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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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 18: Miles Bridges /

Who would have thought the mighty Michigan State Spartans could be taken down from the top spot in the power rankings. Regardless, the 4th-ranked Spartans fall a spot in this week’s rankings after losing their first game since the start of the season,

The Spartans did pick up a win at the beginning of the week at home against Maryland by a decisive 91-61 mark. Four players scored in double figures for the Spartans, as they held the Terrapins to just 37.7% shooting while shooting 57% from the field themselves. This was total domination by Tom Izzo’s team from start to finish.

Sunday, however, was a different story. The Spartans struggle to muster up anything offensively, and eventually fell 80-64 in Columbus to the Buckeyes. This loss kind of brought the Spartans back down to earth, as they were putting up surreal number statistically.

But, despite the loss to Ohio State, the Spartans will be just fine. They are still without a doubt one of the favorites to win the NCAA tournament this year, as they are stout on both sides of the ball. They still lead the conference in scoring offense (86.5 ppg) and are third in scoring defense (62.5 ppg).

With guys like Miles Bridges (16.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg), Nick Ward (14.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Joshua Langford (13.9 ppg), Cassius Winston (12.8 ppg, 7.1 apg), and Jaren Jackson Jr. (10.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg), the Spartans should still be considered the favorite to win the conference despite their slight fall in the rankings.

Schedule for this week:

Rutgers (11-6, 1-3) at Michigan State on Jan. 10

Michigan State at Michigan (14-3, 3-1) on Jan. 13

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