As Big Ten play is about to get underway following the finish of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, Michigan holds a firm lead on the rest of the pack, while Iowa starts to rise up the ranks after impressive showings.
As projected, the Big Ten is already off to a tumultuous start and has already been heavily competitive both internally and externally. Power rankings for such a hectic conference have been tough, as so many teams are solid and competitive for each slot. It’s a good problem to have, however, for a tough conference that looks to make up for sending so few teams to the Big Dance in March of last season.
Carsen Edwards and Ethan Happ are looking the real deal when it comes to National Player of the Year candidates, but to say the talent stops there would be a gross mistake to make. The Big Ten is, as always, brimming with top-tier talent. This is true even on rosters considered to be “less talented” overall. The depth of the conference is astounding and could make for one of the most fun-to-watch Big Ten conference schedules we’ve ever seen.
Big Ten Power Rankings (Week of Nov. 26)
1. Michigan Wolverines
- Last Week’s Ranking – 1 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 7
Michigan might have the best defense in the country. The Wolverines continue to show teams that they plan to contain any top scorers they face this year, which might come in handy as they will come against two Player of the Year candidates in Carsen Edwards and Ethan Happ. Michigan’s highest point total allowed was 61 to George Washington. They’ll look to continue their defensive prowess against a strong North Carolina team this week.
2. Michigan State Spartans
- Last Week’s Ranking – 2 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 8
The Spartans have been excellent in the post, and from the 3-point line. They currently have one of the best offenses in the nation, ranked 8th overall in adjusted offense by the KenPom rankings. Their defense hasn’t been shabby either, ranking at 15th overall. The Spartans currently sit at No. 9 overall and already have played up to standards, competing with Top 25 teams already this year. Their next test comes in the form of No. 14 Iowa after facing Louisville, and opening Big Ten play against Rutgers.
3. Wisconsin Badgers
- Last Week’s Ranking – 3 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 12
Ethan Happ, a lock-down Big Ten star, is averaging 31 minutes for the Badgers so far this season, and averaging a double-double with 17.8 rebounds and 12.5 rebounds for Wisconsin. The team behind him has lived up to expectations this year as well. Sophomore point guard D’Mitrik Trice has lived up to the expectations set for him this season, averaging 16.8 points per game. The No. 22 Badgers have a win against Xavier under their belts and narrowly missed beating No. 4 Virginia last Friday.
4. Iowa
- Last Week’s Ranking – 7 (Up Two)
- KenPom Ranking – 32
The Hawkeyes have a solid win over No. 18 Oregon on their resume, and with blowout wins over Connecticut and Alabama State, Fran McCaffery’s team continues to look the part of a competitor. The No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes have big tests coming up this week, playing host to No. 22 Wisconsin before traveling to No. 9 Michigan State to start Big Ten play.
5. Purdue Boilermakers
- Last Week’s Ranking – 5 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 13
We could see one of the most fun-to-watch Big Ten conferences in years, and Purdue looks to be constantly improving behind the No. 9 scorer in the nation, Carsen Edwards. Edwards is averaging 25.3 points a game and is the top scorer in all Power Conferences so far this season. They face a tough stretch of games against No. 15 Florida State, No. 7 Michigan, No. 24 Maryland, and No. 17 Texas all in their next five games.
