Big Ten Basketball: 3 big surpises of 2019-20 season so far

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Zavier Simpson #3 and Eli Brooks #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 21: A detailed view of a Wilson college basketball during the third round of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Consol Energy Center on March 21, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Heading into the 2019-20 season, Big Ten basketball was not expected to be much improved, if at all, from the year prior. Things change though, and the Big Ten is no exception.

The thought of Big Ten Basketball containing eight teams with a record of 6-2 or better at the beginning of December would have been a foolish thought in the preseason. Now though, the Big Ten contains just that. Not one of these eight teams is the preseason #1 ranked Michigan State.

The Spartans are 5-3 which is good for 9th in the Big Ten at the moment.

One must take into account that those three losses came from Kentucky, Virginia Tech and Duke, a daunting task for almost everyone in college basketball. Although they have struggled, the Spartans have wins over then #12 Seton Hall and Georgia, a team expected to be much improved with the addition of top freshman Anthony Edwards. Not all is lost for Sparty.

The rest of the Big Ten though has been taking care of business early on this season. The conference has combined for seven top-25 wins and 15 other wins over major conference foes so far.

This is just one of many surprises so far this season in what has traditionally been one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences.

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