After a week filled with unexpected results, our Big Ten Power Rankings are out. This week’s rankings were voted on by WIUX personalities Matt Dlugie, Ethan Gaba, Kevin Hyland, Sam Rumpza, Andrew Vailliencourt, Eli Wilz, and Tori Ziege.
Team Name, First Place Votes, Record (overall, conference), Average, High/Low
1. Michigan State Spartans (7), (18-1, 7-0), Average: 1, High/Low: 1/1
What They’re Saying: “Michigan State was surviving with Adreian Payne’s foot injury and managing with Keith Appling shoulder issues. Now, a broken hand suffered by forward Branden Dawson will be an additional challenge for the Spartans as they round into a tough stretch in their schedule. The next two weeks will feature opponents Michigan, Iowa, Georgetown, and Wisconsin. Nonetheless, Sparty has the best record in the conference, and are still the team to beat in the Big Ten.” –Tori Ziege
2. Michigan Wolverines, (14-4, 6-0), Average: 2.14, High/Low: 2/3
What They’re Saying: “This McGary-less squad is John Beilein’s finest coaching job since arriving in Ann Arbor. It also helps that Caris LeVert (possibly the Big Ten’s most improved player) and Nik Stauskas (the conference’s leading scorer at 18.5 points per game) are playing as well as any backcourt in the league.” –Kevin Hyland “They are who we thought they might be at the beginning of the year, and that's the second best team in the Big Ten. Nik Stauskas is the player of the year in the conference, and Jordan Morgan has been outstanding filling in for Mitch McGary. (People often forget that Michigan won a conference title with him as their starting center).” –Andrew Vailliencourt
3. Iowa Hawkeyes, (15-4, 4-2), Average: 3, High/Low: 2/4
What They’re Saying: “A loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor shouldn't be that nerve-racking to Iowa fans. This team is still one of the biggest surprises this season. They are still fifth in points and third in rebounds in the nation. Both stats will keep this team in every game.” –Matt Dlugie
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers, (15-5, 4-3), Average: 4.57, High/Low: 4/6
What They’re Saying: “While the Hollins men tear things up on the court, Minnesota continues to climb the rankings. No one expected much from this team going into the season, but with the fourth-best B1G record, Richard Pitino's group should not be overlooked by anyone.” –Matt Dlugie
5. Wisconsin Badgers, (16-3, 3-3), Average: 4.71, High/Low: 3/7
What They’re Saying: “If there’s one song that’s frequented the Badgers’ playlist, it’s Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.” After losing its first game of the season in Assembly Hall, Wisconsin dropped its next two home to Michigan and at Minnesota. Granted, neither of those are easy games, but if Bo Ryan’s squad wants to be in contention for the B1G title, it is going to have to change their tune.” –Tori Ziege
6. Ohio State Buckeyes, (16-4, 3-4), Average: 6.14, High/Low: 5/8
What They’re Saying: “After being ranked as high as third in the country, OSU lost four straight including twice to top 25 teams before bouncing back versus Illinois. The Buckeyes haven't lost by more than ten in any of those contests though, which means they aren't far from where they once were. OSU did lose to Nebraska though…” – Matt Dlugie
7. Purdue Boilermakers, (13-6, 3-3), Average: 7.71, High/Low: 5/9
What They’re Saying: “Much like their rivals to the south, the Boilers have been inconsistent and seem to be NIT bound. Purdue needed a last minute rally to beat Penn State at home and followed up that performance with a horrible loss in double OT at Northwestern. Purdue has a fantastic chance to right the ship in front of the rabid Mackey Arena crowd versus slipping Wisconsin.” – Sam Rumpza
8. Indiana Hoosiers, (12-7, 2-4), Average: 8.14, High/Low: 7/10
What They’re Saying: “The Hoosiers are bad. There, I said it. Young and inexperienced, nobody can shoot, Tom Crean continues to make questionable decisions, and they have no consistency. They will have to bounce back in a big way if they hope to make the tournament. Every player is going to have to step up. The only positives this team has is Noah Vonleh continues to be a double-double machine, and Stan Robinson is starting to develop into a decent player.” –Andrew Vailliencourt
9. Northwestern Wildcats, (10-10, 3-4), Average: 9, High/Low: 6/10
What They’re Saying: “The Wildcats are a hard team to place in the Big Ten. Talent wise, it’s a bottom-tier team, but so far the Wildcats have beaten Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue. They’re using their defense to slow down opponents and force them to make contested shots, something none of those three teams were able to do. Northwestern is playing outside it’s skill level, and it’s thanks to the superb coaching of first year head coach Chris Collins.” -Tori Ziege
10. Illinois Fighting Illini, (13-7, 2-5), Average: 9.71, High/Low: 8/12
What They’re Saying: “Once ranked No. 23, U of I has continued to flounder as of late. John Groce is going to need to work some magic because his intense attitude can quickly become a negative on a team struggling to find a win.” – Matt Dlugie
11. Nebraska Cornhuskers, (9-9, 1-5), Average: 11, High/Low: 10/12
What They’re Saying: “Despite beating a limping Ohio State Monday night, Nebrasketball still has a long way to go. Was it the biggest win in the Tim Miles era? Unquestionably. Should you expect this team to win many more? Absolutely not.” –Kevin Hyland
“I had something really nice written about the Cornhuskers, and then they come out and lose to Penn State.”-Ethan Gaba
12. Penn State Nittany Lions, (10-10, 1-6), Average: 11.71, High/Low: 11/12
What They’re Saying: “Penn State gets to be in the 11 spot in my rankings thanks to their win in the all important game against Nebraska. Put this team in a different conference and they are an average team, but this team won't win many games in the Big Ten, and will play their usual spoiler role throughout the season.” –Andrew Vailliencourt
