The Big Ten might be the deepest conference in college basketball
We officially have a week of Big Ten Conference basketball under our belt thanks to the early start this season, and clear leaders are starting to emerge from a competitive pack.
The Big Ten is ultra-competitive this year and has a lot of top-end talent that could make a big impact come March. The conference has six teams in the AP Top 25, and a few other teams that have made their case to be ranked, as well.
Thanks to the new 20-game Big Ten schedule fans have gotten an early look at how deep the conference is and how tough it will be over the next few months. Heading into mid-December and the top two teams remain at the head of the class with Michigan and Michigan State setting the bar high.
Big Ten Power Rankings (Week of Dec. 10)
1. Michigan Wolverines
Last Week’s Ranking – 1 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 4
After doing just enough to beat the Northwestern Wildcats on their home-court, No. 5 Michigan had no issues handling an average South Carolina team ranked at No. 104 in the KenPom Rankings. Freshman Ignas Brazdeikis is averaging 17 points per game to go along with 5.2 rebounds and is looking even better than the No. 40 recruit in his class.
2. Michigan State Spartans
Last Week’s Ranking – 2 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 9
Michigan State is one of two top-10 teams in the KenPom rankings that have a strength of schedule rated in the top 15 in the country. The Spartans sit at having the 12th toughest schedule overall and have the highest strength of schedule out of all Top 25 teams besides Purdue and Wisconsin.
3. Wisconsin Badgers
Last Week’s Ranking – 3 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 13
Wisconsin has faced the sixth-toughest strength of schedule. After gritty wins over No. 22 Iowa and Rutgers, the No. 16 Badgers dropped a game on the road to No. 21 Marquette. Typically, a fine balance was struck between Ethan Happ’s stellar inside presence and the Badgers shooters. Against Marquette, however, the Badgers shot just 5-24 from 3 and Happ’s 34-point effort still wasn’t enough for the win.
4. Ohio State
Last Week’s Ranking – 7 (Up 3)
KenPom Ranking – 20
No. 15 Ohio State was able to beat an upset-minded Illinois team at the United Center on Wednesday to open up Big Ten play. Keyshawn Woods had 18 points in that game in Chicago off the bench, which was a game-changer for the Buckeyes. Though Ohio State has wins over Minnesota and Illinois, they have a loss to No. 25 Syracuse and have relatively yet to be talented, facing a schedule rated as the No. 140 hardest schedule so far this year. Don’t sleep on this Ohio State team.
5. Purdue Boilermakers
Last Week’s Ranking – 5 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 15
For the first time in my power rankings, thanks to a competitive conference and drastically different schedules played by Big Ten teams, this week marks the first time we’ve had stability in the top five. Still, Purdue’s Carsen Edwards continues to impress. The Boilermakers took a gritty win from Maryland at home, before losing to a solid Texas team by just four on the road. Purdue has a 0-2 record against Top 15 teams, with earlier losses to Florida State and Michigan, so it remains to be seen how this team will fare in the long run.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last Week’s Ranking – 7 (+1)
KenPom Ranking – 38
Nebraska dropped 17 places in the KenPom rankings this week, but I still believe this Nebraska team has what it takes to land in the top half of a crowded Big Ten conference. After beating Clemson, the team led by the three senior Jr.’s (James Palmer Jr., Isaac Copeland Jr., and Glynn Watson Jr.) opened Big Ten Play with two wins against Illinois and Minnesota.
7. Indiana Hoosiers
Last Week’s Ranking – 9 (+2)
KenPom Ranking – 21
The No. 25 Hoosiers, led by NBA Draft-hopefuls Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan (18.2 and 15.5 PPG, respectively) got a big win against Louisville on Saturday, winning on their home court. So far in Big Ten play, the Hoosiers are 2-0 with wins over Northwestern at home, and Penn State on the road. The Hoosiers also boast a 23-point win over No. 21 Marquette
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
Last Week’s Ranking – 8 (-2)
KenPom Ranking – 38
Iowa rebounded from losses in Big Ten play against No. 16 Wisconsin and No. 9 Michigan State with a big win over a young, talented Iowa State team on the verge of the Top 25. They are 0-2 in Big Ten play but have a solid upside if their almost-10-man rotation (nine players have averaged over 10 minutes while playing in every game) can get some solid production.
9. Maryland Terrapins
Last Week’s Ranking – 8 (-1)
KenPom Ranking – 27
Mark Turgeon’s Terrapins squad sits at No. 28 overall in the KenPom rankings but has the 178th hardest strength of schedule overall so far this season. They played current No. 6 Virginia close at home, losing by just five, and went on to three straight wins over Penn State, Maryland, and Loyola (IL). The Terrapins could rise back up the list in a hurry, especially if star-freshman Jalen Smith continues to perform, as he’s averaging almost 11 points and 7 rebounds in just under 24 minutes.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Week’s Ranking – 10 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 42
The Nittany Lions came out of a relatively weak non-conference schedule (where they lost to DePaul on the road) to lose their first two Big Ten matchups against Maryland on the road, and Indiana at home. Their re-entry to conference play won’t be any easier come the turn of the year, as they’ll start with a game against four Top 25 teams in their first five games of the new year.
11. Northwestern Wildcats
Last Week’s Ranking – 11 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 47
Northwestern’s performance against DePaul was certainly questionable. It took a 25-0 run to help get a win against a struggling Blue Demons program. The Wildcats definitely have some upset ability, as they almost took down Michigan last week. They have a tough run of schedule as the year turns over, and will open up the new year against No. 9 Michigan State on the January 2nd.
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last Week’s Ranking – 12 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 50
The Golden Gophers are led by senior Jordan Murphy, who currently averages a double-double at 14.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. Junior Amir Coffey also chips in almost 16 minutes per game. Minnesota started their Big Ten conference play with a 20-point loss to Ohio State, before beating Nebraska by seven at home. The Gophers will open the new year with a game against No. 16 Wisconsin.
13. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last Week’s Ranking – 13 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 91
The Illini got a much-needed win over UNLV. Having played the eighth toughest strength of schedule according to KenPom, it’s no wonder Brad Underwood’s young Illini have had their fair share of struggles so far this year. Samba Kane had a breakout performance in their win over UNLV at home, and the Illini will be hoping to go on a run in the upcoming break in conference play before restarting Big Ten play with the new year.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last Week’s Ranking – 14 (No Change)
KenPom Ranking – 94
Steve Pikiell’s Scarlet Knights team is a mystery. Having been at the bottom of the Big Ten for basically their whole time since joining the conference, many are now arguing that this team should be given a little more respect. I completely agree, but I’m not fully sold on them. The future is bright for Rutgers, for sure, but this team could struggle in Big Ten play if they can’t get better production outside of their top three scorers. They’re 0-2 in Big Ten play to start the conference schedule.