Feast Week provided plenty of opportunity for teams in the Big Ten to prove themselves. Many took advantage, but some struggled. Indiana once again proved they are hard to take seriously after a rough trip to the Bahamas. As for Purdue, Wisconsin, and the Oregon Ducks, they are proving to be the contenders thus far. One thing is for sure this week’s Big Ten power rankings are starting to show who the real contenders and pretenders are in 2024-25.
Big Ten Power Rankings: Who Are the Contenders and Pretenders
18. Minnesota (6-3) Last Week: 17th
The Gophers dropped a spot this week after a rough time at the ESPN Events Invitational. Minnesota lost against Wichita State and Wake Forest at the holiday event in Florida. They rebounded with a home win against Bethune Cookman on Sunday, but Conference play begins against Michigan State this week. The Gophers might not stay at the bottom of the Big Ten power rankings for long.
17. USC (5-3) Last Week: 15th
Despite a hot start, the Trojans have stumbled through the last several games. A 71-36 loss against Saint Mary’s has USC trending in the wrong direction. They quickly followed that sorry excuse for a performance with a loss against New Mexico. They open conference play with No. 12 Oregon on Wednesday. It’s going to get dicey fast.
16. Washington (6-1) Last Week: 18th
What a difference a week makes. The Huskies looked like a team trending in the wrong direction in last week’s Big Ten power rankings. However, beating Colorado State and Santa Clara at the Acrisure Invitational has Washington trending up. Tyler Harris has given the Huskies some great minutes and has scored 24 or more points in two of his last three games. Welcome to the Big Ten means a clash at UCLA this week.
15. Northwestern (6-2) Last Week: 16th
Chris Collins’ Wildcats have to feel good after beating UNLV in the third-place game of the Arizona Tip-Off Cactus Divison event. That was a big response to their two-point loss against the Butler Bulldogs. Brooks Barnhizer has looked great since making his return to the floor. His 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists were huge against the Rebels. With a road trip to Iowa and a huge rivalry game against No. 19 Illinois on deck, Northwestern could be flirting with the bubble quickly.
14. Rutgers (5-3) Last Week: 14th
The Scarlet Knights certainly have fun players to watch. Despite 30-point-plus performances from Dylan Harper , the Scarlet Knights have flirted with disaster. It has cost them their last two games against No. 9 Alabama and No. 20 Texas A&M. They still have chances to make noise, but dropping games against such high-level teams, won’t help their NCAA hopes. Opening conference play at Ohio State should show where Rutgers stands this season.
13. Iowa (6-1) Last Week: 12th
I’m not hating on the Hawkeyes but they only played one game last week. It was against USC Upstate and sure they won. But giving up 77 points to a 2-8 team doesn’t feel great. Games against Northwestern and Michigan should show where Iowa stands. For now, they are 13th in this week’s Big Ten power rankings.
12. Indiana (5-2) Last Week: 4th
The biggest losers this week were the Hoosiers of Indiana. A rough trip to the Bahamas will do that. Getting blown out by Louisville isn’t a good look. Then to get run off the floor by Gonzaga in the consolation 2nd round. At least they got past Providence for a 7th-place finish at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Their bigs have been scoring well, but if Myles Rice keeps disappearing it’s only going to get worse. The seat feels hot for Coach Woodson. They got a couple of non-conference games this week to get things right before Big Ten play.
11. Penn State (7-1) Last Week: 10th
I love Penn State, they are playing consistently and look like a borderline NCAA tournament team thus far. They reached the Sunshine Slam Beach Division Championship last week. Sure they came up short against the Clemson Tigers, but the fight and grit are there. They will need it this week with Purdue coming into Bryce Jordan Center.
10. Maryland (7-1) Last Week: 11th
Since their four-point loss against Top 10-ranked Marquette, the Terps have been rattling off wins. Derik Queen and Julian Reese have been making sure Maryland keeps winning. This week we will find out what they are worth with games against Ohio State and a trip to Mackey Arena to face Purdue.
