The Big Ten bracket began to thicken in late November, with contenders and tournament hopefuls beginning to come into focus just as the bottom of the conference fell into a hole.
We now have three conference favorites, with a championship game starting this week, plus maybe seven to eight other teams with a legitimate shot at the NCAA Tournament. Afterwards, it becomes unpleasant.
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From the top.
Note: Recordings through Sunday’s games.
1. Purdue (7-0)
Previous: 1
There was no reason to remove Purdue from the top line. The Boilermakers will have their next real test at Iowa State, which will take place in West Lafayette this weekend.
2. Michigan (7-0)
Previous: 3
There is a real argument in favor of Wolverines again at No. 1, after their dominant in Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. KenPom agrees. This is currently a 1a/1b situation.
3. Michigan State (7-0)
Previous: 2
It’s tough for the Spartans to fall, such was the extent of Michigan’s dominance. Tom Izzo’s team already has three wins in the KenPom top 40, including two on neutral ground.
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4. Indiana (7-0)
Previous: 5
Darian DeVries’ team easily overtook Kansas Statemaking the Wildcats look human offensively. This week begins a stretch of four consecutive high-profile games, including at Kentucky and Louisville on a neutral court. We’ll soon know what IU is talking about.
5. Iowa (7-0)
Previous: 8
A bit of a jump for Ben McCollum and Co., but the Hawkeyes are looking at the role analytically so far. They beat Ole Mademoiselle and Xavier, and they are top 30 in adjusted efficiency, both offensively and defensively.
6.Illinois (6-2)
Previous: 4
The Illini are not affected by their defeats, Alabama in Chicago and UConn in New York, especially since the teams that beat them are credited with their victories. But 3-point shooting is a growing concern in Champaign.
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7. USC (7-0)
Previous: 9
THE Trojan horses It took three overtimes to dispose of Troy at home, but they backed that up with a Maui Invitational championship. USC appears better equipped for the Big Ten this year.
8. Nebraska (8-0)
Previous: 11
A new jump, at a time when the rankings certainly remain volatile due to the results at the start of the season. Still, 8-0 with two wins in the KenPom top 100 is worth a nod, especially considering what’s currently behind the Huskers.
9. Wisconsin (5-2)
Previous: 6
This is where the league starts to soften. Wisconsin was buried by BYU then lost to TCU on a neutral field. The Badgers have struggled defensively over the past two weeks.
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10. Ohio State (6-1)
Previous: 10
THE Buckeyes remain still because of what has happened around them. Losing to Pitt wasn’t ideal but at least it was on the road. Illinois and North Carolina before Christmas will tell us more.
11. UCLA (5-2)
Previous: 7
This isn’t really a punishment for Cal’s loss (Cal could be good this season…?) but rather a reflection of UCLA’s complete lack of quality early on. Bruins I have yet to beat a team in the KenPom top 200.
12. North West (5-2)
Previous: 14
Chris Collins’ team narrowly missed the opportunity to earn two more top-100 wins with two five-point losses to Virginia and Oklahoma State in the last two weeks. Wild cats might regret leaving that meat on the bone.
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13. Washington (5-2)
Previous: 16
To be completely transparent, we let the computers take over from here. There’s not much to brag about at the end of the conference at the moment.
14. Oregon (4-3)
Previous: 12
The Players era has not been kind to the bottom of the Big Ten, Oregon Edition: the Ducks lost all three games (Auburn, San Diego State, Creighton) by double digits. Even Chevy Chase had a better Vegas vacation.
15. Maryland (5-3)
Previous: 13
The Players era hasn’t been kind to the bottom of the Big Ten, Maryland Edition: A win over UNLV was backed by losses to Gonzaga (39 points) and Alabama (33 points).
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16. Penn State (7-1)
Previous: 15
A break from the chaos of Vegas! Penn State still hasn’t beaten anyone important, and the Nittany Lions lost to a marginal Providence team on a neutral field two weeks ago.
17. Minnesota (4-4)
Previous: 18
Only the algorithm could knock Minnesota out of last place this week. The Big Ten planners weren’t so nice. The Gophers open with Indiana at home, then Purdue on the road.
18. Rutgers (5-3)
Previous: 17
The era of players has not been kind to the bottom of the Big Ten, Rutgers Edition: a heavy defeat against Tennessee, a close defeat against Notre Dame and a souvenir victory against UNLV. And before all that, a 13-point loss at home to Central Connecticut State, KenPom No. 239.
This article was originally published on the Indianapolis Star: Big Ten men’s college basketball rankings: Purdue, Michigan, State, Indiana
