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 later in the year for their early preconference missteps? Remember, a few months before they won the national title, they lost to Wright St. Yes, Wright St.

3. Northwestern (8-1)

I can’t say this high a ranking will last, but no team in the conference below them has a more impressive body of work. And look out for the freshman from Naperville Drew Crawford. When he blew up for 35 points on Sunday, it was a new high for a Big Ten player this season. NU shot 20-47 from behind the arc in that game, both conference records.

4. Illinois (8-2)
They are finally playing Bruce Weber style defense now. And I guarantee you this team will NOT finish with a single game scoring total in the 30s or 40s like they did on three occasions last year. These Illini have a lot more up-tempo punch than last season’s model.

5. Ohio State (8-2)

The loss of Evan Turner, (who’s only the best player in the conference) reared its ugly head in the loss to Butler. The Bulldogs have looked extremely overrated this season, and I have no doubt the Buckeyes would have smoked them if Turner was still there.

6. Wisconsin (8-2)

As you might have noticed, there weren’t a ton of changes in the rankings this week, and it seems like every single team in the conference has the exact same record of 8-2.

7. Minnesota (8-3)
We didn’t really learn much more about them this week.

8. Indiana (4-5)
All that good feeling in the win over Pittsburgh vanished when they didn’t put a better fight against Kentucky. “Crean and Crimson” will get there though…relatively soon.