Second semester has begun and we’re back on the WIUX Blog with new Big Ten Power Rankings. This week, rankings were voted on by WIUX personalities Lucas Corley, Matt Dlugie, Ethan Gaba, Kevin Hyland, Matt Randall, Sam Rumpza, Andrew Vailliencourt, Eli Wilz and Tori Ziege.
Team Name, First Place Votes, Record (overall, conference), Average, High/Low
1. Michigan State Spartans (8), (16-1, 5-0), Average: 1.11, High/Low: 1/2
What They’re Saying: “After a couple overtime wins and a road victory over Northwestern, the Spartans have opened the Big Ten season 5-0. However, it’s not just their record that’s impressive. It’s how they’ve done it. Tom Izzo has gotten pretty great production from everyone on his roster while Adreian Payne has dealt with the foot injury, and if that continues when Payne returns, it’ll be even tougher to knock MSU off the top.” –Matt Randall
“It has been relatively smooth sailing since the loss to UNC. Questions still remain about when Adreian Payne will return, but great guard play and a deep bench picks up during his absence.” –Lucas Corley
2. Wisconsin Badgers (1), (16-1, 3-1), Average: 2.44, High/Low: 1/5
What They’re Saying: “Wisconsin’s defense was downright bad against Indiana, but the Badgers are still a very solid team and shouldn’t worry too much. Indiana played its best game of the year in front a raucous crowd and there were still positives. Had Wisconsin shot better than 30 percent from three, we have a different top team in the conference. Bo Ryan’s squad has some tests coming up against unranked teams (Michigan, @Minnesota, @Purdue), but I assume it’ll be ready.” –Sam Rumpza
“Make no mistake: this is still a top-tier team in the Big Ten. You can’t fault Wisconsin too much for dropping Tuesday’s game in Assembly Hall, as it took an almost perfect game for Indiana to hang around and pull ahead towards the end. Had they not gone cold from three or showed any semblance of interior defense, the Badgers would probably still be undefeated. You can be sure that Bo Ryan will address the latter issue, and that Wisconsin will be in the title chase all the way.” –Matt Randall
3. Iowa Hawkeyes, (14-3, 3-1), Average: 2.77, High/Low: 2/3
What They’re Saying: “The Hawkeyes are fifth in points, third in rebounds, and eighth in assists in the nation. Combine that with an impressive victory at No. 3 Ohio State and you have a combination that could equal a late-season run. This team is legit.” –Matt Dlugie
“The Hawkeyes, a popular sleeper pick early in the year, have lived up to the hype so far, opening the Big Ten season at 3-1 with the latest being a victory over Ohio State in Columbus in which Aaron White owned the post and Roy Devyn Marble proved he could be a viable Big Ten POY candidate. The one blemish on their record came in a road loss to Wisconsin, when a late lead was squandered as Fran McCaffery was handed two techs and ejected, giving the Badgers momentum, not to mention four points which ended up being the margin of defeat. Assuming McCaffery keeps his cool, Iowa is really trending in the right direction.” –Matt Randall
4. Michigan Wolverines, (12-4, 4-0), Average: 4.55, High/Low: 3/6
What They’re Saying: “Michigan has looked better is of late. Granted they are undefeated in conference, but haven’t played a solid team since Minnesota on January 2nd. They now enter their first brutal stretch of the season, with Wisconsin tomorrow at the Kohl Center, Iowa at home and then the instate rivalry with MSU in East Lansing. Big tests are up ahead for the Wolverines, which could define their season.” –Ethan Gaba
“After a tough non-conference schedule that featured losses to Iowa State, Duke, and Arizona, Michigan has righted the ship with four consecutive conference wins to put its Big Ten record at 4-0. Albeit three of the four teams that Michigan beat came from the bottom of the Big Ten, however the Wolverines have a chance to prove themselves on the big stage against Wisconsin this Saturday.” –Tori Ziege
5. Ohio State Buckeyes, (15-3, 2-3), Average: 4.66, High/Low: 4/6
