Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Can anyone take Maryland off the No. 1 spot?
By Ryan Kay
5. Iowa 20-9 (11-7)
Best Non-Conference Win
*Defeated Texas Tech 72-61 in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.
Key Big Ten Victories
*Beat Maryland at home by a score of 67-49.
*Defeated Michigan and Rutgers at home.
*Swept Minnesota and beat the Golden Gophers 72-52 at home.
*Defeated both Penn State and Ohio State at home.
Disappointing Losses in Big Ten play
*On the road, lost to Nebraska by a score of 76-70.
*Lost to Purdue on the road, 104-68.
*Lost at Indiana by a score of 89-77.
Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking: 3 (Down 2 spots)
Ken Pom Ranking: 20
Net Ranking: 29
Had the Hawkeyes held on to their halftime lead at Michigan State and won, they would have easily been ranked in the top four of this week’s power rankings. Iowa has won three of its last four games with home victories over Penn State and Ohio State. The Hawkeyes can win their last two games in order to get a double-bye in the Big Ten tournament but they may need Illinois, Michigan State, or Wisconsin to lose a game or two down the final stretch for that to happen.
Iowa has had their fair share of injuries that they had to endure this season to key players. They could have easily used it as a legit excuse as to why they have not played well at times this season. Jordan Bohannon, a starter on last year’s team will miss the remainder of the season due to hip surgery. Iowa’s depth has been effective by injuries as Jack Nunge is out for the rest of the season and Patrick McCaffery more than likely will not play this season as well as he has not played since early November. Iowa, however, has done well this season and has risen above preseason expectations as they are currently battling for third place in the Big Ten regular-season standings.
The Hawkeyes have the leading contender to win the Big Ten player of the year award in star forward Luka Garza. He has had help however with the very strong play of Joe Wieskamp who however has not played since the Michigan State game and C.J. Fredrick whose first game back was against Penn State this weekend having been out since his last game which was at Indiana in mid-February. Both players even though they have had various minor injuries of late, are averaging in double digits in scoring this season and both are shooting above 35 percent from beyond the three-point arch as well. However, Garza’s excellent play can not be overstated as he has been dominant on the offensive end averaging nearly 24 points a game.
Iowa overall has played better than expected this season and Garza, as well as Wieskamp and Fredrick when all are healthy, may be the best trio in the Big Ten thus far nearing the end of the Big Ten regular season. Iowa’s supporting cast all have really stepped up their games this season especially with the injuries to key Iowa players being out. Garza has surpassed Cassius Winston and others as the leader to win Big Ten player of the year and is guaranteed to be a 1st team Big Ten selection at the end of the season as well as being named Big Ten player of the year.
There is no disrespect to Winston, Oturu, Lamar Stevens, and Anthony Cowan Jr. and their great play in conference games this year but Garza has been dominant on both ends of the floor and has carried his team to multiple close game victories over ranked and quadrant one opponents. The Hawkeyes can compete and are now expected to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Time will tell and having Iowa ranked fifth in this week’s rankings shows you the tremendous depth of the Big Ten. Iowa next hosts Purdue on Mar. 3rd.