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

13. Penn State (5-0)

After program magic in 2023, head coach Micah Shrewsberry and All-American Jalen Pickett both left town, leaving the Nittany Lions to pick up the pieces. New coach Mike Rhoades had a solid effort in his first season with at Penn State, but it paled in comparison to that 23-win season. Now in his second season with the Nittany Lions, Rhoades is hoping that this can be that step forward that Shrewsberry similarly had in year two.

This team hasn’t exactly played the strongest schedule in the world, but they’ve taken care of business and secured five straight wins. All of those victories came by double figures, including a neutral-site win over Virginia Tech just a week ago. The Nittany Lions have been dynamic on offense in the paint, though their defense was very suspect in giving up 89 points to Purdue Fort Wayne just a few nights ago.

Penn State actually sits among the national leaders in 2-point field goal percentage and steals, getting the job done in the opening weeks of the season. Ace Baldwin Jr. is looking to end his career on a high note while a veteran roster includes Zach Hicks and Puff Johnson playing meaningful minutes for the Nittany Lions. Baldwin isn’t Pickett but he can be a leader for this team; the question remains on how far he can lead them in this newly-revamped Big Ten.