In a busy week with teams participating in all kinds of preseason tournaments, three Big Ten teams stood out and continued to solidify their top 25 ranking. Maryland, Michigan State, and Purdue all continued their success as they have compiled a combined 19-0 record through the first few weeks of the season.
The Big Ten did see a team drop from the rankings for a second straight week as the Indiana Hoosiers lost two games in the Maui Invitational against Wake Forest and UNLV. The Hoosiers now join Iowa and Northwestern in others receiving votes in the Week 4 poll.
Today, we take a look at how the the three ranked Big Ten teams fared last week and a quick look ahead at their upcoming schedule.
Maryland Terrapins (6-0)
- AP: #2 (4) USA Today: #2 (3)
The Terrapins continued their unbeaten streak, winning the Cancun Challenge with victories against Illinois State and Rhode Island. Mark Turgeon's squad also handled Cleveland State 80-63 at home, finishing up a 3-0 week. Melo Trimble won tournament MVP and continues to lead Maryland in scoring with 14.8 points per game on better than 50% shooting.
Maryland will face by far their toughest test of the season on Tuesday in the Big Ten vs ACC Challenge. This game will feature a great point guard matchup with Marcus Paige returning for UNC as the Tarheels welcome Melo Trimble and Maryland to Chapel Hill. Maryland will finish their week up at home against St. Francis (PA).
Michigan State Spartans (7-0)
- AP: #3 (2) USA Today: #3
Michigan State continued their early season success as the Spartans won the Wooden Legacy Tournament with 3 wins in 4 days. Tom Izzo's team beat Boston College, Boise State, and Providence in Anaheim over the weekend as Denzel Valentine took home the Most Outstanding Player award. The Spartans also took down Eastern Michigan early in the week making it a perfect 4-0.
Michigan State faces Louisville on Wednesday in the Big Ten vs ACC Challenge in what will be another early test for the Spartans who seem up for any challenge. The Spartans end the week with Binghamton on Saturday. With both games in East Lansing, don't expect Michigan State to drop out of the top-3 any time soon.
Purdue Boilermakers (6-0)
- AP: #11 USA Today: #11
The Boilermakers are off to a great start and despite a quiet week, with just one game, jumped 5 spots in the AP Poll and 4 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Purdue's only game this past week was a victory over Lehigh 77-55. Isaac Haas was big for Matt Painter as he shot 8-11 for a game high 24 points.
Purdue matches up with Pittsburgh in the Big Ten vs ACC Challenge on Tuesday in what will be a tough road test for the Boilermakers. They will then return home to face a 4-1 New Mexico team on Saturday. Both these games will be good tests for Purdue as they try to continue to rise up the polls and possibly in to the top 10.
Who Next?
While Indiana dropped out of the top 25 in both polls this week, they will have a golden opportunity to jump right back in to the rankings with a win over Duke on Wednesday. It won't be easy for the Hoosiers, though, as they will have to do it in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tom Crean's squad has the talent to hang with Duke, the question will be if they can put a full game together in a tough environment.