Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Penn State Hoops Reaches Its Zenith

By Mike Young on January 19, 2015 at 10:10 am
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What if I told you "combining Penn State basketball with the power of a former VH1 reality TV star would elevate their fame to unforeseen heights?" The worst "30 for 30" of all time is: "Flavor Flav Enjoys Big Ten Basketball."

Despite his association with Penn State hoops, Flav is a legend because he's a rap pioneer. Without him, there'd be no one shouting nonsense behind Trinidad James and any Migos track would be significantly less hype.

In no way am I thankful for Penn State hoops, however. They sit in last place in the return of our Big Ten Power Rankings.


1. Maryland (17-2, 5-1)

Last Week: 73-65 win vs Rutgers, 75-59 win vs Michigan State
This Week: at Indiana, vs Northwestern

Between D'Angelo Russell and Melo Trimble, the Big Ten has the two most productive freshman guards in the country.

Trimble had 21 points and broke out some playground moves in the first half of their win versus Michigan State, which helped the Terps climb to the top of the Big Ten standings. Though he didn't get to the free throw line much in the past two contests, Trimble is still second in the conference in free throws attempted per game. He shoots 88 percent once he gets to the line, adding to his remarkable shooting efficiency.

More good news for Maryland, though: Trimble is responding to the increased physicality of Big Ten play by increasing his range. He hit six three-pointers in the win over MSU.

2. Wisconsin (16-2, 4-1)

Last Week: 70-55 win vs Nebraska
This Week: vs Iowa, at Michigan

The only thing that could derail Wisconsin's chances at a Big Ten title is injuries. Of course, it's happening to them.

They lost to Rutgers without Frank Kaminsky, although he returned for their win over Nebraska. In the second half against the Scarlet Knights, point guard Traevon Jackson fractured his right foot and will reportedly miss five more weeks.

Bronson Koenig assumed the lead guard duties against the Huskers, hitting three three-pointers. His shooting will help spread the floor, even moreso than Jackson's. However, the Badgers' depth is a weakness until Jackson returns.

3. Iowa (13-5, 4-1)

Last Week: 77-75 win at Minnesota, 76-67 win vs Ohio State
This Week: at Wisconsin, at Purdue

Iowa is currently tied with Wisconsin and Indiana, yet only a win behind Maryland for first place in the Big Ten. It's a tenuous spot in the standings, as the Hawkeyes head to Maidson and West Lafayette this week.

Few teams can keep up with Iowa's tempo, which gave Ohio State's transition defense significant issues in their two meetings. Conveniently, Iowa also made progress with its second half issues by pulling away against the Buckeyes, even though the Hawkeyes nearly let them back into the game.

4. Michigan State (12-6, 3-2)

Last Week: 75-59 loss at Maryland
This Week: vs Penn State, at Nebraska

It was a trying non-conference slate for the Spartans, losing to Texas Southern. Their only weakness in B1G play, however, appears to be the Terps.

Michigan State lost to Maryland for the second time this season but has fared well in conference, otherwise. The Spartans have a chance to do damage over the next few weeks, with matchups looming against the bottom half of the conference – playing PSU, Nebraska, Rutgers, Michigan, Illinois and Northwestern over the next month.

5. Indiana (14-4, 4-1)

Last Week: 76-73 win vs Penn State, 80-74 win at Illinois
This Week: vs Maryland, at Ohio State

The Hoosiers are managing to stay afloat despite the injury to their only inside presence, Hanner Mosquera-Perea.

Indiana barely escaped a game against Penn State with a win, just hours after learning Mosquera-Perea would be out two to four weeks with a knee injury. IU followed up that win by beating a banged-up Illini squad in Champaign.

Unfortunately for head coach Tom Crean, his interior defense is struggling without their junior big man. Not that I'm looking to make any excuses for him:

6. Ohio State (14-5, 3-3)

Last Week: 71-52 win vs Michigan, 76-67 loss at Iowa
This Week: at Northwestern, vs Indiana

It's becoming pretty clear Ohio State issues aren't due to the inexperience of their younger players.

D'Angelo Russell struggled against Indiana but broke the 20-point pleateau in every other game this month. Sophomore Marc Loving is among the nation's top 60 players in true shooting percentage. Jae'Sean Tate can boast increased minutes and productivity over the course of the last three games.

The play of the Buckeye seniors is a significant problem, though. I'm not even referring to popular punching-bag Amir Williams. Instead, Shannon Scott and Sam Thompson dug an early hole against Iowa due to their sloppy ball-handling. Scott consistently turned the ball over in the first half of losses against Iowa, North Carolina and Louisville.

Scott was the only Buckeye who played well against Indiana, as the rest of the team struggled from the perimeter. The senior point guard needs to generate better looks for his teammates. The rest of the team, especially Thompson, can't continue to miss open three-pointers when they do get those opportunities.

