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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan State fight at top

By Ryan Kay

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 2: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is pressured by Xavier Tillman #23 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2020, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 2: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is pressured by Xavier Tillman #23 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2020, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 29: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 29: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

5. Penn State 17-5 (7-4)

Key Wins

*On the road, defeated Georgetown 81-66 in the Gavitt Tipoff Games.

*Beat Syracuse 85-64 in the NIT Season Tip-Off.

*Defeated Maryland 76-69 and Iowa by a score of 89-86.

*Beat Alabama 73-71.

*Defeated Michigan on the road by a score of 72-63 as well as beating Michigan State on the road.

Disappointing Loss

*Lost to Mississippi on a neutral court, 74-72.

*Lost at home to Wisconsin, 58-49.

*On the road, lost to Ohio State by a score of 106-74.

KenPom Ranking 16

Net Ranking 24

The Nittany Lions didn’t lose a ton of players from last season but did lose Josh Reaves and Rasir Bolton. Penn State did, however, bring a very solid and dependable group back from last season in Lamar Stevens, Myreon Jones, Mike Watkins, and Myles Dread. Transfer Curtis Jones and freshman Seth Lundy have provided depth for the Nittany Lions this season.

Had Rasir Bolton not had transferred, the Nittany Lions could easily be sitting here with only one loss and possibly a top-15 national ranking. Losing their second-leading scorer from last season’s team only hurts when thinking how much better offensively the Nittany Lions could be at this point going into the heart of Big Ten play in January. However, Penn State returned Lamar Stevens who is easily on pace to be a Big Ten 1st team selection at the end of the season. The Nittany Lions also brought back Myles Dread after a promising freshmen year as well as veteran Mike Watkins and sophomore Myreon Jones.

The Nittany Lions have already shown flashes of being an up and coming team this season with impressive non-conference wins and a nice victory at home against Maryland. The only concerning part of Penn State’s season thus far was getting blown out by Ohio State 106-74 back in early December. The Nittany Lions had a very impressive win when they went into East Lansing to and defeated Michigan State. The Nittany Lions host Minnesota on Feb. 8th. However, Penn State will look to Stevens to lead them to a strong finish in Big Ten play and this will be a season that ends in an NCAA Tournament berth and possibly more.

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