Big Ten Update

The first week of Big Ten basketball has concluded and there have already been a few surprises.  The next week the major contenders will really begin to be challenged, so the power rankings could see a shake up. 

1.       Michigan (no change)

Michigan has already been detailed, but the Wolverines are playing the best basketball in the country.  Of the 18 weekly awards given out from the B1G, a Michigan player has won 8 so far.  They boast the most productive freshman class in the nation, and also arguably the best player.  It will be interesting to see how well Michigan can defend a team with more of a post presence like Indiana, Minnesota, or Duke, especially if Horford still cannot play.

2.       Indiana (no change)

The Hoosiers scraped out a big road win against Iowa to open the season in a game where they were outplayed for most of it.  Sometimes a team has to be able to win ugly, and Indiana did leave with the most important thing, a victory.  Indiana hosts Minnesota next weekend and we will see how much of a contender the Gophers really are.  Give credit to Tom Crean, Indiana was one of the worst defensive teams in the conference last season and so far this year they are in the top 10 in most defensive categories.

3.       Minnesota (up 1)

The Golden Gophers beat an average Michigan State team at home and followed it up by a little to be desired home win against Northwestern.  It will be very interesting to see Minnesota go on the road.  Hollins and Mbakwe are playing really well, but will that continue away from The Barn? Minnesota does fit the mold of Michigan and Indiana, they are loaded with athletes and can score the ball very efficiently.  Could the B1G finally be going away from wrestling matches with a round orange ball?

4.       Ohio State (down 1)

Ohio started off play with a dominating win against the conference bottom-dweller, and then followed it up with a horrible performance at Illinois.  The Buckeyes really struggle in the half court offense, and they do not have many offensive options outside of DeShaun Thomas.  If they can’t force a turnover to create instate offense, this team really struggles to score the basketball.  Regardless, Thad Matta’s squads always have a lot of talent so winning in Columbus will still be a tall feat.

5.       Michigan State (up 1)

The Spartans opened up conference play with a tough fought loss against the Gophers and then rebounded with a blowout win over Purdue.  I am still not sold on the team from East Lansing as they struggle with turnovers and can go through long periods of scoring droughts.  I am interested to see how they play at Iowa on Thursday.

6.       Illinois (down 1)

The Illini might be the most confusing team at this point, they began with a disappointing loss at Purdue but rebounded with a blow out win over Ohio State.  Does it reinforce the fact that road wins are going to be a very tough thing to come by this year, or that outside of Michigan and Indiana the rest of the conference really isn’t that good?  Illinois plays Minnesota this week, which should be a good test. 

7.       Iowa (no change)

The Hawkeyes started with the toughest conference schedule by playing Indiana and Michigan.  Somehow, Iowa outplayed Indiana in the opener and should have won the game.  Their best player, Marble, missed 13 shots on the day and they still had a chance to win.  Then they awoke an angry Wolverine team in the last 30 minutes and got ran out of Ann Arbor.  I still think Iowa can get enough key victories in the conference to be a tournament team, but it will interesting to see how the young team responds to an 0-2 start. The home game against Michigan State might be a must win game for this team.

8.       Wisconsin (no change)

The Badgers are the definition of average and impressive is nowhere near the word to describe them at this point of the season.  Wisconsin stumbled over Nebraska and Penn State, and if the Badgers cannot find a consistent scorer they are going to struggle to win a handful more games.  Bo Ryan really needs one of his guards to step into the scoring role left vacant by Jordan Taylor.

9.       Purdue (up 3)

Purdue started the conference season with an upset win over Illinois at home and followed it by getting blown out by Michigan State. The Boilermakers really struggle to score the basketball, but they are a top tier defensive team already.  Purdue looks to still be tough to beat at Mackey Arena.

10.   Northwestern (down 1)

The Wildcats had the 2^nd toughest opening week of conference play, and are 0-2 as a result.  Northwestern has a long ways to go to be a tournament team. 

11.   Penn State (no change)

Penn State hung tough with Wisconsin to open play, but without Tim Frazier they lack an elite playmaker that will allow them to compete in the best conference in the country.

12.   Nebraska (down 2)

What can I say about the Huskers besides they are not good.