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B1G Things: Basketball Power Rankings 12/5 « Hawkeye NationHawkeye Nation
Here is my latest set of power rankings following the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. These rankings are based on who is doing what now, not necessarily based on where I think things will play out in March. They are a week to week barometer of play.
1. Wisconsin: When the Badgers are playing against a team with the a pulse, you can expect the outcome to be in the 40's or 50's. They beat Virginia 48-38 on Wednesday night in a game that only a Badger fan could love. Seriously, only a Badger fan could love that sort of horrific style. But, Bo just wins and the 9-0 start for them is one of their best in school history. This team is very perimeter dependent; 23 of their 52 field goal attempts (44.2%) were from beyond the arc against Virginia and they made just five of those and 15 total field goals for the game. But the Badgers too the air out of the ball, limited possessions and played vice grip defense; Virginia had just 47 field goal attempts (making only 11) and were 1-11 from three themselves, while the Badgers committed just seven turnovers. Again, this is ugly, ugly basketball...but Bo's stylistic shortcomings add up to W's and right now, the Badgers are playing the best team ball of any team in the league .
2. Iowa: I know, you're hollering 'HOMER!'. Right now, if Iowa played any team in the Big Ten on a neutral court and without Ted Valentine as one of the officials, I wouldn't be shocked one bit if Iowa were the victor. The games at Michigan State and Ohio State are still going to favor those teams, as they would at Wisconsin and Michigan, possibly even Minnesota...at least in Vegas. I am emphasizing right now because having watched every Big Ten team play parts of at least one game, most of them have a good deal of work to get done. That's the case with most every team right now, including Michigan State and Ohio State. I think Iowa has fewer questions right now than does Ohio State, whose played just seven games and Maryland being their toughest foe.
3. Michigan State: The Spartans looked soft against North Carolina. There, I said it. North Carolina shot just 44 percent, so that didn't tip the scales. They were just 2-11 from three, so that didn't tip the scales. They committed 20 fouls to Michigan State's 19, so that didn't tip the scales. What did? The glass; UNC had a 49-48 rebounding advantage on the Spartans, including +3 on the glass, in the Breslin Center. Maybe the Spartans are still trying to learn how to play basketball where you are not allowed to grab the guard as they attempt to dribble past you, or where you can lean into an opponent with the ball with your forearm as a brace across their back? Maybe this was just a blip on the radar for them but since beating Kentucky, they haven't looked all that great, or at least not like the #1 team in the nation.
4. Ohio State: It's still early and the Buckeyes haven't been tested. Really, they won't be tested until the Big Ten season begins as their pre-conference schedule just doesn't have those tough outs you'd expect to see from a team ranked as highly as they are; Notre Dame is their highest rated foe the rest of the way and they'll begin the Big Ten season against Purdue and Nebraska. So the Buckeyes will start the year 15-0 before they play at Michigan State and then they host Iowa. I'm just not a believer in their lofty ranking and on a neutral court and again, no Valentine and if the rules are called the way they are supposed to be called, I'd take the three teams listed over Ohio State.
5. Michigan: The Wolverines are going through a growth phase and that starts at point guard with Derrick Walton. He's talented but he is a freshman. He has 24 assists in Michigan's eight games (not a big number for a player averaging 26 minutes per game) but he's committed 20 turnovers. Mitch McGary is still trying to feel his way through this new reality (Life without Trey Burke) and is averaging just 9.3ppg. Glen Robinson junior is off to a less than expected start, too. Many of his key numbers are lower than they were a year ago. We'll see how things play out for these two the rest of the season but as of right now they may have cost themselves some money choosing to return to college. Nik Stauskas is making some, though.
It's at this point where the eyeball test really is the primary barometer.
6. Indiana: In a head to head neutral game, I'd choose Indiana. They have some nice young talent around Yogi Farrell and Will Sheehey, namely in Noah Vonleh. He is a beast of a youngster! This team will be frustrating for Indiana fans as the young ones grow up, but they could be dangerous later in the year if they can overcome The Wall.
7. Illinois: I put them here because they have something no one below them has; Reyvonte Rice. They are also young and sometimes the moment is too big for them, such as at Georgia Tech on Tuesday.
8. Minnesota: This is a small ball team, but they have good ones in the Hollins boys.
9. Nebraska: Nice win at Miami last night and they also own a win against Georgia. Up next is as road game at Creighton on Sunday, a huge barometer for them and a game they need to win in order to convert some skeptics.
10. Purdue: I'd favor them on a neutral over the teams below them. That's really where I am at with this right now. AJ Hammons can be dominant, but he has been far from that so far this year.
11. Penn State: Their duo of Frazier and Newbill will help them upset some teams at home. Iowa plays there February 15th.
12. Northwestern: This is a transitional year for the Wildcats...or at least that is what people will say and write. They are transitioning to a new style, a new era under Chris Collins. I am dubious as to if it will work, as recruiting is going to be the big challenge into this program. Their gym isn't much different than Cameron Indoor or the old North Carolina Carmichael Arena...it's just that they have no tradition and have never been to an NCAA tournament.
