Evan Epstein gives his Big Ten basketball power rankings heading into week 4 of the 2024-25 season.
Three weeks are in the books, and there have been a lot of surprises early on this season. Wisconsin has emerged as one of the best teams in the Big 10, starting the season 7-0. Just four teams remain undefeated, and all other teams have just one loss. How do you separate teams with such similar resumes? It was difficult, but I gave it my best shot:
All games are in EST.
Matchup of the week: Rutgers at No. 9 Alabama (Nov. 27 – 10 p.m)
Sneaky good matchup of the week: Michigan State vs. Memphis (Nov. 26 – 6 p.m)
1. Wisconsin Badgers
Last week’s ranking: 2 (+1)
Record: (7-0)
Last Week: W at UCF (86-70), W vs. Pittsburgh (81-75)
Next Week: vs. Chicago State (Nov. 30 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. No. 9 Arizona, at UCF, vs. Pittsburgh
Bad losses: N/A
Wisconsin has passed every test with flying colors early on this season. The Badgers won the Greenbriar Tip Off, facing off against undefeated opponents UCF and Pittsburgh. While they were in cruise control most of the game against UCF, Pittsburgh got out to an early 14 point lead against Wisconsin. It took a 25 point second half from John Tonje to fuel the Badgers comeback over the Panthers. Wisconsin may have been overlooked coming into the season, but no more… they clock in at No. 15 in the AP Rankings.
2. Indiana Hoosiers
Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: (4-0)
Last Week: W vs. UNCG (69-58)
Next Week: vs. Louisville (Nov. 27 – Noon)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
The Indiana Hoosiers are currently the beneficiaries of a cake-walk schedule through four games. Nonetheless, they have looked solid in the early going. Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo is settling in nicely with the Hoosiers, averaging close to a double double (12 PPG and 9.8 RPG). Indiana’s best win is currently against South Carolina. However, they will face a much tougher slate in the Battle 4 Atlantis, with the potential to play No. 3 Gonzaga in the second round of the tournament.
3. Purdue Boilermakers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-2)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: L at No. 15 Marquette (58-76), W vs. Marshall (80-45)
Next Week: at NC State (Nov. 28 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. No. 2 Alabama
Bad losses: N/A
Purdue did not just lose to Marquette. They were outplayed in every facet of the game. Purdue was held to just 20-for-50 (40%) from the field. They were outrebounded, which may come as a surprise until you realize that 7-4 center Daniel Jacobsen is out for the season with a leg injury. Yes, Purdue is still a solid basketball team, with returning players Braden Smith (12.2 PPG), Trey Kauffman-Renn (17.7 PPG), and Fletcher Loyer (14.5 PPG) all providing solid production. However, there is a significant drop off after that. Purdue will need some of their role players to step up if they want to be serious contenders in March.
4. Michigan State Spartans
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+4)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Samford (83-75), W vs. Colorado (72-56)
Next Week: vs. Memphis (Nov. 26 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Colorado
Bad losses: N/A
The Spartans impressed in round one of the Maui Invitational, not just defeating, but dismantling Colorado. What is so impressive about Izzo’s squad is how many pieces contribute on a nightly basis. Eight players had six or more points for the Spartans in their win over the Buffaloes. Earlier this year, they played No. 1 Kansas tough at home, with Kansas squeaking out an eight point win late in the game. Michigan State is set to play an undefeated Memphis team that just upset UConn in OT. If Michigan State wins this game, they will put themselves on the map this season.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Evansville (80-30), W vs. Campbell (104-60), W vs. Green Bay (102-69)
Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh (Nov. 29 – 2:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: at No. 19 Texas
Bad losses: N/A
The Buckeyes won there past three matchups this week by a combined 127 points. Does that say something about Ohio State or their quality of opponent? Yes. They have made 27 three pointers over their past two games. Their loss to No. 23 Texas A&M sent them tumbling out of the rankings, but a win over Pittsburgh on Friday could put a number in front of their name.
6. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-2)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: L at No. 8 Alabama (87-100), W vs. Md.-E. Shore (87-40), W vs. Little Rock (92-34)
Next Week: vs. No. 19 Arkansas (Nov. 28 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
It is hard to fault Illinois for a road loss in Tuscaloosa. Then again, they allowed the Crimson Tide to score 100 points on 39-for-75 shooting from the field. Alabama was able to get good looks inside, overpowering Illinois. They will get their second crack at a ranked opponent this season when they take on No. 19 Arkansas on Thanksgiving.
7. Oregon Ducks
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)
Record: (5-0)
Last Week: W at Oregon State (78-75)
Next Week: at No. 20 Texas A&M (Nov. 26 – 4:30 p.m.), at San Diego State (Nov. 27 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
The Oregon Ducks are now one of just four undefeated teams remaining in the Big 10. In their first road contest of the year, senior center Nate Bittle put up 23 points and 14 rebounds. Jackson Shelstad emerged with a season high 15 points as the Ducks took down Oregon State by three points. Shelstad has been surprisingly quiet this season, averaging just 8.8 points per game as a sophomore, which is down four points from his freshmen year. The Ducks are going to need Shelstad to step up with two difficult matchups coming in Las Vegas.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last week’s ranking: 14 (+6)
Record: (4-1)
Last Week: W at No. 14 Creighton (74-63)
Next Week: vs. South Dakota (Nov. 27 – 6:30 p.m.), vs. North Florida (Dec. 1 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: at No. 14 Creighton
Bad losses: N/A
Defense was the reason for Nebraska’s huge road upset. They forced Creighton into a miserable 17-for-52 shooting performance from the field. Nebraska forced Creighton into taking contested threes, as 42 of Creighton’s 52 shots came from three point land. Nebraska did not have to do anything special offensively. The Cornhuskers got a nice boost from Wisconsin transfer Conner Essegian, who provided 15 points off the bench. Is this a solid Nebraska team, or was this a fluke? We will find out in early December when Nebraska begins Big 10 conference play against Michigan State and No. 14 Indiana.
9. Maryland Terrapins
Last week’s ranking: 13 (+4)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Canisius (108-37), W at Villanova (76-75)
Next Week: vs. Bucknell (Nov. 27 – 4:30 p.m.), vs. Alcorn State (Dec. 1 – Noon)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Derik Queen knocked down two free throws with 22 seconds on the clock, and Maryland would hold on for a one point win over Villanova. Despite being a freshmen, Queen has led the Terps with 16.2 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game. Their one loss came by just four points against a Marquette team that is now ranked 10th in the country. If Queen’s play continues, and he continues to get support from junior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the Terrapins could contend in the Big Ten.
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-4)
Record: (4-1)
Last Week: W vs. Merrimack (74-63), L at Kennesaw State (77-79)
Next Week: at Notre Dame (Nov. 26 – 10:30 p.m.), at No. 9 Alabama (Nov. 27 – 10 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: at Kennesaw State
Rutgers was dominated by Kennesaw State on the glass, getting outrebounded 41-24. The Scarlet Knights committed 19 fouls, allowing Kennesaw State to attempt 24 free throws. This was an ugly loss for Rutgers, but they have a couple of chances to redeem themselves in Las Vegas. No. 9 Alabama on Wednesday will be a gauge for whether or not Rutgers and their two star freshmen, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, can stay competitive with the powerhouses of college basketball. Bailey and Harper have played well so far, both averaging over 19 points per game. However, their opponents have been sub-par to this point.
