Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Illinois, Rutgers rise to top of standings
By Adam Childs
Michigan is patiently waiting for Isaiah Livers to return and he can’t return soon enough. The Wolverines have struggled without their top scorer since he has been out with a groin injury.
With Livers, the Wolverines won games against North Carolina and Gonzaga en route to a Battle 4 Atlantis championship. But without him, they struggled to beat Purdue at home and lost to Minnesota and Iowa on the road.
The Wolverines finally catch a break with their schedule as they get five of their next six at home where they have only lost once. Michigan is still looking for their first road win even though they came close at Iowa and Minnesota.
When this team is whole they are one of the best in the Big Ten, but when they are missing Livers they might not be a top-half team.
Maryland is yet another team that is undefeated at home and winless on the road in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have looked great in their own building but then they travel on the road and its a completely different story. The good news is none of their losses are bad ones, with their worst one probably being at Wisconsin.
Jalen Smith and Anthony Cowen Jr continue to produce for the Terrapins, but the team is only averaging 71 points per game. Add in that they are averaging just under 13 turnovers a game and it can lead to inconsistent play.
Maryland still has the talent to be a threat come tournament time, but it would be nice to win some road games before then.