Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Wisconsin and Nebraska make gains after start to league play

By Austin Walther

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates the 59-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shouts instructions to his team in the first half the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shouts instructions to his team in the first half the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

10. Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-2)

Previous rank: 9

Richard Pitino decided not to enter a Tournament this year. He did take Minnesota to Vancouver for a round-robin type format. They led off with a win over Texas A&M. The Aggies aren’t anywhere near as good as they were last year, but it’s still a power-conference victory. They took care of Santa Clara and then picked up another quality win against Washington. The Huskies are Tournament worthy, but may not show it right now.

The Gophers got matched up against Boston College in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. I viewed it as a game between two teams who could be dark horses on the bubble. Minnesota was riding high after coming back from Vancouver and then fell to the Eagles. The Gophers went back home, beat Oklahoma State and then got beat by Ohio State on the road.

It’s been so up and down early on for Minnesota. Kind of like how last season went. Except way less expectations. Everyone has stayed healthy for the most part. Eric Curry hasn’t returned yet though. They missed him in their losses over the Eagles and Buckeyes.

Jordan Murphy is continuing to be a beast. He’s averaging a double-double with 14.6 points per game and 12 boards. Amir Coffey has been trusted as the point guard so far this season with Isaiah Washington coming off the bench. Coffey’s assist numbers has been going down while Washington is on the rise.

It’s hard to find room for Washington in the lineup because Gabe Kalscheur is a great three-point shooter while Dupree McBrayer and Coffey are seniors. They have a great core and a solid bench, but need more shooters. Minnesota has Nebraska coming up next with simple non-conference slate to ride back into Big Ten play.

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