6. Indiana Hoosiers
- Last Week’s Ranking – 4 (Down Two)
- KenPom Ranking – 21
The Hoosiers are one point away from being undefeated this year after a tough loss on the road to Arkansas. The young Indiana players haven’t looked like a top-five team in the Big Ten at all points in the year, but I believe this Indiana team could be special. The balance on offense is impressive, with five players averaging eight or more points a game. Led by freshman star Romeo Langford, and the ever-impressive senior Juwan Morgan, Indiana could be a competitor in the Big Ten.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
- Last Week’s Ranking – 8 (Up One)
- KenPom Ranking – 23
Perhaps the biggest win Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes team has so far this year is their first win of the season against a talented Cincinnati team. They haven’t had much competition so far this year, but have impressive large-spread wins against Samford and Cleveland St. in their recent successes. If their defense continues to impress (they held the two previously mentioned teams to 50 and 62, respectively) they could be a tough team going forward. They face Syracuse and Minnesota soon, which will be crucial tests.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Last Week’s Ranking – 6 (Down Two)
- KenPom Ranking – 24
The Huskers had a lot of hype going into this season, but haven’t lived up to it as much as many imagined. Texas Tech blew the Huskers out of the water. This week will see them face Clemson on the road for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and play Big Ten games against Illinois and Minnesota. The Huskers, led by seniors James Palmer Jr. (17.6 PPG) and Isaac Copeland Jr. (15.0 PPG), very much have their fate in their own hands, with the talent and senior leadership to improve their performances down the road.
9. Maryland Terrapins
- Last Week’s Ranking – 9 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 33
After a disappointing season last year, this red-hot Maryland Terrapins squad has impressed against (noticeably weaker) opponents so far this season. Their first true test of the season comes Tuesday against No. 4 Virginia as a part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, followed by games against Penn State and No. 24 Maryland. Anthony Cowan Jr. continues to shine for this program, and sophomore Bruno Fernando continues to impress and develop.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Last Week’s Ranking – 10 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 50
Minnesota has solid wins over Texas A&M and Washington already as they take on Oklahoma St. on Friday, and then start Big Ten play against Minnesota. Led by double-double machine Jordan Murphy and Amir Coffey, Minnesota also features what could be one of the best freshman classes in the nation. Daniel Oturu is averaging 6.8 rebounds and 8.7, and Gabe Kalscheur is averaging 13.5 points in his freshman campaign.
11. Northwestern Wildcats
- Last Week’s Ranking – 13 (Up Two)
- KenPom Ranking – 46
Northwestern hasn’t looked like a big threat so far in the Big Ten, with a bad loss against Fresno State accompanying their solid wins against Utah and a commanding 82-52 victory over New Orleans. Led by Senior forward Vic Law, who is averaging 18.5 points per game, the Wildcats are also seeing nice production from senior-transfer Ryan Taylor and senior Dererk Pardon. The Wildcats open up Big Ten play against Indiana this weekend.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions
- Last Week’s Ranking – 12 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 36
Penn State has wins over North Florida and Wright State, but losses against lowly Bradley and a surprisingly good DePaul team. Lamar Stevens leads Chris Collins’ team in scoring so far this year, with almost 25 points a game to pair with eight rebounds. Junior Lamar Stevens and senior Josh Reaves also feature for the Nittany Lions along with Freshman-upstart Myles Dread. Penn State plays host to No. 13 Virginia Tech before No. 24 Maryland.
13. Illinois Fighting Illini
- Last Week’s Ranking – 11 (Down Two)
- KenPom Ranking – 95
The Illinois Fighting Illini have yet to put together a full-package performance so far in this young season. Brad Underwood’s young Illini team has had a tough start to the season that basically began with an 0-3 start in the Maui Invitational after narrowly missing out on a chance to beat No. 1 Gonzaga. Led by five-star freshman Ayo Dosunmu and sophomore Trent Frazier, the Illini could rapidly rise up the rankings with wins over Notre Dame and Nebraska on the road.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Last Week’s Ranking – 14 (No Change)
- KenPom Ranking – 115
Steve Pikiell’s Scarlet Knights team will open conference play against No. 9 Michigan State and No. 22 Wisconsin, after facing off against Miami (FL) on Wednesday. Led by junior Eugene Omoruyi (15.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and sophomore Geo Baker (15.2 ppg, 5.0 apg), Rutgers could climb out of the (relatively competitive) bottom of the Big Ten with strong performances in their run of Top-25 matchups. The climb starts Wednesday for the Scarlet Knights.