11. UCLA Bruins
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-2)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Idaho State (84-70), W vs. CS Fullerton (80-47)
Next Week: vs. So. Utah (Nov. 26 – 10 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
UCLA have been at least 20 point favorites in all five of their wins this season. A week one loss to a solid New Mexico team is not a bad loss by any stretch, but UCLA needs a win against a power five opponent to be talked about more seriously. It is disappointing to see them playing Southern Utah rather than competing in a Thanksgiving week tournament.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-1)
Record: (6-0)
Last Week: W vs. PFW (102-89), W at Fordham (85-66)
Next Week: at Clemson (Nov. 26 – 4 p.m.), vs. Buffalo (Dec. 1 – 2 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
In a shocking turn of events, Ace Baldwin Jr. (15.7 ppg) is not the leading scorer on the Nittany Lions. It’s Zach Hicks (15.8 ppg). The concern coming into the season for Penn State was that they were going to be solely reliant on Baldwin Jr., but that has not been the case. Five players are averaging ten or more points for Penn State. They have a win over a power five opponent, taking down Virginia Tech on the road 86-64. They play Clemson in the Sunshine Slam final today, and would vault up in these rankings next week with a win.
13. Iowa Hawkeyes
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-3)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Rider (83-58), L vs. Utah State (69-77)
Next Week: vs. SC Upstate (Nov. 26 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: L vs. Utah State
Iowa suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of Utah State. Payton Sandfort struggled mightily, shooting 4-for-18 from the field and 1-for-13 from three. The Aggies dominated the boards, outrebounding the Hawkeyes 45-26. This is a game that Iowa should have won.
14. Michigan Wolverines
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-2)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Tarleton State (72-49), W at Virginia Tech (75-63)
Next week: at No. 22 Xavier (Nov. 27 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
The Wolverines have faced three power five opponents, going 2-1 in those games. It’s tough to make judgement on the Wolverines to this point. We will see their true colors this week as they play in the Fort Myers Tip Off, as they take on No. 22 Xavier in the first round.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 15 (-)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Montana State (72-69), W vs. Pepperdine (68-50)
Next Week: vs. Butler (Nov. 28 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
The question coming into the season was who would replace Boo Buie. Nick Martinelli has answered that question. The junior has averaged 23.8 points per game, which is the 4th highest mark in the NCAA. Brooks Barnhizer, after coming back from injury, has supplemented 33 points over his first two games back. This team has more life than one might have thought entering the season.
16. USC Trojans
Last week’s ranking: 16 (-)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. San Jose State (82-68), W vs. Grambling State (80-69)
Next Week: at Saint Mary’s (Nov. 28 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: vs. California
The Trojans have had an easy schedule so far, and they have been mediocre at best. They won by thin margins against Idaho State (75-69) and UT Arlington (98-95). At home, a loss to Cal qualifies as a bad loss. Now, they face an undefeated Saint Mary’s team on Thanksgiving.
17. Washington Huskies
Last week’s ranking: 17 (-)
Record: (3-1)
Last Week: W vs. Alcorn State (77-60)
Next Week: vs. Colorado State (Nov. 28 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
First year head coach Danny Sprinkle brought Great Osobor with him from Utah State. While Osobor has been alright, he has been inconsistent. In the Huskies sole loss to Nevada this season, Osobor had just three points. They have failed to separate from lower quality opponents, defeating UMass Lowell by just five. Hope remains alive for the Huskies as they still sport just one loss, but improvement will be necessary as they head into Big 10 conference play.
18. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last week’s ranking: 17 (-1)
Record: (5-1)
Last Week: W vs. Cleveland State (58-47), W vs. Central Michigan (68-65)
Next Week: at Wichita State (Nov. 28 – Noon), vs. Bethune-Cook (Dec. 1 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: vs. North Texas
Dawson Garcia is so much fun to watch. The senior is averaging 22.8 points per game (9th in NCAA), has made 55 percent of his three point attempts, and has provided most of the offense for this Minnesota team. With that, I have run out of good things to say about the Golden Gophers. Besides Garcia, no other player is averaging more than 10 points per game. Defeating Central Michigan and Yale by just three points is nothing to write home about. This could be a long season for the Gophers.