The Big Ten is in full swing now, and the major contenders
are stepping forward but this list can change rapidly.
1. Indiana
(up 1)
Indiana outlasted Minnesota at home in a clear top 3
matchup. Indiana gets the boost because
of the Michigan loss. The Hoosiers are
playing some of the best basketball in the country right now. It will be interesting to see how defensive
minded teams like Ohio State are able to slow down this high scoring attack.
Indiana plays Wisconsin and Northwestern this week, which should push their
conference record to 5-0.
2. Michigan
(down 1)
Michigan dropped a stinker when a national number 1 ranking
was on the line. The Wolverine’s highly
efficient offense has looked inept over the last two games, and it doesn’t get
any easier with a trip to Minnesota up next.
It should be a more open game, so the offense will be looking to get
back on track.
3. Minnesota
(no change)
The Gophers are clearly a very good basketball team this
season. Much like Michigan they dug
themselves an early hole on the road and were not able to come all the way back
for a huge upset in Bloomington. The
Gophers and Wolverines will look to rebound on Thursday with the clear 2nd
place favorite emerging with a victory.
4. Ohio
State (no change)
Ohio State pulled out a huge victory against a top 5 team at
home. The Buckeyes are still two
different teams at home and on the road.
There is a clear drop off in quality after Minnesota in the conference. While the top three are national championship
contenders, the next 4 teams are going to have a lot to say about the final
conference standings. Next up for Ohio
is a road trip to East Lansing, where Michigan State is the likely favorite.
5. Michigan
State (no change)
Michigan State had a light week in terms of Big Ten games
with heading to Iowa and hosting Nebraska, yet somehow they are still lucky to
emerge with, even, one win. The Hawkeyes should have pulled off the upset, and the
Cornhuskers were within striking distance until the final minutes
yesterday. The Spartans are still
struggling to find consistent offense and controlling the ball, this will be a
huge problem when the Spartans play quality teams on the road.
6. Wisconsin
(up 2)
Wisconsin is one of two undefeated conference teams
remaining, but that will likely change this week with road trips to Bloomington
and Iowa City. The Badgers are starting
to score the ball more effectively, and are growing into a quality conference
team that will likely make the NCAA tournament again. The Badgers dominated Illinois in every facet
on Saturday, giving Wisconsin their first quality win.
7. Iowa
(no change)
The Hawkeyes welcomed Michigan State to Iowa City last week
and blew another game in the last few minutes.
Iowa should have beat Michigan State without its best player on the
floor even. The Hawkeyes did manage to
get their first conference victory over the weekend, and next up is a close to
must win game against Wisconsin.
8. Illinois
(down 2)
I think we can state with some certainty that the Illini are
terrible on the road, but will scare a lot of teams in Champagne. Illinois was curb stomped by the average
Badgers on Saturday, and now are continuing on their downward trend. Illinois should have two bounce back games
with Northwestern and Nebraska upcoming.
9. Purdue
(up 3)
Purdue hung with Ohio State at home and then dominated lowly
Penn State. Matt Painter’s squad is very
young and will continue to get better.
They already play extremely tough defense and should be able to keep a
lot of games close this season. Also,
playing at Mackey Arena is never fun.
10. Northwestern
(down 1)
The Wildcats got their first conference win against Penn
State, but then turned around and got smoked against Iowa. Northwestern will likely hold down this
number 10 spot for a while, but Nebraska could be nipping at their heels.
11. Nebraska
(up 1)
The Cornhuskers moved up a bit this week after they hung
tough at Crisler and the Breslin. It
should be considered an encouraging week that they kept both games under 20 and
looked like a respectable B1G team.
Nebraska could be looking to move up to number 10 pretty soon.
12. Penn
State (down 1)
I feel a little bad about Penn State, without Tim Frazier
they would be a middle of the pack MAC team.
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