By Paul M. Banks 1. Purdue (20-3, 9-3) yes, the Spartans still didn't have a 100% Kalin Lucas, but winning at the Breslin Center is still winning at the Breslin Center. And the Boilers, winners of five in a row, now look like the conference team positioned to make the best tournament run in March. 2. Michigan State (19-6, 9-3) Every team hits a rough patch at some … [Read more...] about Big 10 Power Rankings 2-11
big ten power rankings
Big Ten Power Rankings 2-4
By Paul M. Banks 1. Michigan State (19-4, 9-1) As bad as the Kalin Lucas injury looked, it's not that bad. The green & white nation can all breathe in a collective sigh of relief. However, right when it seemed like State was going to floor it and put everyone back in their rearview mirror, a funny thing happened- a conference race began. 2. Wisconsin (17-5, … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 2-4
Big Ten Power Rankings 1-28
By Paul M. Banks 1. Michigan State (19-3, 9-0) The first 9-0 (or even 8-0) team in State history. As the Spartans begin to pull away in the conference race, those early season losses to Florida and North Carolina look like they happened in 2002. Some of their wins have been ugly yes, but then again so is Big Ten basketball some of the time. 2. Ohio State (15-6, … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 1-28
Big 10 Power Rankings 1-22
By Paul M. Banks 1. Michigan State (16-3, 6-0) Who's the class of the conference yet again? This decade has belonged to the Spartans in basketball, the same manner that the Buckeyes have owned the gridiron. 2. Ohio State (14-5, 4-3) When you have the league's best player (that would be Evan Turner NOT Kalin Lucas), back in midseason form, you deserve to grab the #2 … [Read more...] about Big 10 Power Rankings 1-22
Big Ten Power Rankings 1-14
By Paul M. Banks 1. Michigan State (14-3, 4-0) They're starting near "March season form" now, as they're getting out into the open court more. Even though a couple of their last opponents have a style that doesn't exactly lend the pace of the game to such things. A big reason is junior wing Durrell Summers. Who described what the key to the Spartans' running game has … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 1-14
Big Ten Power Rankings 12-30
By Paul M. Banks 1. Purdue (12-0, 1-0) Now that conference play has started for what seems like the earliest point in history, it's time to decide who the conference favorite is, and it's pretty obvious as the Boilers are off to their best start since the Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson era 2. Michigan State (9-3) They are a tad overrated. Even in this specific power … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 12-30
Big 10 Power Rankings 12-17
By Paul M. Banks 1. Purdue (9-0) Their nucleus has an excellent mix of NBA level athletes, college talent that excels in their system, and tough hard-working role players. In other words, they have the blue print in place that you need to go far in March in today's college game. 2. Michigan State (8-2) So this a typical (H to tha) Izzo team? That redeems themselves … [Read more...] about Big 10 Power Rankings 12-17
Big Ten Power Rankings 12-10
By Paul M. Banks 1. Purdue (8-0) Matt Painter has to be considered one of the top young coaches in the game today. Making the Gene Keady coaching tree looking even stronger. Here he is in his own words. 2. Michigan State (7-2) What a uninspiring, ho-hum preconference season so far. The nice win over Gonzaga is cancelled out by their flat and unexciting wins over … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 12-10
Big Ten Power Rankings ACC Challenge Edition
By Paul M. Banks Feast Week saw numerous opponents feasting on the conference. The Big Ten's top and middle proved to be nothing more than a soft underbelly during the multitude of holiday tournaments. But at least Purdue and Northwestern won their invitationals. The conference has a quick turnaround to win back respectability. The ACC Challenge is here, and this is THE year … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings ACC Challenge Edition
Big Ten Power Rankings 11-20
By Paul M. Banks For this week I’m including the insights of a very special guest for my Power Rankings. I recently had an exclusive with Ohio State legend Jim Jackson, the only man every to win the Big Ten Player of the Year Award twice, and current Big Ten Network analyst. I’ll be using some of the best information nuggets he gave when rating the conference 1. Michigan … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings 11-20