much like Northwestern, injuries have completely killed Penn State's season. The heart and soul of the team, guard Ace Baldwin, simply has not been the same since missing several games in early January, and the Nittany Lions are currently without two key frontcourt pieces in Puff Johnson and Yanic Konan Niederhauser. The injuries have left a roster that already had holes even thinner, and Mike Rhoades has had to dig deep into his bench just to put a team out on the court on a given night. It's no surprise that Penn State has now lost nine of ten and finds themselves dead last in the conference after a loss to Minnesota last week. There is some hope they get healthy and take advantage of a softer late February stretch, but March will be a difficult one for them. This is a team almost certainly looking ahead to 2025-26, which could end up being an important season for Rhoades, which will be his third year at the helm in Happy Valley.
No comments:
Post a Comment