Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Week 9 power rankings

By Blaine Lewallen

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 4: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 23: C.J. Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 23: C.J. Jackson /

Without a doubt, Ohio State made the biggest leap last week. The Buckeyes were able to reel off two quality victories, and are one of the hottest teams in the nation at the moment.

To begin the week, the Buckeyes handily defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes on the road, 92-81. Keita Bates-Diop scored a game-high 27 points while also snagging 13 rebounds. Although this was a solid win, this definitely wasn’t the highlight of Ohio State’s week.

On Sunday, the Buckeyes returned home to take on the No. 1 ranked Michigan State Spartans. The Buckeyes used a spectacular end to the first half and start of the second half to come away with the 80-64 win, bumping MSU out of the number 1 rank.

Bates-Diop, again, led the Buckeyes to this win with a career-high 32 points. Three other Buckeyes scored in double figures. The defense, however, was the biggest story, as the Spartans shot just 39% from the field (28% from three) in the game. This is very impressive, as the Spartans lead the Big Ten in scoring offense, generally scoring 86.5 points per game.

Bates-Diop (20.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg) continues his stellar play and is probably the main reason why the Buckeyes are much better than advertised. Bates-Diop leads the conference in scoring and is third in rebounding. Guys like C.J. Jackson (13.5 ppg), Jae’Sean Tate (12.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg),  and Kaleb Wesson (11.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg) make the Buckeyes a force to reckon with in the conference. They have really solidified the number three spot in the league after their solid play early on.

Schedule for this week:

Maryland (14-4, 3-2) at Ohio State on Jan. 11

Ohio State at Rutgers (11-6, 1-3) on Jan. 14

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