It’s not only Feast Week in college basketball, it’s going to be a week of tests for the Big Ten. Last week saw plenty of up-and-down play in the Big Ten, and this week’s conference power rankings heavily reflect that. After Purdue looked like one of the top five teams in the country after defeating Alabama, they fell apart on the road and suffered their first loss. Illinois also had a down week, losing to that same Crimson Tide team. However, this week’s biggest loser is probably Rutgers, whose loss against Kennesaw State could derail their NCAA Tournament hopes come March. That loss was just one of the biggest surprises this past week in the Big Ten. Let’s take a look at the LWOS Big Ten power rankings heading into Feast Week.
Big Ten Power Rankings: A Very Important Feast Week
18. Washington (4-1) Last Week: 18th
Sure, Washington’s loss came on the road at Nevada, but they have flirted with far worse losses, so far. They struggled against both UMass-Lowell and Alcorn State. They head to Palm Springs for the Acisure Invitational this week. Their opening game is against Colorado State, and the Rams will be ready to get after Great Osobor and the Huskies. Time will tell if Washington can make any gains come next week’s power rankings.
17. Minnesota (4-1) Last Week: 17th
Once again no change for the Golden Gophers, as they have still looked shaky thus far in the season. Minnesota has to play at a much better level if they want to make any gains this season. After winning by a mere three points against Yale, they were able to get a much more comfortable victory against Cleveland State last week. The Gophers get Central Michigan to start this week before they head down to Kissimmee, Florida for the ESPN Events Invitational later this week.
16. Northwestern (5-1) Last Week: 15th
The Wildcats have done a good job since dropping an early game against Dayton, as they have found their way to 5-1. The best news from this past week is the fact that they finally have Brooks Barnhizer back in the line-up. A three-point win against Montana State was pretty scary, but they were able to get a win. They followed it up with an 18-point win against Pepperdine. Now they have to focus as they take on the Butler Bulldogs (4-1) at the Arizona Tip-Off. Pierre Brooks has been shooting the lights out for the Bulldogs, so this is certainly a win that could help Northwestern come March.
15. USC (5-1) Last Week: 16th
Since dropping a game against Cal, the Trojans have responded. They were able to win games against San Jose State and Grambling State. They held both under 70 points while scoring over 80 points. They appear to have some confidence as they head to a big-time match-up with Saint Mary’s at the Acrisure Classic. That event also includes Arizona State and New Mexico. The Trojans have a real chance to make some noise this week.
14. Rutgers (4-1) Last Week: 7th
Final#TheKnighthood 🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Ugdxd6Redh
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) November 24, 2024
The team with the biggest drop of the week is Rutgers. Call me crazy, but even though they only lost by two points, it was a loss they just couldn’t afford to have. No offense to Kennesaw State as they are having a great start to the 2024-25 season, especially at home. Still for the Scarlet Knights to have such talent in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, this loss should have been avoidable. Rutgers can still move back up in next week’s power rankings, but their loss against Kennesaw is going to be felt this season. They head to Paradise, Nevada for the Players Era Festival. Notre Dame is first up, but then they will face number nine Alabama. This week could be good, or it could get far worse for the Knights.
13. Michigan (4-1) Last Week: 14th
Michigan again continues to get better every game. Blowout wins against Miami (OH) and Tarleton State have the Wolverines confident as they head to Fort Myers for their holiday tournament, and a clash with Virginia Tech. They didn’t fare well against the last team they played from the ACC, but the Hokies have had a rough start to the season. This event gives Michigan a chance to move up even further.
12. Iowa (5-1) Last Week: 12th
The Hawkeyes have to revert to the drawing board a bit after they fell short against Utah State. They have a great chance to get back on track with just one game this week against USC Upstate. The three-point shooting has to get better as they only shot 19 percent from beyond the arch against the Aggies.
11. Maryland (5-1) Last Week: 9th
Since dropping a close game against Marquette, who seem to be an even better team than advertised, the Terrapins have got things going back in the right direction. They completely dismantled Canisius 108-37, before taking down a struggling Villanova team at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. Up next is Bucknell. Can Derik Queen continue his strong start to his freshman season?
