Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Michigan, Ohio State climb to the top

By Adam Childs | Dec 10, 2019

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 04: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with fans after their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 04, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ohio State won 74-49. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 31: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Penn State had the look of a team ready to make the leap and they still might but the second half against Ohio State showed they aren’t quite there yet.

Lamar Stevens is still scoring a ton of points and he is finally getting some help. Sophomore Myreon Jones is becoming a very good second option. Jones had three straight double-digit games highlighted by his 22 point effort against Wake Forest.

Penn State is winning the games they are supposed to right now and has looked pretty good doing it. They did drop a close on to Ole Miss by two, but the isn’t a horrible loss.

The problem is going to be can they compete with the top of the conference. They played the Buckeyes tough for a half but were completely outclassed in the second half as Ohio State blew them away and won by 32 as they scored 106 points.

The Nittany Lions still look like a legitimate tournament team, but they need to find a way to get over the hump against the top of the Big Ten. If they can start winning some of these games they could be a top-five team in the conference.

But for now, fans need to enjoy watching Stevens play and see if the Nittany Lions can make that jump. We will find out soon if they belong with the top.

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