Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Indiana, Ohio State slides towards bottom

By Adam Childs

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 12: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 15
Next
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with his team during the second half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-59. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan State looks to be back on track after a rough three-game stretch, as they beat both Wisconsin and Ohio State this past week. The big blow for the Spartans was the loss of big man Nick Ward to a stress fracture in his hand. His return is unknown but he will more than likely be out this whole week, which includes a huge matchup with Michigan on Sunday.

Sunday’s matchup is the first of two in the last two weeks of the season and is what most in the Big Ten have been waiting for since both teams have been ranked in the top ten. They seem to be evenly matched, but Michigan is undefeated at home and plays like a different team there.

The big question will be how do the Spartans respond to losing another top player. They have had to play most of the year without star guard Joshua Langford and have done really well in his absence. Cassius Winston has stepped up, but can he carry more of the burden with Ward out? The Spartans have shown they can win a bunch of different ways, but Michigan will be a tough matchup. What we do know is whoever wins on Sunday will be on the top of these rankings.

Home/Big Ten