Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Penn State and Maryland leads the pack

By Ryan Kay

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts late in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts late in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – JANUARY 03: The Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – JANUARY 03: The Wisconsin Badgers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

6. Wisconsin 15-10 (8-6)

Best Non-Conference Win

*Won at Tennessee 68-48.

Key Big Ten Victories

*Beat Indiana 84-64.

*Defeated Michigan State, 64-63.

*Beat Maryland and won at Penn State.

Disappointing Losses in Big Ten play

*Lost at Purdue 70-51.

*Lost to Illinois by 1 point by a final score of 71-70.

*Lost at Minnesota, 70-52.

Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking:  7 (Up one spot)

KenPom Ranking: 28

Net Ranking: 31

D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davison, and Nate Reuvers have been consistent contributors for Wisconsin in Big Ten play and are the main reason that the Badgers are two games above 500 in conference play. Wisconsin also has had some quality contributions from freshman Tyler Wahl and former Ohio State player and transfer Micah Potter lately. The Badgers have had their ups and downs in Big Ten play but they are positioning themselves to get the 5th seed in the Big Ten tournament with four of their next six games are at home.

During Big Ten play, the biggest surprise for Wisconsin has been the transfer of sophomore Kobe King who was the Badgers second-leading scorer before announcing his intent to transfer. His transfer leaves a big void in the Badgers offense but Wisconsin surprisingly has won three of their last four games since he left the program. Junior forward Aleem Ford has stepped up offensively and has been a solid contributor this season.

This Big Ten is the most difficult to predict in years. Wisconsin being 8-6 at this point in the season is pretty remarkable given the circumstances. 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 which makes it difficult for Wisconsin to compete for one of the top 5 spots. However, the Badgers have a favorable schedule heading down the stretch so don’t count them out of finishing in one of those top-5 spots in the Big Ten standings.

There may still be many obstacles and difficult games ahead but the Badgers should be ready for the challenge as they showed when they beat Michigan State and Ohio State at home recently. Wisconsin next hosts Purdue on Feb. 18th.

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