Big Ten season is in full force for Wisconsin basketball and the rest of the conference. The Badgers currently sit in first place in the Big Ten with a 5-0 record and are ranked 11th in the country. The other ranked teams are Purdue (2) and Illinois (14).
Does the unbeaten record in conference result in Wisconsin basketball being at the top of the Big Ten rankings this week? Here are my Big Ten Rankings as of today.
Big Ten Power Rankings
- Wisconsin
- Purdue
- Illinois
- Northwestern
- Indiana
- Michigan State
- Nebraska
- Ohio State
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Penn State
- Rutgers
- Michigan
Why Wisconsin Basketball at 1?
I have no doubt Purdue, when playing right, is arguably the top team in the country. Zach Edey is nightmare to defend and they are loaded with perimeter shooters. I would be shocked if the Boilermakers were not in the second weekend in the NCAA Tournament.
However, right now, Wisconsin basketball is playing the best in the Big Ten. While they have not played Purdue or Illinois yet, they own a two game conference lead over both teams. Not only that, the Badgers have beaten their first five conference games by double digits with the exception of an eight point win against Northwestern.
I am not sure if the Badgers will stay at the top, but I have no reason to believe, based on how this team is playing, that they can’t stay there It’s some good basketball being played by this Wisconsin basketball team.
Other Big Ten Takeaways
Three teams stick out to me in these rankings: Indiana, Nebraska, and Michigan State. I think there are still a lot to learn about these three teams. If I had to add a fourth team, it would be Iowa.
Indiana has a brutal three game stretch with Purdue tonight, at Wisconsin Friday, and then at Illinois to follow. While the Hoosiers currently sit at 4-2 in the conference, they are a different team on the road than they are at home.
I have been hesitant about the Nebraska Cornhuskers this season. Like Indiana, they play really well at home, but have also lost by double digits on the road twice. They own a great win against Purdue last week. Will they be able to win enough road games in the conference to get in the tournament? I think both Indiana and Nebraska need some road wins or they will have to rely on the Big Ten Tournament.
We always wait for the Michigan State Spartans to show up this time of year. They are currently 2-4 in the conference, but I still think they have the experience to sneak into the top six by the end of the regular season.
There is still a lot of Big Ten play to go. It will be a roller coaster six weeks before the Big Ten Tournament March 13-17.
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