Big Ten Basketball: Early takeaways after first week of 2020-21 season

Interpreting Michigan’s presence in the AP Poll

It only took a week, but the Michigan Wolverines who were ranked No.25 in the pre-season fell out of the AP Poll. Oddly enough, it was not even their fault, after going 2-0, one being a ten-point overtime victory versus Oakland, the Wolverines received 90 votes, the most of any team outside the top-25.

Juwan Howard has the Wolverines staring down a pretty favorable schedule before conference play begins for them on Dec.13, 2020. Even when conference play does begin, the Wolverines have a game versus Nebraska, Northwestern, and have two versus Penn State prior to meeting up with current No. 4 Wisconsin or any of the six AP Top-25 teams that call the Big Ten Conference home.

Whether the strength of the Big Ten is a reality or just perceived, the Wolverines will undoubtedly get several wins out of the current eight they have versus AP Top-25 opponents as they play Wisconsin and Michigan State twice.

Juwan Howard’s club will also face Indiana twice, who themselves received thirty-eight votes in the AP Poll after defeating Providence who was placed third in the Big East Coaches’ pre-season poll. Then on Wednesday, Indiana defeated PAC 12’s Preseason Media Poll fourth-place team.

Nobody expects Michigan to get wins over Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State, or Wisconsin, but they will be quality losses as they manage to get a win or two versus Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, and Rutgers, but make no mistake, Michigan is not a Top-25 team, even when they are voted in it.