9. Michigan (6-1) Last Week: 13th
The Wolverines had a great trip down to Fort Myers. They not only beat Virginia Tech but they also got a convincing win against a ranked Xavier team 78-53. Danny Wolf finally looked the part in the win. Now Michigan has another huge ranked game as they travel to Madison to face Wisconsin to open Big Ten play. The two teams that look like Darkhorse contenders in the Big Ten, what a great way to start conference play for both squads.
8. UCLA (6-1) Last Week: 9th
UCLA looks to have gotten things corrected since losing to New Mexico in Las Vegas in the second game of the season. Sure they haven’t played the highest of competition since then. Washington and Oregon to start Big Ten play will truly show where the Bruins stand. Are they a contender or a pretender?
7. Nebraska (6-1) Last Week: 8th
Fred Hoiberg has the Huskers rolling. Sure that win at Creighton doesn’t look as great on the Bluejays’ part after an ugly week, but Nebraska can keep the momentum going this week. Especially if they can walk into the Breslin Center and hand Tom Izzo and Michigan State a loss, much like they did last season in Lincoln.
6. Ohio State (5-2) Last Week: 5th
The Buckeyes took a step back after an ugly performance against the Pitt Panthers. Much like their football team blew “the game” against rival Michigan, Ohio State slipped up in overtime. If the Buckeyes want to be taken seriously they can’t lose at home. Not with Rutgers being their first home conference game. Before that they have to try and get a win on the road at Maryland. That’s no easy feat.
5. Michigan State (6-2) Last Week: 6th
Michigan State is oozing with confidence after coming home from Maui with a 2-1 record. Despite a tough loss against a strong Memphis team, the Spartans knocked off North Carolina in the third-place game in overtime. Sure, it was only Coach Izzo’s fourth-ever win against the Tar Heels, but a career night for Jeremy Fears Jr , Coen Carr , and Xavier Booker was huge. Not to mention, Tre Holloman is starting to find his shot from deep. Will the momentum carry over to Minneapolis, as the Spartans visit Minnesota to open conference action?
FOUGHT TO THE FINISH pic.twitter.com/P9N1eZTCna
— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 28, 2024
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4. Illinois (6-1) Last Week: 4th
I’m not discounting the Fighting Illini by dropping them to fourth. Then again they were there last week too. They haven’t done anything disappointing. Far from it. Since losing to Alabama, Illinois has rattled off three straight wins. That included taking down John Calipari’s Arkansas team 90-77 in Kansas City. Are they ready for conference play, because first up is rival Northwestern?
3. Purdue (7-1) Last Week: 2nd
Purdue had another perfect week. They beat NC State and Ole Miss to win the Rady Children’s Invitational, which is their fourth-straight holiday tournament win in a row. That Ole Miss game was a close one as the Boilers snuck out a two-point win. I’m not punishing them. I just have two teams ahead by a mere margin, given their performance the past couple of weeks and the fact of some common opponents. A road trip to Penn State to start their Big Ten defense will show what they are made of.
Back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to……
: 2021 Tip-off Classic
: #18 North Carolina, #5 Villanova
— Purdue Men’s Basketball (@BoilerBall) November 30, 2024
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2. Oregon (8-0) Last Week: 7th
The Ducks had the best week of any team in the Big Ten. Not only did they beat rival Oregon State in Corvallis, but they also went to Paradise, Nevada, and came home as champions of the Players Era Festival. In doing so they took down NCAA tournament teams in Texas &M, San Diego State, and Alabama. TJ Bamba showed up in a big way, and Coach Altman sure has the Ducks near the top of the Big Ten. Can they maintain it with games at USC and against UCLA to open conference play?
1. Wisconsin (8-0) Last Week: 1st
The Badgers might not have this spot much longer. Oregon and Purdue are right there with them. John Tonje is legit. He’ll have a chance to show with games against Michigan and a rivalry match-up at No. 5 Marquette this week. The Badgers’ hold on the top spot in the Big Ten power rankings is shrinking.
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