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 been “Rebounding. If our inside guys and our wings like myself can get the ball, coach is comfortable with all of us pushing it and igniting the break. and if everyone is unselfish and aggressive at the same than it’s a jailbreak.”
2. 
Purdue (14-2, 2-2)
Missed best start in school history by just one game. And now back-to-back losses? Matt Painter needs to right the ship, and soon. He probably will, as the schedule gets slightly easier now. Just three more victories and Painter joins the 100 win club. Time flies doesn’t it?
3. 
Wisconsin (14-3, 3-1)
Jon Leuer rounds out the Big Ten’s “All-Injured Team”. To see who else is on the all-injured team click here Bo Ryan said in the first post game press conference after the first game without Leuer. “It sucks, we got to have guys step up
4. 
Ohio State (12-5, 2-3)
His second game back, Evan Turner scores a new career high in points. It’s safe to HE’S BACK and the rest of the league better take notice. By the way, he’s really good friends with another one of the league’s best players: Penn State’s Talor Battle “Evan Turner playing the point guard. I was just downstairs laughing- he’s a good friend of mine. He’s been texting me all summer, I’m a point guard now, I hope you can guard a 6’7” point guard,” Battle said about Turner.
5. 
Minnesota (12-5, 3-2)
Some may not agree with this idea, but Al Nolen really is what makes them go, or not go. Nolen is the one “attacking the tin” as Bill Raftery would say, and drawing fouls which is key to making Tubby’s offense run.
Is this the worst 4-0 team in Big Ten history? Maybe, none of those wins have truly been pretty. But maybe not, I think Saturday in East Lansing, we’ll certainly find out more. The last time they started 4-0 in conference play? The “Champaign Campaign”, national title game appearance year of ’04-’05. But hey, as long as they’re not playing on a neutral court (where all 5 of their losses have come this season) they do slightly resemble that team.
7. 
Northwestern (12-4, 1-3)
Not exactly the start anyone was looking for to the conference season. But on the bright side, they would have to pretty much stop trying in order to NOT get the new school record for single season wins. Will freshman guard Alex Marcotullio finally hit a three and end his slump? Will I hear and share an even better soundbite than Notre Dame’s Mike Brey’s “We knew about Marcello. We knew what he could do to us” (in response to Marcotullio’s perimeter display against the Irish earlier this season) Because after all if the Irish head man knew so much much about “Marcello,” he should probably at least have known his name.
8. 
Michigan (8-7, 2-2)
Tim Hardaway Jr. headlines their recruiting class in 2011. I wonder if he “hates gay people” like his father. If so, he’s going to fit in real well in the hippy commune that is Ann Arbor.
9. 
Indiana (7-8, 1-2)
They would be so much better if Maurice Creek was here. The key to Hoosier victories? Holding opponents under 66 points, they’re 6-0 when that occurs.
10. 
Penn State (8-8, 0-4)
Think this is a one man team? Talor Battle has played every minute but three in big ten play, and currently leads the Nittany Lions in scoring, rebounding, assists, minutes, and steals. “Guys have been keying in on me defensively, I heard Bruce Weber all game yelling wherever I was at, I felt like he was guarding me,” Battle told me following a 54-53 loss to the Illini.
11. 
Iowa (6-11, 0-4)
How is this season looking? Uhh, umm, let’s talk about the 2011 signees: you got Ben Brust from Mundelein, IL to add guard depth, Cody Larson from Sioux Falls, S.D. he’s got some size, and uh…well, it’s just best to think about 2011 in Iowa City.