Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Michigan makes big statement to start the season

By Austin Walther

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reaches for the ball to keep it in bounds during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mackey Arena on February 25, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers reaches for the ball to keep it in bounds during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mackey Arena on February 25, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Head coach Collins of Northwestern. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Head coach Collins of Northwestern. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

11. Northwestern Wildcats (3-0)

There are never going to be as high of expectations for Northwestern basketball as there was last season. So I guess this could be considered a rebuilding season for the Wildcats even though they’re being led by three seniors. One is a graduate transfer though. But the usual suspects are continuing to dominate. Vic Law is averaging 19 points per game while Dererk Pardon is at 12 points and 12.7 boards.

The three wins are barely anything. There’s nothing to show any serious competition for the Wildcats yet. That’s alright though for a team who is rebuilding with veteran players. They need some confidence and the Wildcats are getting just that. Beating up on some lower mid-majors is what this team needs right now.

Northwestern has scored over 80 twice and hasn’t allowed over 54 in all three games. Chris Collins started Jordan Ash in the first two, but transfer A.J. Turner is one of the five now. Ash was struggling and the transfer from Boston College has 11 per game. The other transfer is Ryan Taylor. He played at Ohio and Evansville. Taylor shot the lights out everywhere he was. He isn’t quite near 20, but he does have eight made three-pointers. Taylor is a good complement to Law who has seven on the young season.

It hurt not having a match up in the Gavitt. That could have strengthened the schedule just a tad. It doesn’t get much better than what it was, but these guys are playing some good basketball, regardless of who the opponent is.

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