Busting Brackets
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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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Big Ten Basketball Ron Harper Jr. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Big Ten Basketball Ron Harper Jr. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

12. Rutgers (5-5, 1-1)

Last year, Rutgers finally broke a three-decades-long NCAA Tournament drought and had their first good season since joining the Big Ten. They lost some of that talent, but returning stars Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker came back, hoping to replicate that success with the Scarlet Knights and lead this program to even more great moments. A month into the season, it’s been up and down for Rutgers; but they’ve certainly had their great moment.

Last Thursday, the Scarlet Knights upset previously unbeaten and top-ranked Purdue, winning a thrilling 70-68 affair at home. Unfortunately, after a 3-0 start to the season, they’ve now lost five of their last seven games, including a head-scratching home loss to Lafayette just a few weeks ago. They’ve recently also gotten pounded by Illinois and struggled at Seton Hall last weekend.

However, Rutgers may not be a lost cause this season. Home wins over Purdue and Clemson both look solid; and are frankly two betters wins than a couple of ranked teams have right now. There’s no shortage of opportunity for the Scarlet Knights once Big Ten play begins, but their offensive struggles are certainly cause for concern. The win over Purdue was the one game this season where the Scarlet Knights were finally hitting their shots from outside; they’ll need performances like that to scrape out more hard-fought wins come January and February.

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