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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Michigan State, Wisconsin takes big jumps

By Joey Loose

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 09: Trevion Williams #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers fights for position with Ron Harper Jr. #24 and Mawot Mag #3 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a game at Jersey Mike's Arena on December 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Purdue 70-68. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 09: Trevion Williams #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers fights for position with Ron Harper Jr. #24 and Mawot Mag #3 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a game at Jersey Mike's Arena on December 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Purdue 70-68. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Johnny Davis Wisconsin Badgers Big Ten Basketball (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Johnny Davis Wisconsin Badgers Big Ten Basketball (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

5. Wisconsin (9-2, 1-1)

After some hullabaloo, there were changes this offseason for Wisconsin, but Jonathan Davis and Brad Davison both came back and are delivering for the Badgers. Those two are leading the Badgers in scoring and many other vital categories, while a couple of new pieces have found their way into the rotation. Whatever the preseason expectations were for the Badgers, they look like a legitimate Big Ten contender again this season.

When the Badgers suffered a home loss to Providence early on, it was fair to wonder what kind of season Wisconsin was going to have, but they assuaged those doubts with a fantastic performance at the Maui Invitational, knocking off a great Houston team on the way to the tournament title. The Badgers have also collected wins over Georgia Tech (on the road), Marquette, and Indiana before dropping a really rough game at Ohio State this past weekend; their worst performance of the season.

The Badgers sit in the top 15 in defensive efficiency, and their offense has done enough this season to carry them to some nice wins. Offense is what really let them down in those two losses, and it’s hard to find consistent scoring from anyone outside of Davis and Davison. Still, the Badgers have enough talent, especially on the defensive end, that it’s going to carry them to some wins down the stretch this season. A few more tune-ups loom before Big Ten play begins in earnest in January; could we see the Badgers making another run in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament this year?

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