Busting Brackets
Fansided

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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AMES, IA – DECEMBER 7: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes coaches from the bench in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on December 7, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 84-78 over the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – DECEMBER 7: Head coach Fran McCaffery of the Iowa Hawkeyes coaches from the bench in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on December 7, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 84-78 over the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

As previously mentioned, the Hawkeyes have fallen to 0-5 in the conference after their two losses this past week. Fran McCaffery’s team continues to struggle and just can’t find that toughness and leadership brought forth by Peter Jok on last year’s team.

Last week, Iowa began the week falling at home to Ohio State, 92-81. Four players in double figures was not enough for the Hawkeyes, as they could not seem to slow down the Buckeyes offensive attack. They allowed OSU to shoot 53% from the field in the loss. Tyler Cook led the Hawkeyes with a 21 point, 9 rebound performance.

After this less than ideal performance, the Hawkeyes traveled to Maryland to take on the Terrapins. This game was eerily similar to the Ohio State game, as Iowa allowed Maryland to shoot  56.7% from the field in the 91-73 loss.

They just can’t seem to guard anyone. In fact, they are last in the Big Ten in scoring defense, giving up 75.0 points per game. They have given up 82.4 points per game in conference play, also last in the league. The Hawkeyes have some things to figure out on the defensive end.

Offensively, Iowa is much better than they are on the opposite side of the ball. They rank fourth in scoring offense (80.7 ppg). But, that number has gone down a little since conference play has resumed.

Outside of Cook (15.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg), other guys have continued to struggle to step up. Jordan Bohannon (11.8 ppg, 5.0 apg), Isaiah Moss (11.4 ppg), and Luka Garza (10.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg) are a few other guys who average double figures in scoring. But, they can’t find the consistency to lead the Hawkeyes to victory, especially on the defensive end. Expect this team to start to turn things around soon, however, as they should not be viewed as a pushover despite their disappointing start.

Schedule for this week:

Iowa at Illinois (10-7, 0-4) on Jan. 11

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