What They’re Saying: “Ohio State has now lost three in a row, but all to quality teams in Michigan State (OT), Iowa and Minnesota. After starting 15-0 the Buckeyes are now 15-3 and have fallen to 2-3 in Big Ten play. Their next three games can get them back on track but if they continue to struggle, this team will have a lot more questions to answer.” –Ethan Gaba
“Ohio State is facing a slippery slope right now. 2-3 is not the way Thad Matta wanted to start off Big Ten play. In a league where you must win home games, the Buckeyes lost to Iowa. The road loss to Minnesota was one of the worst games the Buckeyes have played all year, and now they must bounce back and win three relatively easy games with Nebraska, Illinois, and Penn State.” –Lucas Corley
6. (tied) Minnesota Golden Gophers, (14-4, 3-2), Average: 6.33, High/Low: 5/7
What They’re Saying: “The Golden Gophers lost a close game to Michigan, took Michigan State to OT, and last night knocked off Ohio State to hand the Buckeyes their third straight loss. With a 3-2 conference record and a tough schedule still ahead, the Gophers might not be able to do enough to be a real contender this year. But make no mistake, this is a competitive team. Under the command of new coach Richard Pitino, I expect Minnesota to give every team in the conference a competitive game.” –Tori Ziege
“A team that is always seemingly on the bubble. They look different this year. The Gophers had a big win against Ohio State, they barely lost to Michigan, and took MSU to overtime before losing. Coach Pitino has been great for the program.” –Andrew Vailliencourt
6. (tied) Indiana Hoosiers, (12-5, 2-2), Average: 6.33, High/Low: 4/7
What They’re Saying: “The Hoosiers had a big, big week. They netted their first two wins of the conference season, including a road win (albeit against Penn St.) and the obvious season-changer against then-undefeated Wisconsin. Not only did this week save the NCAA tournament hopes for the Hoosiers, the wins gave a young team confidence that is necessary to be successful in the Big Ten. They’ve shown a lot of growth, coming back from double-digit deficits in both games. The task now is to continue building on the momentum. And also to stop turning over the ball.” –Matt Randall
8. Purdue Boilermakers, (12-5, 2-2), Average: 8.22, High/Low: 8/9
What They’re Saying: “The Boilers just seemingly have Illinois’ number, winning nine of the last 10 versus the Fighting Illini. With the next two games against bottom-feeders Penn State and Northwestern, Matt Painter’s squad has a chance to be 4-2 going into a home showdown against Wisconsin. While Purdue isn’t lighting the world on fire, it has been playing better of late and has more chances for wins soon.” –Sam Rumpza
9. Illinois Fighting Illini, (13-5, 2-3), Average: 8.88, High/Low: 8/10
What They’re Saying: “After beating Indiana at home, John Groce's team has taken a very hard fall back to reality after losing to Northwestern and Purdue. Can't say I didn't see this coming. U of I will live and die by the blade of Groce's intensity. He may wear out his welcome before he can even build a contender. “ –Matt Dlugie
10. Northwestern Wildcats, (8-10, 1-4), Average: 10.22, High/Low: 9/12
What They’re Saying: “In what has been a dismal season for the Wildcats, at least they can boast a win against in-state rival Illinois. I will be interested to see how they perform against Indiana. It is a game they could win if the Cream and Crimson suffer a let down after the Wisconsin win.” –Lucas Corley
11. Penn State Nittany Lions, (9-9, 0-5), Average: 11.11, High/Low: 10/12
What They’re Saying: “Tim Frazier and D.J. Newbill have made Penn State raise their level of play in many games this season. Unfortunately, what the Nittany Lions boast in guard play, they lack in size and therefore a post presence. This has been detrimental in a conference known for physicality in the post.” –Lucas Corley
12. Nebraska Cornhuskers, (8-8, 0-4), Average: 11.55, High/Low: 11/12
What They’re Saying: “The Big Ten knew that when they brought Nebraska into the conference it was for football, not basketball.” –Matt Dlugie
