Big Ten Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into the New Year

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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Big Ten Basketball Penn State Nittany Lions Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Penn State Nittany Lions

The struggles have certainly not been for a lack of talent, with four different players averaging double figures in points-per-game and have managed to hang with some tough opponents. While the team has played well, they couldn’t hold onto late leads against Seton Hall or Michigan but did manage to add a dominant signature win on the road against a ranked Virginia Tech opponent.

The Nittany Lions have gotten off to a rough start in Big Ten play, currently having an 0-3 record. That included close losses on the road at both Michigan and Indiana. Had those results been different, this team could’ve risen up the rankings. But that’s how close the margin is between the lower and middle tier of the Big Ten.

Penn State has played the fewest games of any team in the Big Ten and might just need some additional games to build team chemistry. They open January with a tough stretch playing four straight games against ranked opponents.

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