Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Indiana flies up, Michigan crashes down

1. Purdue Boilermakers – 21-1 (10-1)

There’s no surprise as to who leads Big Ten Basketball, as the Boilermakers have now won eight straight since the last-second defeat to Rutgers. But this team isn’t blowing everyone out and has the biggest target on its back. It started out with a 58-55 victory over Maryland, nearly surrendering a 20+ point lead. Only one player was in double figures and as you’d guess, it was Zach Edey with 24 points and 16 rebounds.

There was a bit more scoring in the next game against Michigan, with Purdue leading for most of the way. It was close and within range for the Wolverines but they never could get back the lead, with the Boilermakers winning, 75-70. Edey led the team again with 19 points, while freshman guard Fletcher Loyer had 17.

In the last game against Michigan State, Purdue needed a last-second basket by Edey to get by. That wasn’t needed this time around, with the favorites having an 18-point lead at halftime and being able to coast toward a 77-61 win. Edey dominated once again with 38 points and 13 rebounds, with David Jenkins coming off the bench with 11 on 3/4 three-point shooting.

Even when Trayce Jackson-Davis of Indiana is going on an elite run, Edey goes for nearly 40 to shut down any conversation for Big Ten Basketball Player of the Year talk. But we’ll get to see these two match up this weekend, as the Hoosiers are now the second-hottest team in the conference. But the Boilermakers should avoid overlooking Penn State a few days prior, as Jalen Pickett is capable of taking over a game himself.