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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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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Iowa 16-6 (7-4)

Key Wins

*On the road beat Syracuse 68-54 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge

*Defeated Texas Tech 72-61 in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.

*Beat in-state rival Iowa State on the road 84-68.

*On a neutral court, they beat Cincinnati 77-70.

*Beat Illinois and Maryland at home.

Disappointing Losses

*Lost to DePaul 93-78 at home.

*On the road, lost to Nebraska by a score of 76-70.

KenPom Ranking 13

Net Ranking 22

The Hawkeyes were not supposed to be in contention to possibly win the Big Ten this season. Iowa had lost key players from last season’s NCAA tournament team. This past offseason, Tyler Cook declared for the NBA Draft and Isaiah Moss transferred to Kansas and both were starters on last season’s Hawkeye team. To make matters worse, Jordan Bohannon also a starter on last year’s team will miss the remainder of the season due to hip surgery.

Iowa’s depth has also been effective by injuries as Jack Nunge is out for the rest of the season and Patrick McCaffery is out for an extended period of time as he has not played since early November. Iowa, however, has done well this season and has risen above preseason expectations.

Iowa has won six of their last seven games as they have been led by the leading contender to win the Big Ten player of the year award in brought Luka Garza. He has had help however with the strong play of Joe Wieskamp, and C.J. Fredrick. Both players are averaging in double digits in scoring this season and both are shooting above 38 percent from beyond the three-point arch as well.

Iowa overall has played better than expected this season and Garza, as well as Wieskamp and Fredrick, may be the best trio in the Big Ten thus far at this point of the season. All three players have really stepped up their game this season. Garza has surpassed Cassius Winston as the leader to win Big Ten player of the year and is virtually guaranteed to be a 1st team Big Ten selection at the end of the season.

No disrespect to Winston and his play in conference play but Garza has been dominant and has carried his team to multiple close game victories over ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes can compete and are now expected to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Time will tell and having Iowa ranked fourth in these rankings shows you the depth of the Big Ten. Iowa next travels to Purdue on Feb. 5th.

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