2. Purdue Boilermakers
Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: (7-1)
Last Week: W vs. NC State (71-61), W vs. #23 Ole Miss (80-78)
Next Week: at Penn State (Dec 5. – 5:30 p.m.), vs. Maryland (Dec. 8 – Noon),
Quality wins: vs. #2 Alabama, vs. #23 Ole Miss
Bad losses: N/A
Myles Colvin put back with .5 seconds remaining giving Purdue a much-needed win over No. 23 Ole Miss. It took a strong shooting performance from the Boilermakers to get past the Rebels, as Purdue went 26-for-48 from the field and 10-for-22 from three. Purdue has two sneaky scary matchups coming up against two one-loss teams: Penn State and Maryland.
3. Oregon Ducks
Last week’s ranking: 7 (+4)
Record: (8-0)
Last Week: W vs. #20 Texas A&M (80-70), W vs. San Diego State (78-68), W vs. #9 Alabama (83-81)
Next Week: at USC (Dec. 4 – 10:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. #9 Alabama, vs. #20 Texas A&M, vs. San Diego State
Bad losses: N/A
What a week it was for the Oregon Ducks. Many people were not taking the Ducks seriously after a 5-0 start, but they have turned heads after taking down No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 9 Alabama during Feast Week. Senior center Nate Bittle had 19 points against the Crimson Tide, including a game-winning put back dunk with 4.4 seconds remaining. Keeshawn Barthelemy had the performance of a lifetime, as the senior posted 22 points off the bench. There is still room for the Ducks to improve, as sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad has been quiet, averaging under 10 points per game. However, this is celebration time for the Dunks, who now find themselves at No. 12 in the AP Rankings.
4. Michigan State Spartans
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-)
Record: (6-2)
Last Week: L vs. Memphis (63-71), W vs. # 12 UNC (94-91 OT)
Next Week: at Minnesota (Dec. 4 – 8:30 p.m.), vs. Nebraska (Dec. 7 – 12 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. #12 UNC
Bad losses: N/A
Michigan State ran into a red-hot Memphis team coming off a win over No. 2 UConn. After tying the game early in the second half, Memphis went on a 10-2 run. Tom Izzo’s group responded well the next night, overcoming No. 12 UNC in an OT thriller. Tre Holloman had 16 first half points for the Spartans, allowing them to jump out to a nine-point lead at halftime. In OT, the Spartans were in control from the tip, scoring the first four points, and they did not relent upon that lead. They had shown signs of life against No. 1 Kansas and Memphis. This win confirms they can beat high-caliber opponents.
5. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last week’s ranking: 6 (+1)
Record: (6-1)
Last Week: W vs. #19 Arkansas (90-77)
Next Week: at Northwestern (Dec. 6 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. #19 Arkansas
Bad losses: N/A
We are still early in the season, and Illinois is showing that they can compete despite a roster overhaul last offseason. That is partially in thanks to two of their underclassmen, freshmen guard Kasparas Jakucionis and sophomore center Tomislav Ivisic. Jakucionis had 23 points in Illinois’ win over No. 19 Arkansas. The Illini were truly dominant, taking a commanding 15 point lead into halftime. Do not be surprised if Illinois takes down No. 11 Wisconsin or No. 3 Tennessee in the near future.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-1)
Record: (5-2)
Last Week: L vs. Pittsburgh (90-91)
Next Week: at Maryland (Dec. 4 – 6:30 p.m.), vs. Rutgers (Dec. 7 – Noon)
Quality wins: at #19 Texas
Bad losses: N/A
I know what you are thinking… “Evan, how could you possibly put a two loss Buckeyes team this high after losing to unranked Pittsburgh?” The Buckeyes fought tooth and nail against one of the best statistical offenses in the nation. The Buckeyes carried a five point lead into the last 90 seconds of regulation, but Pittsburgh made a couple of clutch shots. They had a two point lead with five seconds remaining, before Zach Austin hit the three-point dagger for Pittsburgh with two seconds left. I absolutely love what first year head coach Jake Diebler has done with the program. He has surrounded returning junior Bruce Thornton (16.4 ppg) with a lot of transfers, and they have built up team chemistry quickly. This loss will not define the Buckeyes.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+1)
Record: (6-1)
Last Week: W vs. South Dakota (96-79), W vs. North Florida (103-72)
Next Week: at Michigan State (Dec. 7 – Noon)
Quality wins: at #14 Creighton
Bad losses: N/A
I am still disappointed that Nebraska played South Dakota and North Florida during Feast Week. With that being said, there is nothing to fault them for this week. We should find out if their win on the road over No. 14 Creighton was a fluke this week, as the Cornhuskers travel to East Lansing.
8. Indiana Hoosiers
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-6)
Record: (5-2)
Last Week: L vs. Louisville (61-89) L at #3 Gonzaga (73-89)
Next week: vs. Sam Houston (Dec. 3 – 7:30 p.m.), vs. Miami-OH (Dec. 6 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
It is not the fact that Indiana lost to Louisville that qualifies this as a bad loss. It is because they lost by 28 points. The Hoosiers simply could not keep up with the shooting of Louisville, who shot 57% from the field. The Hoosiers? Just 33%. What did they follow that game up with? An absolute stinker against No. 3 Gonzaga. I am not feeling great about having the Hoosiers at No. 2 in last week’s power rankings.
