NCAAB · 1 year ago

College Basketball Big Ten Power Rankings Tiers: MSU Makes Push

David Connelly

Host · Writer

Tier V: Maryland, Michigan, Indiana, Rutgers, Penn State
All of these teams need some serious changes in order to make their season successful. While the cellar is relatively cluttered in this conference this year, it means that plenty are underachieving, as has the entirety of the conference to this point. Each team has serious deficiencies that make them a walkover in league play, and it's brought down the quality of the league in 2024.
Tier I: Purdue
The Boilermakers continue to stake their claim as the best team in the nation. It's become debatable with the recent performances UConn has put together, but there is still a case to be made for Purdue. If Zach Edey continues to put together dominant performances like the one this week at Assembly Hall, they will likely will hold this perch all season long.
Tier II: Wisconsin, Illinois
Both teams put up a head-scratching performance in a road loss to Penn State for Wisconsin and a home defeat to Maryland for Illinois. We aren't necessarily concerned about either of these teams, but it does further the gap between them and the Boilermakers. It's also worth noting the temporary return of Terrence Shannon Jr. will certainly give Illinois a boost, but it's uncertain how long he will be back.
Tier III: Michigan State, Northwestern
The metrics have Michigan State right around the second tier, but we're not quite ready to give the Spartans that honor. They need to show more consistency this season, and wins over Rutgers and Minnesota don't really move the needle all that much. Northwestern is the opposite where their metrics are not as admirable, but their resumé is strong enough to keep them in this tier. You can't make a bracket today without the Wildcats in it, and that helps hold them above the others in the tiers below.
Tier IV: Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota
This group has shown flashes, but none have done enough to merit anything higher than the fourth tier. Three-straight losses to Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan have been brutal blows for Hio State, the only team in this grouping with any chance at an at-large bid as of today. We'll still bet that at least one team from this group makes the NCAA Tournament, but it's no guarantee.
Tier V: Maryland, Michigan, Indiana, Rutgers, Penn State
All of these teams need some serious changes in order to make their season successful. While the cellar is relatively cluttered in this conference this year, it means that plenty are underachieving, as has the entirety of the conference to this point. Each team has serious deficiencies that make them a walkover in league play, and it's brought down the quality of the league in 2024.
Tier I: Purdue
The Boilermakers continue to stake their claim as the best team in the nation. It's become debatable with the recent performances UConn has put together, but there is still a case to be made for Purdue. If Zach Edey continues to put together dominant performances like the one this week at Assembly Hall, they will likely will hold this perch all season long.

College Basketball Big Ten Power Rankings Tiers: MSU Makes Push

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