Big Ten Basketball: Purdue, Ohio State, Wisconsin rise in latest power rankings

4. Rutgers (4-0)

While last year wasn’t indicative of recent success, Rutgers basketball has overall been in much better shape with Steve Pikiell in recent seasons. The Scarlet Knights made consecutive trips to the Big Dance before their bubble was popped in 2023. The offense completely fell apart last season even as the defense remained strong. Fortunately, an exciting offseason with two elite recruits has Rutgers dreaming about Big Ten supremacy.

We’re seeing glimpses of Rutgers’ brilliance, though a weak opening schedule hasn’t presented a ton of opportunities. All four of the Scarlet Knights’ games have come at home against mid-majors, with four straight double-digit wins. They did struggle to score outside the arc against Saint Peter’s and weren’t great defensively against Monmouth, but it’s been no harm, no foul in the early going, with those two rookies coming into their own.

We’re specifically talking about Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, both of whom are putting up monster numbers four games into the season. Bailey missed time but has 40 points combined in his first two games while Harper already looks like one of the best guards in the Big Ten. Obviously, we need to see Rutgers do this against a legitimate opponent or even a fellow Big Ten team, but the early returns on their two young guards are outstanding.