2024-25 Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Week 7

2. UCLA Bruins

Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)

Record: (9-1)

Last Week: W vs. Arizona (57-54)

Next Week: vs. Prairie View (Dec. 17 – 9:30 p.m.), at North Carolina (Dec. 21 – 3 p.m.)

Quality wins: at #12 Oregon

Bad losses: N/A

Despite the fact that Arizona is now 4-5, a win over the Wildcats was considered an upset for #18 UCLA. Neither side shot well in this matchup, and UCLA was an ugly 4-for-21 on three pointers. However, Arizona was even worse, converting on just 2-of-16 three pointers. This was not the prettiest win for the Bruins, which is partially why they did not leapfrog the Spartans, but it counts all the same.

3. Oregon Ducks

Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)

Last Week: W vs. SF Austin (79-61)

Next Week: at Stanford (Dec. 21 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. #9 Alabama, vs. #20 Texas A&M, vs. San Diego State

Bad losses: N/A

The Ducks had a routine win over SF Austin, but Jackson Shelstad had just 1 point. If Shelstad can play like he did last season, this Ducks team will not just be one of the best in the Big 10 (which they already are), but one of the best in the nation. Their game against Stanford this week is a lot more interesting. Nate Bittle has been a great center for Oregon this season, but he faces his toughest matchup of the year going up against Maxime Raynaud, who is averaging 22.1 points (8th in NCAA) and 11.3 rebounds (5th in NCAA) per game. I am putting the Ducks on upset alert in this matchup.

4. Michigan Wolverines

Last week’s ranking: 5 (+1)

Record: (8-2)

Last Week: L vs. Arkansas (87-89)

Next Week: vs. #14 Oklahoma (Dec. 18 – 9 p.m.), vs. PFW (Dec. 22 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: at #22 Xavier, at #11 Wisconsin

Bad losses: N/A

The Wolverines gave up a 15-point second half lead to the Razorbacks. I remain confident in this group as Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin have wreaked havoc, capitalizing on mismatches against various opponents. Still, they get moved up as a result of Purdue’s loss. Michigan has a chance to hand #14 Oklahoma their first loss of the season this week.

5. Illinois Fighting Illini

Last week’s ranking: 6 (+1)

Record: (7-3)

Last Week: W vs. #20 Wisconsin (86-80), L vs. #1 Tennessee (64-66)

Next Week: at Missouri (Dec. 22 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. #20 Wisconsin, vs. #19 Arkansas

Bad losses: N/A

Yes, Illinois lost a game last week, and yes, they are moving up a spot. Let’s start with their win over #20 Wisconsin. They dominated against Wisconsin’s two seven footers Nolan Winter and Steven Crowl, outrebounding the Badgers 38-27. 15 of those 38 rebounds came on the offensive boards. They then lost to the top ranked team in the country by just two points, as Jordan Gainey scored on a driving layup as time expired. If Illinois is as good as I think they are, they should take care of business on the road against a 9-1 Missouri team that beat #1 Kansas back on December 8th.

6. Purdue Boilermakers

Last week’s ranking: 4 (-2)

Record: (8-3)

Last Week: L vs. Texas A&M (66-70)

Next Week: at #2 Auburn

Quality wins: vs. #2 Alabama, at #23 Ole Miss,

Bad losses: at Penn State

Purdue continued to struggle down low this week. Week after week, their lack of a big man is causing problems for the Boilermakers. Texas A&M outrebounded Purdue 29-19 and had 11 offensive rebounds. Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, their two top guards, have been good but not exceptional, and Purdue needs exceptional guard play to overcome their lack of size. Purdue does not seem like a sustainable contender this season.

7. Maryland Terrapins

Last week’s ranking: 7 (-)

Record: (8-2)

Last Week: N/A

Next Week: vs. St. Fran.-Pa. (Dec. 17 – 8:30 p.m.), at Syracuse (Dec. 21 – Noon)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: N/A

Maryland did not play this past week. They are coming off a five-point loss to Maryland. However, there were a lot of positive takeaways for Maryland. Derik Queen scored 26 points and snatched 12 rebounds, as he has continued to be one of the best freshmen in the country. The team was an efficient 11-for-26 on their three pointers. This Maryland team is fearless and can hang with anyone in the Big 10.

8. Wisconsin Badgers

Last week’s ranking: 8 (-)

Record: (9-3)

Last Week: L at Illinois (80-86), W at Butler (83-74)

Next week: vs. Detroit (Dec. 22 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. #9 Arizona, vs. Pittsburgh

Bad losses: N/A

Wisconsin recovered with a much-needed win over Butler after losing three straight games. Steven Crowl had his best performance of the season, scoring 18 points. Fellow big man Nolan Winter had a career-high 20 points, and every member of the starting five was in double digits. Wisconsin has an easy game against Detroit before taking two weeks off for the holidays.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions

Last week’s ranking: 9 (-)

Record: (9-2)

Last Week: L at Rutgers (76-80), W vs. Coppin State (99-51)

Next Week: at Drexel (Dec. 21 – 12 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. #8 Purdue

Bad losses: N/A

Penn State has made this ranking difficult. On the one hand, they took down #8 Purdue. On the other, they lost to 4-loss Rutgers. Rutgers’ freshmen, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, combined for 39 points to outlast Penn State. The score was closer than the game however, as Rutgers led by 15 at half before a late run got Penn State within striking distance. Ace Baldwin Jr. had a solid 17-point performance versus Purdue but scored just 8 against Rutgers. They can beat good teams and lose to bad teams.

