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 /

9 of 14

Big Ten Basketball Ohio State Buckeyes guard Tanner Holden Basketball Ceb Mbk Rutgers Rutgers At Ohio State /

6. Ohio State Buckeyes – 7-2 (1-0)

The Buckeyes won its first game in league play last Thursday, albeit in controversy at home against Rutgers. Tanner Holden made a game-winner three-pointer to give them the 67-66 victory over the Scarlet Knights, led by 22 points and 14 rebounds from Zed Key, along with 13 points from freshman forward, Brice Sensabaugh. Starting point guard Isaac Likelele was out with an injury and freshman Bruce Thornton played very well in his absence, going for 10 points and five assists in 39 minutes played.

The emergence of the freshmen (Sensabaugh and Thornton) has been big for Ohio State this season. Sean McNeil is averaging 10.0 ppg but the other two have struggled. Key has been the team’s best player, while a healthy Justice Sueing is producing 12.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg. The only thing that this team doesn’t do well is created live-ball turnovers but is average or above average at everything else, including shooting the ball.

It’ll be interesting to see if Thornton takes over at point for Likelele more and more since he’s certainly an offensive upgrade. If the freshman guard becomes a little better defender, then expect the Buckeyes to make the move. We’ll see soon, with a matchup with North Carolina coming up this weekend.

Home/Big Ten