Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan State fight at top
By Ryan Kay
7. Wisconsin 13-9 (6-5)
Key Wins
*Defeated Marquette 77-61 in their in-state rivalry game.
*Beat Indiana 84-64.
*Won at Tennessee 68-48.
*Defeated Michigan State, 64-63.
*Beat Maryland and won at Penn State.
Disappointing Losses
*Lost on a neutral court to New Mexico 59-50.
*Lost on a neutral court to Richmond 62-52.
*Lost at Purdue 70-51.
*Lost to Illinois by 1 point by a final score of 71-70.
KenPom Ranking 31
Net Ranking 32
Like many of the teams mentioned earlier in the power rankings, Wisconsin lost a star player in Ethan Happ and a key contributor in Khalil Iverson from last season’s team. However, three key players from last year’s team in D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davison, and Nate Reuvers have been consistent contributors. The Badgers have also had some quality contributions from freshman Tyler Wahl and former Ohio State player and transfer Micah Potter. Though the Badgers have had their ups and downs in Big Ten play.
The biggest surprise for Wisconsin this season has been the transfer of sophomore Kobe King who was the Badgers second-leading scorer. His transfer fills a big void in the Badgers offense. However, junior forward Aleem Ford who has stepped up and has been a solid contributor this season.
As alluded to earlier, the Big Ten is the most difficult to predict in years. You have so many teams like Michigan State, Illinois Maryland, Penn State, and Iowa competing at the top of the Big Ten standings and even teams like Indiana and Rutgers playing well in a conference that it is difficult for Wisconsin compete in.
Wisconsin, however, may surprise many in the Big Ten by playing well down the stretch in the second half of Big Ten play. The Badgers may even when it is all said and done be one of the top seven teams in the Big Ten. However, there will be many obstacles and difficult games ahead but the Badgers should be ready for the challenge as they showed when they beat Michigan State at home this past weekend. Wisconsin next travels to play Minnesota on Feb. 5th.