10. Iowa Hawkeyes

Last week’s ranking: 11 (+1)

Record: (8-3)

Last Week: L vs. #3 Iowa State (80-89), W vs. New Orleans (104-57)

Next Week: vs. Utah (Dec. 21 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: vs. Louisville

Iowa took a seven-point lead into halftime against the third ranked team in the country. They had six players who scored double digit points in that game (including all five starters). If they did not let Iowa State get 17 offensive rebounds, they probably would have pulled off the upset. And then they scored 104 points their next game, which is always a good sign. They have not been able to pull out wins in their biggest games (lost 83-85 at Michigan), but they have shown the ability to compete. There is a high ceiling for this squad.

11. Northwestern Wildcats

Last week’s ranking: 10 (+1)

Record: (8-3)

Last Week: W vs. Georgia Tech (71-60)

Next Week: vs. DePaul (Dec. 21 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. #19 Illinois

Bad losses: N/A

Northwestern has played well in back-to-back games, beginning with a strong win against #19 Illinois. Nick Martinelli had 27 points in that contest to go along with 17 points from Brooks Barnhizer as the Wildcats pulled off the upset in overtime. Martinelli and Barnhizer then combined for another 36 points against Georgia Tech. The one concern for Northwestern… they only play seven men per game (consistently), and the lack of depth can become an issue late in ballgames. Nick Martinelli, for example, has played at least 37 minutes in each of the last four games.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last week’s ranking: 15 (+3)

Record: (7-2)

Last Week: W vs. Indiana (85-68)

Next Week: at Murray State (Dec. 22 – 9 p.m.)

Quality wins: vs. at #14 Creighton, vs. Indiana

Bad losses: N/A

After getting blown out by Michigan State, Nebraska came back with a dominant win over Indiana. Brice Williams had a season-high 30 points. Nebraska played great defense, as Indiana went just 23-for-65 (35%) from the field. I would not say I am confident that Nebraska can sustainably play this level of basketball, as Williams simply went off for a night, but you never know.

13. Indiana Hoosiers

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-)

Record: (8-3)

Last Week: L at Nebraska (68-85)

Next week: vs. Chattanooga (Dec. 21 – 12 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: vs. Louisville, at Nebraska

Nebraska is not a team that should outscore Indiana by 14 points in a half. Indiana was clearly a more physically talented team. They won the rebounding battle, but they could not capitalize on second chance opportunities. When that happens, you have to look to head coach Mike Woodson for answers.

14. Ohio State Buckeyes

Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)

Record: (6-4)

Last Week: L vs. #2 Auburn (53-91)

Next Week: vs. Valparaiso (Dec. 17 – 8 p.m.), at #4 Kentucky (Dec. 21 – 5:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: at Maryland

Yes, Auburn is a good basketball team, but that is no excuse for Ohio State to lose by 38 points. The Buckeyes were outclassed in every facet of the game. This game had a similar feel to their game against Maryland, when they scored just 17 points in the first half (they had 21 against Auburn). The team has talent. Bruce Thornton is averaging 15 points per game. They beat #19 Texas on the road to begin the season. They battled a strong Pittsburgh team to overtime. But they have been dismantled by Maryland and Auburn. Something must change, especially with #4 Kentucky on deck this week.

15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-2)

Record: (7-4)

Last Week: W vs. Penn State (80-76), W vs. Seton Hall (66-63)

Next Week: vs. Princeton (Dec. 21 – 12 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: at Kennesaw State

Rutgers picked up two crucial back-to-back wins over Penn State and Seton Hall. Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey combined for 45 of their 66 points against Seton Hall, and about half of their points (39 of 80) against Penn State. While it is great (and fun) to see both freshmen playing at such a high level, their inexperience has shown early this season, and it has been difficult for Rutgers to win if they are not playing at their very best.

16. USC Trojans

Last week’s ranking: 16 (-)

Record: (7-4)

Last Week: W vs. Montana State (89-63)

Next Week: vs. CS Northridge (Dec. 18 – 10 p.m.), vs. Southern University (Dec. 22 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: at Saint Mary’s

USC dominated Montana State, a team that has made the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons. Desmond Claude led the way with 19 points to go along with six assists. This week should be a walk in the park for the Trojans before conference play resumes in the new year.

17. Washington Huskies

Last week’s ranking: 17 (-)

Record: (7-3)

Last Week: W vs. Eastern Washington (87-69)

Next Week: vs. Washington State (Dec. 18 – 11 p.m.), vs. Seattle (Dec. 23 – 10 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: vs. USC

Washington looked good against an opponent they should look good against. Washington State (9-2) will be a much more difficult test.

18. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last week’s ranking: 18 (-)

Record: (6-5)

Last Week: N/A

Next Week: vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (Dec. 21 – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: N/A

Bad losses: vs. North Texas

Folks, join me in welcoming back Minnesota to the cellar. Does it give me joy as a Badger to put the Gophers at the #18 spot? Absolutely. Am I still a little bit salty about them taking the axe on our home turf? Most definitely. Are they the worst team in the Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings? Without a question.