{"id":166287,"date":"2025-11-10T08:55:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=166287"},"modified":"2025-11-10T08:55:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:55:47","slug":"big-ten-power-rankings-wolverines-surge-to-the-top","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/10\/big-ten-power-rankings-wolverines-surge-to-the-top\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Ten Power Rankings: Wolverines Surge to the Top"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Big Ten put on a show during the opening week of the season. From record-setting nights to very important non-conference wins. Michigan<\/a> flexed some muscle, while Tom Izzo’s Spartans continued to defy the odds. Purdue remains in the hunt, as does UCLA. As for the rest of the Big Ten, it’s a mixed bag.<\/p>\n

This week’s Big Ten power rankings certainly had some changes. Let’s take a closer look.<\/p>\n

Big Ten Power Rankings: Wolverines Surge to the Top<\/h2>\n

1. Michigan (1-0)<\/h3>\n

Michigan storms to the top after a record-setting opening game. The Wolverines scored a school record 69 points in the first half. They then rolled to a 121-78 victory over Oakland by the end of that night. Morez Johnson Jr<\/a> had 24 points in his Wolverine debut, not to mention their freshman guard, Trey McKenney<\/a>, looked comfortable. The Wolverines look like an early contender for the Big Ten and in the country. A neutral site tip with Wake Forest and a road game at TCU await Michigan this week.<\/p>\n

2. Purdue (2-0)<\/h3>\n

After a cruise to victory behind 30 points from Fletcher Loyer<\/a> against Evansville, Purdue came out a little flat against Oakland. The Golden Grizziles fought and fought, but the Boilermakers eventually pulled away to an 87-77 victory. Still, some concerns are there for Purdue, at least in the early going. Hope they are ready for that trip to Tuscaloosa this week.<\/p>\n

3. UCLA (2-0)<\/h3>\n

Xavier Booker<\/a> has been a breath of fresh air for the Bruins thus far. After struggling to find time at Michigan State, Booker has been well involved in UCLA’s wins against Eastern Washington and Pepperdine. They get West Georgia before a clash with old Pac-12 foe Arizona on November 14th.<\/p>\n

4. Michigan State (2-0)<\/h3>\n

The Spartans took a big step this week in the Big Ten power rankings, as they held off a game Arkansas team at the Breslin Center. Izzo was able to get the better of Coach Calipari on Saturday night in front of an outstanding crowd. Coen Carr<\/a> was everywhere. As was freshman forward Cam Ward<\/a>, who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the 69-66 victory. A quiet one-game week against San Jose State gears MSU up for the Champions Classic in New York the following week.<\/p>\n

\n

TOUGH \u2755 pic.twitter.com\/dVFRM6Y2IQ<\/a><\/p>\n

— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 9, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n