Big Ten Basketball: Power ranking the conference (Nov. 26-Dec. 3)

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Nike co-founder Phil Knight presents head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan State Spartans the trophy for the 'Victory Bracket' Championship after the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. Michigan State won the game 63-45. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

8 of 15

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Ohio State Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Holtmann speaks at the 2017 Big Ten Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden on October 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The Ohio State Buckeyes may be a little better than what critics believed they would be entering the season. At 7-3, the Buckeyes are trending up so far this season. The Buckeyes definitely still have some work to do though, especially after this week.

The Buckeyes finished this week going 2-2 with some pretty brutal losses. Against a good Butler team, the Buckeyes suffered a heartbreaking loss, falling 67-66 despite dominated the game for the first 35 minutes. They then faced the Clemson Tigers in Columbus. The Buckeyes didn’t play well in this game and dropped the 79-65 decision.

To close out the week, the Buckeyes began Big Ten play. They are already 2-0 thanks to completely dominating the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison and making a big second-half comeback to defeat Michigan.

Coming off of an injury last season, forward Keita Bates-Diop is having a breakout year thus far, holding averages of 17.3 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. He is followed by Jae’Sean Tate (13.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg). The Buckeyes also have two other key players in C.J. Jackson (12.8 ppg) and Kaleb Wesson (12.1 ppg).

Schedule for this week:

William & Mary (5-2) at Ohio State on Dec. 9

Home/Big Ten