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

1. Purdue (9-1, 1-1)

For the first time in program history, Purdue ascended to the #1 ranking in the AP Top 25, and even though that ranking was short-lived, it’s clear that the Boilermakers are the team to beat in the Big Ten this season. Sophomores Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey are playing starring roles, while Trevion Williams is averaging nearly a double-double per game. This is the best roster in the Big Ten and they’ve shown it, for the most part, this season.

The Boilermakers ran off eight straight wins to start the season, ascending to that top rankings, before losing a shocking game at Rutgers last week. The offense has played at an elite level, picking up nice wins over North Carolina, Villanova, Florida State, and Iowa already this season. This last week has been a bit of a struggle, needing a big comeback and overtime to sink NC State, and the outside shooting certainly played a role in that.

Purdue has not been in the Final Four in over forty years but this looks like the team that can make that kind of run. Barring some sort of slump or late-season collapse, this is the team to beat in the Big Ten. The offense has been so good that they’ve actually passed Gonzaga for tops in the nation in efficiency, and the defense has put together some nice games as well.

This is the current state of the Big Ten and we’ve taken a deeper look at each of these fourteen things. We’ve seen how things stand after one month and a few conference games, but who do you think will sink or swim in the tough Big Ten?