Until they gain some form of consistency, OSU's lineups never seem to be balanced enough. Ohio State sacrifices shooting with Thompson, Scott and Williams on the floor or takes a significant hit on defense when they go to the bench. Thad Matta can get even his most flawed teams to the tournament; this year will test those abilities.

7. Purdue (11-7, 3-2)

Last Week: 84-77 OT win at Penn State
This Week: at Illinois, vs Iowa

This is where I sense a significant drop-off in the Big Ten. After Ohio State, I'm not reasonably confident any of the remaining eight conference teams can make the NCAA Tournament.

Currently, Purdue is No. 72 in KenPom.com's efficiency rankings. Boilermaker big men A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas give them a significant advantage in size versus everybody in the conference outside of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It's why Purdue is among the nation's best in terms of offensive rebound percentage.

Matt Painter runs his offense through his big men, but doesn't have enough outside shooting to give them enough space in the paint.

8. Michigan (11-7, 4-2)

Last Week: 71-52 loss at Ohio State, 56-54 win vs Northwestern
This Week: at Rutgers, vs Wisconsin

Michigan's four conference wins put it towards the top of the Big Ten standings. Barring a shocking development, it won't stay there.

The Wolverines lost their everything: junior Caris LeVert will miss the rest of the season due to a left foot injury. Since much of the offense runs through him, it's difficult to gauge how well – or poorly – Michigan can play without LeVert.

LeVert is a projected first-round pick, He may have played his last game in Sun and Blue.

9. Nebraska (10-7, 2-3)

Last Week: 70-55 loss at Wisconsin
This Week: vs Minnesota, vs Michigan State

Last year's conference darlings are scuffling, having already lost to Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The Huskers' biggest issue is generating offense from anyone besides high-volume shooters Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields. Even including those two, Nebraska is currently ranked No. 271 overall in offensive efficiency.

The shooting percentages of players not named Petteway or Shields is alarming. In particular, Walter Pitchford's offensive production has taken a nosedive since last year.

10. Illinois (12-7, 2-4)

Last Week: 72-67 win at Northwestern, 80-74 loss vs Indiana
This Week: vs Purdue, at Minnesota

The Big Ten's injury epidemic also hit Illinois hard, as the Illini lost leading scorer Rayvonte Rice with a broken hand.

It didn't affect their upset bid against Maryland, but the Illini are beginning to feel the effects of Rice's absence. Kendrick Nunn and Malcolm Hill are trying to fill the scoring void, but they have to be flawless to lead Illinois to victory. Ahmad Starks hit five three-pointers against Indiana, but he's not consistent enough to help a depth-challenged squad.

11. Minnesota (12-7, 1-5)

Last Week: 77-75 loss vs Iowa, 89-80 win vs Rutgers
This Week: at Nebraska, vs Illinois

The Gophers nearly pulled off a comeback upset of the Hawkeyes but fell to the force of Jarrod Uthoff midrange jumpers. Buckeye fans know that pain.

Minnesota simply isn't good enough on defense in the half court. The Gophers have a size advantage over almost everyone they play and are among the nation's best in forcing turnovers, but they still struggle in terms of defensive efficiency.

Good news, though: Saturday's victory over Rutgers gave the Gophers their first conference win.

12. Rutgers (10-9, 2-4)

Last Week: 73-65 loss at Maryland, 89-80 loss at Minnesota
This Week: vs Michigan, at Penn State

I've been unnecessarily harsh towards the Rutgers program since they came into the league. I actually have a lot of respect for head coach Eddie Jordan; seeing his name makes me sentimental, as it reminds me of the old Cavs-Wizards rivalry.

Rutgers shot out of their minds in the win against Wisconsin, which will be this season's fondest memory for the sad clan of people who consider themselves Scarlet Knights hoops fans.

With injuries to many of the teams above it in these rankings, Rutgers has a chance to move upward.

13. Northwestern (10-8, 1-4)

Last Week: 72-67 loss vs Illinois, 56-54 loss at Michigan
This Week: vs Ohio State, at Maryland

The most annoying game Ohio State plays (almost) every year is in Evanston. No matter how much more talented the Buckeyes are, they seem to struggle in the Wildcats' high-school-sized gym.

Northwestern does not turn the ball over much, meaning Ohio State will have to grind out most of its offense in a halfcourt game. Amir Williams will probably struggle with Alex Olah, a seven-footer who can stretch the floor. As much as they struggle at Northwestern, the Buckeyes usually comes away with a win.

14. Penn State (12-6, 0-5)

Last Week: 76-73 loss at Indiana, 84-77 OT loss vs Purdue
This Week: at Michigan State, vs Rutgers

Poor D.J. Newbill. He does not get much help.

If there's any solace to be found in Penn State's poor start to the Big Ten season, it's in their competitive losses. They gave Indiana a scare in Bloomington and took Purdue to overtime last week.

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