The college basketball season has reached the holidays. With everyone off, it’s to take a special look at a new edition of the Big Ten power rankings. The top hasn’t changed at all as Michigan continues to rattle off one-sided victories, while Michigan State, Purdue and Nebraska all try to keep pace. How about those Cornhuskers?
Without further delay here’s the Holiday edition of the Big Ten power rankings.
Big Ten Power Rankings:
1. Michigan (11-0)
The Wolverines continue to put on a clinic this season. They reached the 100-point mark for the sixth time this season in a 102-50 thrashing of La Salle. Freshman guard Trey McKenney is really beginning to find his footing, as he led the charge for Michigan with 17 points. This team is starting to look like a title favorite.
Up next: McNeese (12/29), USC (1/2)
2. Michigan State (11-1)
The Spartans have had some questionable rotations over the last several games. But it seems it was needed after their home loss to Duke. From Divine Ugochukwu scoring 23 at Penn State, to the recent 22-point performance from Coen Carr against Oakland, Coach Izzo has been stirring up the lineup. But with the big Clash at Nebraska on the horizon, Michigan State has a chance to start the new year at 12-1.
Up next: Cornell (12/29), @ Nebraska (1/2)
3. Purdue (11-1)
With the lone blemish being a 20-plus point loss at home to Iowa State, the Boilermakers can be happy they sit 11-1 at the Christmas break. This group is tough, and that’s why they continue to sit among the top four in the Big Ten overall and in these power rankings. Trey Kaufman-Renn is not only leading the team in scoring, but he’s also shooting 59.6 percent from the field. Braden Smith dropped 14 assists in Purdue’s win against Auburn, as he continues to chase all-time assist records.
Up next: Kent State (12/29), @ Wisconsin (1/3)
4. Nebraska (12-0)
The biggest surprise of the Big Ten continues its march. The Cornhuskers are off to their best start in years. Coach Hoiberg appears to have found the magic with this group. Berke Buyuktuncel turned in a nice performance in Nebraska’s win against North Dakota as he finished with a triple double. They have one more non-con game with a chance to be 13-0 heading into a huge clash with defending Big Ten Champion Michigan State in January.
Up next: New Hampshire (12/30), Michigan State (1/2)
5. USC (12-1)
All the new faces, and the Trojans find themselves at 12-1 on the season. Chad Baker-Mazura is a problem for opposing teams. This break is perfect, as Alijah Arenas made his return to practice prior to the holidays. The freshman son of Gilbert Arenas could be an important factor once he gets his legs under him.
Up next: @ Michigan (1/2)
6. Iowa (10-2)
The Hawkeyes have lost two games to this point, with both coming against Top 10 ranked teams. Not too bad for Coach McCollum’s first season in Iowa City. The team has scored over 90 points in each of its last two games. UMass Lowell comes to town next for their final non-conference game. The shooting is coming together for this slow-paced team.
Up next: UMass Lowell (12/29), UCLA (1/3)
7. UCLA (10-3)
The Bruins had a ugly run to a 10-3 start to the season. With numerous lineup changes, Coach Mick Cronin still has work to do with this group. Much like his time at Michigan State, Xavier Booker remains a question mark for UCLA. Tyler Bilodeau had an explosive night against UC Riverside with 34 points. The Bulk of the Big Ten lies ahead for the Bruins.
Up next: @ Iowa (1/3)
8. Indiana (10-3)
The Hoosiers rebounded from their 12-point loss to Kentucky with blowout wins over Chicago State and Siena. The Siena game was good for senior guard Lamar Wilkerson. He notched 23 points for his ninth-straight game in double figures. In fact, he’s scored double figures in 12 of the 13 games for Indiana. The one he didn’t he still had nine points. Wilkerson is fitting in nicely for the Hoosiers.
Up next: Washington (1/4)
9. Illinois (9-3)
The three-point loss at the buzzer to Nebraska hurt, but Illinois didn’t let it get in the way as they rebounded with a rivalry win over Missouri. Keaton Wagler has quickly become the go-to scorer for the Illini. Meanwhile the rest of Illinois some work to do. Perhaps the mid-season addition of another European player will boost the morale at practice.
Up next: Southern (12/29), @ Penn State (1/3)
10. Ohio State (9-3)
This team is hard to watch. When they are on, they are on, but their three losses have all come in very winnable games. They have the guards to make noise, but the bigger question might be: is Coach Diebler the right guy?
Up next: @ Rutgers (1/2)
11. Washington (8-4)
Hannes Steinbach showed out once again for the Huskies in a 86-56 win against San Diego. It was a get right game for Washington after they lost at Seattle. Steinbach had 21 points and 14 rebounds to continue a strong freshman campaign. Keeping him healthy will be the big goal moving forward.
Up next: Utah (12/29), @ Indiana (1/4)
12. Wisconsin (8-4)
The Badgers are a mixed bag. Between high level scorers, and four losses by double digits. The biggest being a 30-point loss to Nebraska in Big Ten play. They followed it up with a loss to Villanova. Luckily Wisconsin was able to get back on track with a win against Central Michigan. Nolan Winter and Austin Rapp were a huge part of that victory. The pair combined for 36 points. One more non-con game, as Wisconsin gears up for a tough early January Big Ten slate.
Up next: Milwaukee (12/30), Purdue (1/3)
13. Penn State (8-4)
After a hot start, the Nittany Lions find themselves on a three-game losing streak. The most recent was a very ugly 80-46 beating at the hand of Pittsburgh. It’s a young group, but they showed fight against Michigan State in their clash at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Up next: NC Central (12/29), Illinois (1/3)
14. Minnesota (7-5)
It might be time to start taking Cade Tyson as a legit All-Big Ten player. He continues to fill the scoring column for the Gophers. He had 38 points against Texas Southern, before adding another 24 in a win over Campbell. Both were a big step to rebound from their loss to Purdue.
Up next: FDU (12/29), @ Northwestern (1/3)
15. Northwestern (7-5)
Injuries are once again derailing the Wildcats. Northwestern didn’t have Nick Martinelli in their game with Butler, and it cost them dearly. A concussion kept Martinelli out, and the offense couldn’t make up for his absence. They lost by three but, 58 points isn’t going to be enough, especially if the concussion systems linger for Martinelli moving forward. Injuries are what derailed this team last season, and it appears it could happen once again.
Up next: Howard (12/30), Minnesota (1/3)
16. Maryland (6-6)
Who knew the bottom three of the Big Ten would all be sitting at 6-6 on the season? Two of which made the NCAA tournament last year. Maryland is understandable with a new coach and a bunch of new players. They have lost three straight games and need to get things going before their clash with Oregon on January 2nd.
Up next: Old Dominion (12/28), Oregon (1/2)
17. Rutgers (6-6)
The Scarlet Knights jumped out of the last spot with a buzzer-beating win against former Iowa coach Fran McCaffrey’s Penn Quakers team. It was dramatic as Rutgers escaped with a 70-69 victory. Tariq Francis looked like a hero with the game winning shot, and a career high 34 points.
Up next: Delaware State (12/29), Ohio State (1/2)
18. Oregon (6-6)
I don’t think anyone foresaw the Ducks being at the bottom of the Big Ten. Especially when they returned so much experience. That five-game slide from Thanksgiving through the early part of this month, certainly was a killer. Both Jackson Shelstad and senior captain Nate Bittle have dealt with injuries which put this Oregon team in an ugly place at Christmas time.
Up next: Omaha (12/28), @ Maryland (1/2)
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