9. Maryland Terrapins
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-)
Record: (7-1)
Last Week: W vs. Bucknell (91-67), W vs. Alcorn State (96-58)
Next Week: vs. Ohio State (Dec. 4 – 6:30 p.m.), at #8 Purdue (Dec. 8 – 12 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
The Terrapins have scheduled a painfully easy start to the season (except for the game at Marquette). It is hard to know how good this team is when they have only played one other team that has some semblance of a decent organization. They are an exciting team. Derik Queen has been terrific beginning his college career, posting 16.5 points per game and eight rebounds per game. They have four players averaging over 12.5 points per game. Now we can actually find out how they play against real competition as conference play begins this week.
10. Michigan Wolverines
Last week’s ranking: 14 (+4)
Record: (6-1)
Last Week: W at #22 Xavier (78-53)
Next Week: at #11 Wisconsin (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.), vs. Iowa (Dec. 7 – 2 p.m.)
Quality wins: at #22 Xavier
Bad losses: N/A
There are a lot of very good teams in the Big 10, because this feels way too low for Michigan. The Wolverines dominated No. 22 Xavier, the only ranked opponent they have played this season. The scoring has come from all over the floor. Michigan has eight players scoring over six points per game, and their leading scorer, Tre Donaldson, is averaging only 13 points per game. They have not lost since November 10th, when they played Wake Forest on the road. We shall see if they can continue their winning streak, facing No. 11 Wisconsin in Madison.
11. UCLA Bruins
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-)
Record: (6-1)
Last Week: W vs. Southern Utah (88-43)
Next Week: vs. Washington (Dec. 3 – 10:30 p.m.), at #12 Oregon (Dec. 8 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
A win over Southern Utah is not going to move UCLA up in the rankings. Wins over Washington and No. 12 Oregon… that would be a different story. UCLA has not played a decent opponent since losing to New Mexico on Nov. 8. Let’s see how they fare in conference play.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-)
Record: (7-1)
Last Week: L at Clemson (67-75), W vs. Buffalo (87-64)
Next Week: vs. #8 Purdue (Dec. 5 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Penn State’s game against Clemson was an opportunity to establish themselves in the Big 10. They did not. Clemson separated themselves over the final ten minutes of the ballgame. However, Penn State still has some positive signs from the first month of the season. Ace Baldwin Jr. and Yanic Konan Niederhauser have combined for over 29 points per game. While the Nittany Lions knew they had a weapon in Baldwin Jr., Niederhauser, a transfer from Northern Illinois, is a weapon that gives Penn State playoff aspirations.
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-3)
Record: (5-3)
Last Week: W at Notre Dame (85-84 OT), L at #9 Alabama (90-95), L at #20 Texas A&M (77-81)
Next week: at Ohio State (Dec. 7 – Noon)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: at Kennesaw State
I had no idea what to do with Rutgers here. On the one hand, they have lost three of their last four games. On the other, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey have shown that they can hang around with the big boys of the college basketball world. Harper is averaging an absurd 23.8 points per game. That is the highest mark of any player in the Big 10, and is 4th in the NCAA. Still, though, you have to win games to be moved up in these power rankings. They have lost two in a row, and have therefore been moved down.
14. Iowa Hawkeyes
Last week’s ranking: 13 (-1)
Record: (6-1)
Last Week: W vs. SC Upstate (110-77)
Next Week: vs. Northwestern (Dec. 3 – 7 p.m.), at Michigan (Dec. 7 – 2 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Iowa put up video game numbers against SC Upstate, which was to be expected. The Next two weeks are tough for Iowa, as they play Northwestern, Michigan, and No. 6 Iowa State. We should soon find out what this team is made of.
15. Washington Huskies
Last week’s ranking: 17 (+2)
Record: (6-1)
Last Week: W vs. Colorado State (73-67), W vs. Santa Clara (76-69)
Next Week: at UCLA (Dec. 3 – 10:30 p.m.), vs. USC (Dec. 7 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
These were two rather unimpressive wins during Thanksgiving week, but Great Osabor played well, scoring a combined 35 points across the two contests. Tyler Harris has also been a nice addition for the Huskies. The sophomore transferred from Portland, and is averaging just over 14 points per game. There are definitely some pieces to work with on this roster. I may sound like a broken record, but now we will see what they are truly made of during conference play.
16. Northwestern Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 15 (-1)
Record: (6-2)
Last Week: L vs. Butler (69-71), W at UNLV (66-61)
Next Week: at Iowa (Dec. 3 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: N/A
Northwestern’s loss to Butler was a hard-fought battle, and they came back from down 15 in the first half. Moreover, they had a solid road showing against UNLV, as Brooks Barnhizer dazzled, scoring 23 points and snatching nine rebounds. I’ve reached the same verdict as many of the teams above: wait and see.
17. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last week’s ranking: 18 (+1)
Record: (6-3)
Last Week: L at Wichita State (66-68 OT), L at Wake Forest (51-57), W vs. Bethune-Cookman (79-62)
Next Week: vs. Michigan State (Dec. 4 – 8:30 p.m.), at Indiana (Dec. 9 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: vs. North Texas
This team simply lacks firepower beyond Dawson Garcia. They were not projected to win either game against Wichita State or Wake Forest, and it shows why. Their just is not much on their roster to be excited about. Luckily, USC was abysmal this week, so Minnesota gets to move up.
18. USC Trojans
Last week’s ranking: 16 (-2)
Record: (5-3)
Last Week: L at Saint Mary’s (36-71), L at New Mexico (73-83)
Next Week: vs. #12 Oregon (Dec. 4 – 10:30 p.m.), at Washington (Dec. 7 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: N/A
Bad losses: vs. California (66-71)
I would like to assure all readers that your eyes are indeed working. There was no typo. USC scored 36 points in a game against Saint Mary’s. They were 13-for-50 from the field and 0-for-12 from behind the arc. That is embarrassing. End of story.
