Big Ten Basketball Power Ranking Through Nov. 26
By Jeremy Karll
No. 9 – No. 6
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-0): Rutgers won seven games last season but already have six wins through the first couple weeks of the 2016-17 season. Sure, the Scarlet Knights toughest opponent to this point has been DePaul, but they have a legitimate chance to finish non-conference play 11-2, and that’s impressive. Until they beat a respectable team, though, they’ll stay down here.
8. Michigan State Spartans (4-3): Michigan State’s three losses have all come to ranked teams. Although, considering the Spartans started the season ranked 12th in the AP Poll, they should have at least won one. Besides, they blew a big lead to Arizona to start the season, lost a halftime lead to Baylor, and Kentucky dominated them from the start. Michigan State will be fine, but right now they’re not fine and not a top-25 team.
7. Indiana Hoosiers (3-1): The great thing about college basketball is that anything can happen. Fort Wayne proved that when they upset Indiana in the biggest upset of the young season. The Hoosiers are good. Thomas Bryant, Og Anunoby and James Blackmon Jr will lead this team deep in the NCAA Tournament. Although, even with a win over Kansas, losing to Fort Wayne in the fourth game of the season doesn’t sit well.
6. Wisconsin Badgers (4-2): Wisconsin’s bench has to step up. They didn’t in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational and the Badgers lost by 15 to North Carolina in a game that didn’t even feel that close. Although, what we learned is that Wisconsin will have a tough time winning against anyone if Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ and Bronson Koenig all struggle. Still, Wisconsin doesn’t look terrible. Plus, they have a quality win over Georgetown and their two losses are to ranked opponents.