Big Ten Basketball: Michigan State leads power rankings heading into new year
By Ryan Kay
12. Purdue 8-5 (1-1)
Key Wins
*Beat VCU 59-56 in the Emerald Coast Classic.
*On the road beat Virginia 69-40 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Disappointing Loss
*Lost at Nebraska 70-56.
Purdue lost two key players from last season’s team in Carsen Edwards and Ryan Cline. Not only did Purdue lose their top scorer and player in Edwards but they also lost their second-leading scorer in Cline. The Boilermakers lose three of their top five scorers from last season but they bring back a young talented core especially on the front line.
Some of those experienced and talented players such as Matt Haarms, Nojel Eastern, Trevion Williams, and Aaron Wheeler have made solid contributions thus far this season. Big men Matt Haarms and Nojel Eastern have shown great stats so far this season but they have been steady and the Boilermakers are still hoping that sophomore Trevion Williams can have a great and productive second half to the season.
Transfer Jahaad Proctor has had a major impact on the boilermakers as he is the current leading scorer for Purdue heading into 2020. Head coach Matt Painter will have the Boilermakers ready to compete in the Big Ten this upcoming season even though they had a disappointing loss in Big Ten play when they lost by double digits to Nebraska. To the Boilermakers credit, they played a tough non-conference schedule and they look forward to hosting Minnesota on Jan. 2nd to get their second Big Ten win on the season.
11. Minnesota 7-5 (1-1)
Key Wins
*Defeated Clemson 78-60 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
*Beat Ohio State 84-71.
*Won on a neutral court (Tulsa, OK) defeating Oklahoma State 86-66.
Disappointing Loss
*Lost on a neutral court to Oklahoma 71-62.
The Gophers lost some key players from last season’s NCAA tournament team in Amir Coffey, Jordan Murphy, and Dupree McBrayer. Losing Coffey hurt Minnesota’s chances of being a top-echelon Big Ten team for this season but Minnesota did bring back key returning players in Daniel Oturu and Gabe Kalscheur. Both Oturu the Gophers leading scorer this season and Kalscheur have played well thus far this season. Minnesota brought back seven scholarship players and they have a talented freshman in Tre Williams who is getting better in every game. Sophomore guard Marcus Carr has been a pleasant surprise as he is the Gophers 2nd leading scorer.
Minnesota is overall a fairly young team and they can beat a good team or two at home like they did when they defeated Ohio State but they just don’t have enough pieces to compete for a Big Ten title this season. They can be a dangerous team this season and if all goes well they have a shot at making the NCAA tournament again this season.