Big Ten power rankings

By Jason Kohler, written on Jan. 6, 2009

Each week, the Big Ten Network ranks the Big Ten basketball teams. The basketball writers ranked the Big Ten teams before the season started, too.

After a week into conference play, I thought I’d rank the Big Ten teams. These rankings are not determined by a team’s overall or Big Ten record but on how I feel the team is performing.

So, with no further ado, here are the first set of rankings:

1) Michigan State (11-2 overall, 2-0 Big Ten)
The Spartans slipped up early in the year with losses to Maryland and North Carolina, but over the last few weeks they’ve been on a tear. They gained a huge confidence boosting victory when they knocked off Texas in Houston. Michigan State kicked off the Big Ten play by giving Minnesota its only loss of the season and then pushing past Northwestern. Now this is the Spartan squad the Daily projected as the pre-season Big Ten Champs.

2) Minnesota (13-1, 1-1)
Believe it or not, the Golden Gophers are the real deal. Heading into the season, Minnesota lacked an inside presence. But freshman Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III have clocked in some valuable minutes down low, collectively averaging about 14 points and eight rebounds per game. The Gophers really impressed me with a complete team victory over Ohio State, enough so that I’m confident at placing them this high in the rankings.

3) Wisconsin (11-3, 2-0)
How are the Badgers not ranked? Yes they have three losses, but look who they’ve lost to: No. 5 Connecticut, No. 7 Texas and No. 18 Marquette. Not too shabby. And if you watched Wisconsin manhandle Michigan last Wednesday, you know how good Wisconsin can be. The Badgers put on a clinic in Crisler Arena on how to play fundamentally sound basketball. They will definitely be a contender to win the conference crown. What’s new?

4) Michigan (11-3, 1-1)
The Wolverines needed to beat Illinois to save face after a dismal loss to Wisconsin. And they did. Michigan played one of its best halves of the season to close out Illinois. Beilein’s squad uncharacteristically pushed the ball into the paint, catching the Fighting Illini off guard after Michigan launched a season-high 18 3-pointers in the first half. At this point of the season, the Wolverines are in good shape to make the big dance.

5) Illinois (13-2, 1-1)
The Illini were flying under the radar for most of the season until they upset Purdue in the Big Ten opener. They’re on everybody’s radar now. Michigan was ready for them Sunday, but Illinois still almost pulled off the win on the road. The Illini now have a week off before facing Indiana and Michigan at home. After a tough loss to Michigan, they’ll definitely be hungry to play.

6) Purdue (11-3, 0-1)
I know what you’re thinking. There’s no way Purdue’s the sixth-best team in the Big Ten. But here are the facts. The Boilermakers’ biggest win is against Boston College (not Davidson, who will get trampled by Duke tomorrow) and they’ve lost twice at home. Most recently, Illinois came into West Lafayette and Purdue starts the Big Ten season in the hole. Sunday’s game against Wisconsin will show how much mettle this team really has.

7) Ohio State (10-2, 1-1)
I’m sorry Buckeyes, but the Big Ten is tough this year. Well, really, I’m not that sorry. The loss of David Lighty has hurt Ohio State. The Buckeyes have lost twice since the absence of their third-leading scorer and it looks like they will lose again tonight against Michigan State.

8 ) Penn State (12-3, 1-1)
There is a huge drop off from the top-seven teams in the conference and the bottom few teams. Penn State is improved from last season, but it still doesn’t have a marquee win. The Nittany Lions almost got that win against Wisconsin on Saturday. But they just couldn’t pull off the upset. Still, don’t be surprised if Penn State shocks some teams this season. Also don’t be surprised if it gets blown out.

9) Iowa (11-4, 1-1)

Iowa and Northwestern are about equal in my book, but the Hawkeyes have conference win, so I’ll give them the edge. Simple as that.

10) Northwestern (8-4, 0-2)
Northwestern went on the road and kept up with Michigan State and almost beat Penn State. But there’s a reason the Wildcats are the only team in a major conference not to make the NCAA Tournament. My point. At the end of the day, they still lost.

11) Indiana (5-8, 0-1)
Oh how the mighty have fallen. I hated Kelvin Sampson. So when he left the program in scandal, I’m not going to lie, I was a little (a lot) happy. But Indiana will be back. Someday. Maybe. But I have a feeling the Hoosiers will be stuck at the bottom of this list all season.