Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Michigan, Michigan State both lose

By Austin Walther

MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Kobe King #23 and Tai Strickland #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate after beating the Michigan Wolverines 64-54 at the Kohl Center on January 19, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Kobe King #23 and Tai Strickland #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate after beating the Michigan Wolverines 64-54 at the Kohl Center on January 19, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 15
Next
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 03: Head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts during the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines 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 Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts during the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on January 03, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 68-55. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

14. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-13)

Previous rank: 13

There’s a new team in the basement thanks to Illinois winning two out of their last four and Penn State still sitting without a loss. Pat Chambers is in his eighth season and he has yet to lead Penn State to an NCAA Tournament. Last year was just his first 20 win season. This year could be the worst Chambers has had and his seat is very warm.

It’s been really rough for the Nittany Lions this season. Penn State failed to score at least 60 in the first two conference games since resuming Big Ten play. They have a total of four Big Ten games of failing to score 60. They did bust out for 82 against Iowa, but the Hawkeyes offense dropped almost 90 on them.

89 points was the most Penn State has allowed at all this season. The next highest point total form a Big Ten opponent was 71 against Michigan State and Wisconsin. There’s no question about their defense. They are allowing just 68 per game. The big three, Lamar Stevens, Josh Reaves and Mike Watkins are excellent defenders. Reaves has 52 steals and Watkins has 23 blocks in just 15 games.

Those three are great scorers as well. If Penn State were more competitive, Stevens would be pushing his way into conversation for first team All-Big Ten. The junior is averaging 18.7 points, almost eight boards and two assists per game. Myles Dread and Rasir Bolton are great promising freshmen, but there’s literally no one after those four scoring more than 3.6 points pre game. This is certainly a season to forget and they only lose one senior along with maybe their coach.

Home/Big Ten