Big Ten Basketball: Illinois, Michigan leads rankings heading into NCAA Tournament

Wins

*Old Dominion
*Navy
*Mount St. Mary’s
*Saint Peter’s
*La Salle
*@Wisconsin
*@Illinois
*Wingate
*Minnesota (twice)
*Purdue
*Nebraska (twice)
*@Rutgers
*Michigan State (twice)

Loses

*@Clemson
*Rutgers
*@Purdue
*Michigan (three times)
*@Indiana
*Iowa
*Wisconsin
*Penn State (twice)
*Ohio State
*@Northwestern

Net ranking: 35

KenPom ranking: 31

AP ranking: N/A

Post-Season Tournament: NCAA Tournament

First Round Opponent: UConn

Brief Season Summary

Maryland and head coach Mark Turgeon brought back five of their top nine scorers from last season in guard Eric Ayala, forward Donta Scott, guard Hakim Hart, forward Darryl Morsell, and guard Aaron Wiggins and the expectations were not unrealistic but still fairly high. However, Turgeon’s team did not play up to those expectations and did not play as well as they did last season.

The Terrapins and their fan base would love for this year’s team to make a run in the NCAA tournament and advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Maryland has proven with wins at Illinois and Wisconsin that they can win away from home and they look to defeat UConn to have an opportunity to advance to the round of 32.

Wins

*Eastern Illinois
*Arkansas-Pine Bluff
*Green Bay
*Rhode Island
*Loyola Chicago
*Louisville
*Nebraska (twice)
*@Michigan State
*Minnesota
*Indiana
*@Rutgers
*Northwestern (twice)
*@Maryland
*@Nebraska
*Penn State

Loses

*@Marquette
*Maryland
*Michigan (twice)
*Ohio State
*@Penn State
*Illinois (twice)
*Iowa (three times)
*@Purdue

Net ranking: 27

KenPom ranking: 11

AP ranking: N/A

Post-Season Tournament: NCAA Tournament

First Round Opponent: North Carolina

Brief Season Summary

Like Maryland, the Badgers didn’t return every key player from last season but they brought back enough players to have high expectations for 2021. Wisconsin returned three key players this season in D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davison, and Nate Reuvers. The Badgers had a major piece this season in Micah Potter who is a major contributor and their leading scorer. However, Wisconsin in a tough and competitive conference did not exceed and or meet their preseason expectations.

Wisconsin this season struggle to compete with up-and-coming teams like Illinois, improved and well-balanced teams like Iowa, and surprise teams that exceeded expectations in Michigan. However, the Badgers may surprise many in the NCAA tournament by defeating North Carolina and possibly upsetting Baylor in the round of 32. Though there will be obstacles and difficult games ahead in the tournament, the Badgers should be ready for the challenge.

Wins

*Liberty (neutral site)
*Oakland
*Valparaiso
*Indiana State
*Ohio State (twice)
*Notre Dame (neutral site)
*Maryland
*Michigan State (twice)
*Indiana (three times)
*Penn State (twice)
*Minnesota
*Northwestern
*@Nebraska
*Wisconsin

Loses

*Clemson (neutral site)
*@Miami
*@Iowa
*@Rutgers
*@Illinois
*Michigan
*@Maryland
*@Minnesota
*Ohio State

Net ranking: 22

KenPom ranking: 13

AP ranking: 20

Post-Season Tournament: NCAA Tournament

First Round Opponent: North Texas

Brief Season Summary

Coach Matt Painter returned three of his top three scorers in center/forward Trevion Williams, guard Eric Hunter Jr., and guard Sasha Stefanovic from last season. Those three-players helped the Boilermakers meet this season’s expectations and they competed in the Big Ten this season.

The Boilermakers saw tremendous growth in junior power forward Williams who is having a great season as he is Purdue’s leading scorer averaging almost 16 points a game. Head coach Matt Painter will continue to work in the late hours of the night to have the Boilermakers ready to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

If the Boilermakers can continue to be consistent and play efficient basketball if they beat North Texas can defeat either Winthrop or Villanova to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.