Busting Brackets
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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) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes heads up court after taking the ball away from Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half on January 23, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes heads up court after taking the ball away from Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half on January 23, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

8. Ohio State Buckeyes (13-6)

Previous rank: 10

Ohio State finally got its first Big Ten win since December. The Buckeyes were 12-1 at one point and ranked as high as 13th in the country. They lost five in a row and fell out of the top-25. It’s tough to win in the Big Ten this season. But Ohio State couldn’t pick up any wins since the early first two. The Buckeyes then ran into a cold Nebraska team and picked up a big time road win. Anytime you win away from home in conference play is huge.

The Cornhuskers aren’t what they were a month ago. But they still have a quality resume and the Buckeyes needed that win on their own resume. That’s four top-50 wins for Ohio State now. Their worst loss has been Rutgers and the Scarlet Knights are tough on the road lately. The Buckeyes are still sitting inside the top-40 among average of ratings.

C.J. Jackson seems to have turned a corner as Ohio State’s point guard. His assist numbers are getting close to four per game. Jackson has been in single-digits just one since the beginning of December. It has to be more than just Jackson and Kaleb Wesson. At times it’s good balance for Ohio State and others it’s that no one else can hit. Older brother Andre Wesson went off against Purdue and then it was Luther Muhammed in the win over Nebraska.

There was so much turnover from last year’s talented team. That’s including Big Ten Player of the Year Keita Bates-Diop. So the struggles isn’t anything to worry about too much. They did have an incredible non-conference season, but the Big Ten is a lot different this season. But the young guys are helping out quite a bit and helping them remain a Tournament team.

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