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Big Ten Basketball questions: 2023 POY picks, under-the-radar storylines

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 11, 2019; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten logo on the floor at the Kohl Center before the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2019; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten logo on the floor at the Kohl Center before the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten Basketball Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Cam Spencer Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. What is an under-the-radar storyline in the league that few are talking about?

Kay

The emergence of Rutgers has gone under the radar in terms of storylines this season. The Scarlet Knights have not been perfect but they are the only team to beat Purdue and they defeated the Boilermakers on the road which was very impressive. They also defeated Maryland by 14 and beat Indiana by 15 points and they should have defeated Ohio State on the road by losing by one point on a last-second shot by the Buckeyes. They have also won five out of their last six games and they deserve a little more recognition than they have been receiving this season.

Lidskin

Ohio State’s national emergence. While the Buckeyes might not be getting the credit right now, they currently are 11th in KenPom and their freshmen class has been phenomenal. People will hear the name Brice Sensabaugh floating around draft conversations for the next six months, but Bruce Thornton is also having a fantastic season running the show for Ohio State.

Simberg

While Rutgers and Penn State are fun stories, I do feel like Northwestern is flying under the radar. Their non-conference wins weren’t much, but they have wins at Indiana, Michigan State, and vs. Illinois to start league play.

There are few easy wins in the Big Ten, and I am still skeptical about them long-term, but they sit near the top of the standings. Their defense should keep them in games, at eighth in the country per Ken Pom. At 3-1, they are ahead of other cinderellas Rutgers and Penn State, and firmly in the mix for a title at this moment in time. It feels like Chris Collins is coaching for his future and another tournament appearance (his second as the Wildcats coach) could save his job.

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