Power Rankings: Vol. 4
by babaoreally on Feb 6, 2012 9:43 PM CST
in Power Rankings
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No groups this week, just straight rankings. If there was a group, I would put 6-10 in the "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back" category.
1. Ohio State - 1.0 (no change)
The win at Madison solidifies the Buckeyes at the top spot, exactly where their talent level should have them.
2. Michigan State - 2.0 (no change)
Michigan State's 41-42 loss at Illinois brought back memories of that awful 39-36 Wisconsin-Penn State game from last year's BTT. A bounce back win at home against the hated Wolverines keeps them at #2.
3. Wisconsin - 3.3 (up 1)
4. Michigan - 3.7 (down 1)
These two teams are basically even. Wisconsin had won six in a row before Thad Matta and Co. rolled into Madison. Michigan defended their home court against IU and lost at MSU.
5. Indiana - 5.0 (up 2)
A win at Purdue isn't as impressive this year as most, but it's Tom Crean's first big road win in his four years at IU. A unanimous #5 ranking; we're pretty confident in this ranking at this moment.
6. Illinois - 6.2 (up 2)
Every team from #6 on down has major flaws and some bad losses. The Illini managed to lose a home game against Northwestern and moved up two spots because of their win against MSU. It doesn't make sense, but that's the Big Ten in a nutshell this year. Winning a game after only scoring 42 points is pretty impressive in some ways.
7. Minnesota - 7.3 (down 1)
Winning a road game against anyone is impressive, even if it is Nebraska. Losing at Iowa was a missed opportunity considering they had a ten point lead in the second half.
8. Purdue - 8.2 (down 3)
A loss to Indiana at home for Purdue is about as bad as it gets. The Boilermakers don't seem to be very good at offense or defense this year, which is a problem.
9. (tie) Northwestern - 9.2 (up 2)
The Wildcats won two games in a row for the first time in conference play, but it only brings their total wins up to four. Winning at Illinois while only playing six guys (a couple of who would not see the floor on other Big Ten teams) is pretty impressive.
9. (tie) Iowa - 9.3 (no change)
What separates Iowa and NU in ninth from Illinois in sixth? Nothing in my opinion; it's that close and it seems to change every game based on who is playing the least badly. Iowa's remaining schedule looks pretty easy to compared to a lot of other teams. They may be creeping up a few spots in the coming weeks.
11. Nebraska - 11.3 (down two)
The Huskers lost to Northwestern and Minnesota this week, so they drop a couple of spots.
12. Penn St. - 11.6 (down one)
Another winless week for PSU keeps them in the cellar.
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No disagreement on the rankings, but I’m not sure why everyone keeps ignoring the NC State win. IU overcame a 7 point deficit late and ran away with the game against a team that now is 17-7/6-3 and is in the NCAA field in most projections. I know it isn’t relevant to Big Ten power ratings, but there is a better-than-decent chance that the win over NCSU will end up as IU’s best road win of the season. Of course, I and every other IU fan values the win at Mackey more, but I think the NCSU win counts as “big,” both because of the quality of the opponent and the manner in which IU won.
The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Feb 7, 2012 10:06 AM CST reply actions
Honestly completely forgot about that one
Manager at BT Powerhouse a Big Ten basketball blog
@babaoreally
by babaoreally on Feb 7, 2012 4:54 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
What?
Not sure if I agree with how high Minnesota is, even though KenPom seems to agree with you. The fact that they are 1-3 against the the three next teams down and their best wins (Indiana, Illinois) are only slightly better than Purdue’s and not as good as Iowa’s (Michigan, Wisconsin) makes me think the Gophers should be lower.
Still quite a few games left though, and the Gophers are going to get really pushed in this last stretch so we will see whether they belong there or not.
http://victorypolka.blogspot.com/
I don't understand NW
That team just makes no sense to me, they’re up & down like a roller coaster.
Unfortunately, I don’t see this being the season they break into the dance, just far too inconsistent. The only way I see them making it is with a run to BTT title game.
I think there's still hope
assuming we get to 9-9 and win a game in the BTT. It’s still an outside shot, but yeah.
Oh, and they make no sense to me either.
if you think NU's team is a roller coaster
Try rooting for a team. Seriously, the highest hill on roller coaster is at the beginning (winning 3 games in four days at Charleston), followed by a big drop (getting humiliated by Baylor, nets scorched by Creighton and and generally pummeled by OSU, in addition to giving away Illinois/Michigan games) while there are some secondary bumps (MSU @ home, @ILL) throughout the ride, you always end up at the bottom at the end. (2 losses to ioa and on the road to PSU aren’t out of the question).
Must be how Cleveland and Minnesota sports fans feel on a yearly basis … Any time something good happens, I’m waiting for the face smack.
by wcgrad on Feb 8, 2012 11:33 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
So what you're saying is,
going into the season, it looks like it will be fun to be a NW fan, but by the end of the ride, you’re shaken up, disheveled & nauseous?
What's playing in Northwestern's favor..
….is no bad losses, and some decent non-conference wins (neutral court wins against LSU and Seton Hall among them).
I mean, ALL of their losses are to teams that are likely tourney bound — at Creighton, Butler, Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, and Ohio State. If you beat teams worse than you and only lose to good teams, that kinda makes you a good team, right?
