Big Ten men's basketball power rankings: Badgers, Huskers make big moves

Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings: Badgers, Huskers make big moves

Posted by Admin November 23, 2024 Basketball

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Now that (almost) everyone in the Big Ten has played someone that matters, we can approach these power rankings with some real data.

I’m beginning to care less about how good I think someone is than who I know they’ve beaten. It’s not as easy to do a true resume ranking in basketball as it is in football, and conference play will demand more nuance.

For now, though, I’m deferring to teams who were willing to go on the road and play tough games early – especially the ones who won.

Records through games of Nov. 23:

1. Purdue (5-1)

Prev: 1

With everyone else showing warts, Boilers still get benefit of the doubt, for now.

2. Ohio State (4-1)

Prev: 5

Has pulverized some lesser opponents after that opening win over Texas, but Aaron Bradshaw’s unexplained absence complicates things.

3. Wisconsin (6-0)

Prev: 13

Earned a new respect with that home win over Arizona, then almost immediately gave it back against UT Rio Grande Valley.

4. Nebraska (4-1)

Prev: 16

Not only did the Huskers go on the road and beat Creighton, they made Ryan Kalkbrenner look ordinary.

5. Illinois (4-1)

Prev: 2

Unlike Purdue, could not summon enough defense to contain Alabama. Not really any shame in that, though.

6. UCLA (4-1)

Prev: 3

Bruins’ defense looks good now, but we’ll know more when they play Arizona, North Carolina and Gonzaga in a two-week span of December.

7. Michigan (5-1)

Prev: 9

Wolverines have been winning a bit sloppy, and that may cost them when the Tarleton States of the world are behind them.

8. Maryland (4-1)

Prev: 11

Gave Marquette a better game (at home) than Purdue did (on the road). Kevin Willard might have something here.

9. Indiana (4-0)

Prev: 6

Curt Cignetti could not control his strength of schedule. What’s Mike Woodson’s excuse?

10. Rutgers (4-0)

Prev: 7

Took Ace Bailey all of four games to start making jaw-dropping shots look routine.

11. Michigan State (4-1)

Prev: 4

Can we get Coach Prime against Izzo for Monday’s game against Colorado?

12. Oregon (5-0)

Prev: 10

Has been playing with fire and needs to be flame retardant by the time it plays Texas A&M on Tuesday.

13. Northwestern (5-1)

Prev: 8

Brooks Barnhizer is back, giving the Wildcats a chance to get in sync for Big Ten play.

14. Iowa (5-1)

Prev: 12

First real chance to impress ended with a stinker against Utah State.

15. Penn State (5-0)

Prev: 15

Godspeed Mike Rhoades. You’re not the first to try to bring some life to the Bryce Jordan Center.

16. USC (4-1)

Prev: 14

Can’t help but smile a bit when the Pac-12 mercenaries lose to the Pac-12 cast-offs. Well done, Cal.

17. Washington (4-1)

Prev: 18

Will the Huskies’ ability to defend overcome their apparent inability to make baskets?

18. Minnesota (4-1)

Prev: 17

On your way back to the airport via the METRO Blue Line, check out Venn Brewing near the 46th Street Station.