Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Purdue, Maryland make huge leaps

By Austin Walther

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 03: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts from the bench while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions at Crisler Arena on January 03, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 68-55. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 03: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts from the bench while playing the Penn State Nittany Lions at Crisler Arena on January 03, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 68-55. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – JANUARY 09: Andre Wesson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts a shot as Myles Johnson #15 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during the first half a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 9, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – JANUARY 09: Andre Wesson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes attempts a shot as Myles Johnson #15 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during the first half a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 9, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

10. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-4)

Previous Rank: 6

Yes I know that the team listed previous beat this team, but the four extra wins that Ohio State has helps. The Buckeyes went on a very nice winning streak since losing at home to Syracuse way back during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. That included two Big Ten wins over Minnesota and Illinois. They took care of the rest of the non-conference slate including UCLA on a neutral court. But then Ohio State hasn’t been able to find their groove since resuming conference play.

First it was at home to a Michigan State team that missing Joshua Langford. Many though Ohio State was primed for the upset. Well right now the Spartans are humming and they’re as dangerous as anyone when that is happening. Then it was the blunder in New Jersey to Rutgers. Ohio State had to go back on the road and lost to Iowa.

Besides the loss to the Scarlet Knights, it’s all been forgiving losses. Ohio State has lost more in the past two weeks than they have all season. They peaked at 13th in the country around Christmas. Chris Holtmann is still doing a great job in his second year in the Big Ten. But this is a much improved conference than last year. And the Buckeyes can’t shy away from how much talent they lost last season.

Kaleb Wesson is every bit advertised. He’d easily be second team All-Big Ten right now. I watched a lot of that Michigan State game and his six-foot-nine, 270 pound frame battled with Nick Ward. C.J. Jackson shows signs of being a great point guard at times, but also turns the ball over a bit. He’s averaging almost 13 points per game and four assists. Jackson did however come off the bench against Iowa. Not sure what that was all about.

There’s plenty of guys to pass to on the team. Three through nine on the team are averaging anywhere from three points to nine points per game. It’ll be interesting to see the young Buckeyes respond and get back into the swing of things.

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