Big Ten Basketball: Michigan’s rout puts them on top of Power Rankings

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-4, 3-4 Big Ten)

Like Northwestern, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights carry the weary hopes of a program on their shoulders. And like Northwestern, optimistic times have turned sour, as Rutgers is suddenly in danger.

After winning seven of their first eight this season, Rutgers ran into Iowa, who they lost to after a miss at the buzzer. Nothing wrong with that. But the Scarlet Knights looked listless in a 23-point loss to Michigan State and didn’t look significantly better in an 11-point loss to Ohio State, their second defeat at the hands of the Buckeyes this year.

Injuries are a valid excuse for Rutgers. Star freshman Cliff Omoruyi has missed several games, though he should be nearing a return. Stars Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr., have also been contending with ankle maladies this year.

But Rutgers also desperately needs the Baker of old to return. He appeared to be poised for a big senior season, but the guard is averaging just 8.8 points per game. He’s appeared fine with ceding the starring role to Harper, but Baker still needs to be the team’s second-best player, not Jacob Young or Montez Mathis.

Rutgers gets Wisconsin at home on Friday, followed by a rare stretch of four games against unranked opponents. If the Scarlet Knights want to finish last year’s quest of ending the program’s NCAA Tournament doubt, this is the time to prove it.