10. Penn State (5-0) Last Week: 11th
Confidence is growing in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions got a great performance from Ace Baldwin Jr against Purdue Fort Wayne, as he scored 25 points. That effort must continue as Penn State heads to the Sunshine Slam event in Daytona Beach, Florida. They open the tournament against Fordham, before a possible match-up against Clemson or San Francisco.
9. UCLA (5-1) Last Week: 8th
A slight drop for the Bruins this week, but they are still among the contenders in the Big Ten this season. They have one more tune-up game against Southern Utah this week, before UCLA gets its first taste of the Big Ten, with a clash with Washington to start December. Back-to-back convincing wins against Idaho State and Cal State Fullerton have the Bruins rolling.
8. Nebraska (4-1) Last Week: 13th
The Cornhuskers have made a huge jump this week, after a blowout win over 13th-ranked Creighton on the road. Coach Fred Hoiberg has Nebraska clicking, and they are quickly putting themselves in the NCAA Tournament conversation so far this season. Can they follow up the momentum against South Dakota this week? It’s good to see Juwan Gary is getting help from the likes of Brice Williams.
7. Oregon (5-0) Last Week: 10th
Dana Altman has the Ducks on a roll, and following a dramatic three-point win at rival Oregon State, they have the confidence going. Nate Bittle came up big, and he’s quickly become a go-to scorer for Oregon. They will get a big test as they face 20th-ranked Texas A&M in Las Vegas at the Players Era Festival.
6. Michigan State (4-1) Last Week: 6th
The Spartans are getting closer to the Top 25 polls, but they aren’t quite there yet. Their lone loss thus far came against No. 1 Kansas. Now they have to get things rolling as they are in Maui this week for the Maui Invitational. Can Coach Izzo pull some magic out of the hat? They take on Colorado in the opening game, before a possible match-up with either UConn or Memphis on the second day. Izzo has never reached the championship game of this event, can he pull it off this year? Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson have been the guys bringing the energy that must continue in Maui.
5. Ohio State (4-1) Last Week: 5th
The Buckeyes have a chance to continue their rise under head coach Jake Diebler. However, the news of Aaron Bradshaw having some off-the-court issues is only going to make things tougher. Green Bay and Pittsburgh both come into Columbus this week. Can Ohio State keep up the momentum? Can they keep a top-five spot in the Big Ten power rankings moving forward?
4. Illinois (4-1) Last Week: 3rd
A one-spot drop for the Illini is nothing to frown at. They weren’t as ready for Alabama as fellow Big Ten foe Purdue was. Then again, Illinois had to play the Tide at a neutral site in Birmingham. Despite that loss, freshman Will Riley has delivered the last two games, including a 19-point performance in a win against Maryland-Eastern Shore. They get a chance to further prove themselves against Little Rock, along with a big clash with John Calipari’s Arkansas team later this week.
3. Indiana (4-0) Last Week: 2nd
The Hoosiers only drop because Wisconsin has made some moves so far this season. The Hoosiers are still playing good ball, and remain unbeaten thus far. Indiana is up to 14th in the country and has to feel some confidence heading to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. They will get a huge test in the opening round against the Lousiville Cardinals. Their second-round match-up could see them meet up with West Virginia or No. 3 Gonzaga.
2. Purdue (5-1) Last Week: 1st
The strong hold on the number one spot from a week ago for Purdue, slightly dipped, after they had no answer for the Marquette Golden Eagles. After dropping that game, the Boilers got back to basics against Marshall as they cruised to an 80-45 victory. It was a quick top-six ranking for Purdue. Now that they are back down to 13th, the Boilermakers have to refocus as they head to San Diego for the Rady Children’s Invitational and a clash with NC State.
1. Wisconsin (7-0) Last Week: 4th
The hottest team in the Big Ten takes their spot atop the Big Ten power rankings this week. After knocking off Arizona, the Badgers have gone on to beat UT Rio Grand Valley, UCF, and Pittsburgh to win the Greenbrier Tip-Off Mountain Divison tournament. Therefore, it’s a pretty light week until they face Chicago State on Saturday. Wisconsin had been rolling and now holds the top spot.
