Big Ten Basketball: Wisconsin rises, Indiana falls in latest power rankings

Nov 27, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) celebrates during the second half after scoring a basket against the Duke Blue Devils at Moda Center. Purdue won the Phil Knight Legacy Championship game 75-56. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

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Indiana Hoosiers guard Tamar Bates Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Indiana Hoosiers – 8-2 (1-1)

One of the best freshmen in the country this season is Jalen Hood-Schifino, who started seven games and averaged 8.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 4.1 apg. He’s allowed senior guard Xavier Johnson to play off the ball more and the Hoosiers had another ball-handler and playmaker on the court. He’s been out for the past three games and the team has suffered as a result, losing 2 of 3 games. One of those included a 15-point road defeat to Rutgers.

Had Indiana not beaten Xavier earlier in the season, an argument can be made about how good the team actually is. The win over North Carolina doesn’t mean much at the moment and while Nebraska looks improved, a home win over them doesn’t mean much either.

What helps the Hoosiers’ floor is star Trayce Jackson-Davis. The senior forward is averaging 16.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 3.0 apg, while already having a triple-double in the early season. Johnson is second on the team with 10.9 ppg and 5.2 apg, with several other role players producing around 6-9 ppg as well.

This is a team that’s much improved from three-point range, making 36%. That was a big area of concern heading into the season but with Miller Kopp shooting around 50% from three, Indiana seems to be in good shape there. They’ll need that and more from him and the rest of the team as they face a major test in the Kansas Jayhawks this weekend.

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