Here is my latest set of power rankings following the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. These rankings are based on who is doing what now, not necessarily based on where I think things will play out in March. They are a week to week barometer of play.
1. Wisconsin: When the Badgers are playing against a team with the a pulse, you can expect the outcome to be in the 40's or 50's. They beat Virginia 48-38 on Wednesday night in a game that only a Badger fan could love. Seriously, only a Badger fan could love that sort of horrific style. But, Bo just wins and the 9-0 start for them is one of their best in school history. This team is very perimeter dependent; 23 of their 52 field goal attempts (44.2%) were from beyond the arc against Virginia and they made just five of those and 15 total field goals for the game. But the Badgers too the air out of the ball, limited possessions and played vice grip defense; Virginia had just 47 field goal attempts (making only 11) and were 1-11 from three themselves, while the Badgers committed just seven turnovers. Again, this is ugly, ugly basketball...but Bo's stylistic shortcomings add up to W's and right now, the Badgers are playing the best team ball of any team in the league .
2. Iowa: I know, you're hollering 'HOMER!'. Right now, if Iowa played any team in the Big Ten on a neutral court and without Ted Valentine as one of the officials, I wouldn't be shocked one bit if Iowa were the victor. The games at Michigan State and Ohio State are still going to favor those teams, as they would at Wisconsin and Michigan, possibly even Minnesota...at least in Vegas. I am emphasizing right now because having watched every Big Ten team play parts of at least one game, most of them have a good deal of work to get done. That's the case with most every team right now, including Michigan State and Ohio State. I think Iowa has fewer questions right now than does Ohio State, whose played just seven games and Maryland being their toughest foe.
3. Michigan State: The Spartans looked soft against North Carolina. There, I said it. North Carolina shot just 44 percent, so that didn't tip the scales. They were just 2-11 from three, so that didn't tip the scales. They committed 20 fouls to Michigan State's 19, so that didn't tip the scales. What did? The glass; UNC had a 49-48 rebounding advantage on the Spartans, including +3 on the glass, in the Breslin Center. Maybe the Spartans are still trying to learn how to play basketball where you are not allowed to grab the guard as they attempt to dribble past you, or where you can lean into an opponent with the ball with your forearm as a brace across their back? Maybe this was just a blip on the radar for them but since beating Kentucky, they haven't looked all that great, or at least not like the #1 team in the nation.
4. Ohio State: It's still early and the Buckeyes haven't been tested. Really, they won't be tested until the Big Ten season begins as their pre-conference schedule just doesn't have those tough outs you'd expect to see from a team ranked as highly as they are; Notre Dame is their highest rated foe the rest of the way and they'll begin the Big Ten season against Purdue and Nebraska. So the Buckeyes will start the year 15-0 before they play at Michigan State and then they host Iowa. I'm just not a believer in their lofty ranking and on a neutral court and again, no Valentine and if the rules are called the way they are supposed to be called, I'd take the three teams listed over Ohio State.
5. Michigan: The Wolverines are going through a growth phase and that starts at point guard with Derrick Walton. He's talented but he is a freshman. He has 24 assists in Michigan's eight games (not a big number for a player averaging 26 minutes per game) but he's committed 20 turnovers. Mitch McGary is still trying to feel his way through this new reality (Life without Trey Burke) and is averaging just 9.3ppg. Glen Robinson junior is off to a less than expected start, too. Many of his key numbers are lower than they were a year ago. We'll see how things play out for these two the rest of the season but as of right now they may have cost themselves some money choosing to return to college. Nik Stauskas is making some, though.
It's at this point where the eyeball test really is the primary barometer.
6. Indiana: In a head to head neutral game, I'd choose Indiana. They have some nice young talent around Yogi Farrell and Will Sheehey, namely in Noah Vonleh. He is a beast of a youngster! This team will be frustrating for Indiana fans as the young ones grow up, but they could be dangerous later in the year if they can overcome The Wall.
7. Illinois: I put them here because they have something no one below them has; Reyvonte Rice. They are also young and sometimes the moment is too big for them, such as at Georgia Tech on Tuesday.
8. Minnesota: This is a small ball team, but they have good ones in the Hollins boys.
9. Nebraska: Nice win at Miami last night and they also own a win against Georgia. Up next is as road game at Creighton on Sunday, a huge barometer for them and a game they need to win in order to convert some skeptics.
10. Purdue: I'd favor them on a neutral over the teams below them. That's really where I am at with this right now. AJ Hammons can be dominant, but he has been far from that so far this year.
11. Penn State: Their duo of Frazier and Newbill will help them upset some teams at home. Iowa plays there February 15th.
12. Northwestern: This is a transitional year for the Wildcats...or at least that is what people will say and write. They are transitioning to a new style, a new era under Chris Collins. I am dubious as to if it will work, as recruiting is going to be the big challenge into this program. Their gym isn't much different than Cameron Indoor or the old North Carolina Carmichael Arena...it's just that they have no tradition and have never been to an NCAA tournament.
