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B1G Basketball Power Rankings, Nov. 14: MSU drops after stunning loss to open season
By Paul Harvey
Published:
The B1G basketball season is under way, and already we have had a taste of some March Madness results in the first week of the season.
Michigan State — a top-5 team in the preseason AP Poll — was stunned in a home season opener by James Madison. While JMU might be a legitimate mid-major team this season, the Spartans are widely seen as a serious Final Four contender with a deep team under Tom Izzo.
Maryland was also on the losing end of some surprising nonconference results, and a couple of other losses before B1G play would really put the Terrapins behind the 8 ball. Meanwhile, Purdue continues to look like the class of the conference.
With one week of the season already wrapped up, here is a look at the B1G power rankings (results complete through Sunday, Nov. 12):
14. Minnesota
Last Week: W 80-60 vs. Bethune-Cookman; W 102-76 vs. UTSA
Dawson Garcia opened the season with 45 points in the 2-0 start for the Golden Gophers. Isaiah Ihnen is 6-for-7 from 3-point range after a perfect shooting night against UTSA.
13. Nebraska
Last Week: W 84-52 vs. Lindenwood; W 81-54 vs. Florida A&M
Five Huskers reached double figures in the season-opening win and Rienk Mast is a name to watch after 20 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Florida A&M. As long as the Huskers avoid disaster, they will get a better idea of how they look in matchups against Oregon State at the end of the week and a matchup against Creighton in December.
12. Rutgers
Last Week: L 68-61 vs. Princeton; W 69-45 vs. Boston U; W 66-57 vs. Bryant
Losing to Princeton in the season opener is not great, but we’ll revisit that game for the full optics at the end of the season. Aundre Hyatt responded from that loss with 36 points in the wins over Boston and Bryant.
11. Maryland
Last Week: W 68-53 vs. Mount St. Marys; L 64-61 vs. Davidson; L 66-63 vs. UAB
A couple of November losses are not what Kevin Willard was hoping for. Julian Reese battling foul trouble against UAB and Donta Scott failing to a be factor against Davidson are the biggest concerns, but the Terrapins need some quality nonconference wins before hitting the B1G slate.
10. Penn State
Last Week: W 79-45 vs. Delaware State; W 74-65 vs. Lehigh
Like most November college hoops games, the level of competition must be considered. Still, Penn State has looked solid in the first 2 games with Kanye Clary shining early. He has 42 points in the 2-0 start, while Qudus Wahab has 18 points and 31 rebounds.
9. Northwestern
Last Week: W 72-61 vs. Binghamton; W 71-66 vs. Dayton
Early returns on transfer Ryan Langborg are positive, including a 19-point outing in the win over Dayton. So far, that’s a great one-two punch to go with Boo Buie, with Brooks Barnhizer also contributing early.
8. Ohio State
Last Week: W 79-73 vs. Oakland; L 73-66 vs. Texas A&M
Ohio State’s length is something to watch for with this team moving forward after 10 total blocks against Texas A&M, including 4 by Felix Okpara. Zed Key coming off the bench has also been a nice wrinkle to start the season for the Buckeyes.
7. Wisconsin
Last Week: W 105-76 vs. Arkansas State; L 80-70 vs. Tennessee
Wisconsin did not play terribly against Tennessee, but there is plenty to learn from that performance moving forward. File that away as a learning experience for the Badgers’ key group.
6. Michigan State
Last Week: L 79-76 vs. James Madison; W 74-51 vs. So. Indiana
It’s hard to open the season shooting much worse than Michigan State has, including a 1-for-20 effort from 3-point range against James Madison. Michigan State gets its first measuring stick game against Duke this week and will follow that up with another key game against Butler.
5. Michigan
Last Week: w 99-74 vs. UNC Asheville; W 92-62 vs. Youngstown State
Olivier Nkamhoua is off to a flying start in Ann Arbor and has a shot to be the most important transfer piece in the B1G this season. Dug McDaniel also looks like a star in the making, but Michigan’s season will be determined by how many role players step up on a regular basis.
4. Illinois
Last Week: W 80-52 vs. E Illinois; W 64-53 vs. Oakland
A lot will be learned about Illinois when the team faces Marquette this week. So far, Terrence Shannon Jr. is back as the leading scorer, Coleman Hawkins looks primed for another versatile campaign and Quincy Guerrier delivered a double-double in the win over Oakland.
3. Iowa
Last Week: W 110-68 vs. North Dakota; W 98-67 vs. Alabama State
The competition is one thing, but Iowa’s offense opened the season without missing a beat despite no Kris Murray in the lineup. Payton Sandfort has a shot at a special season and even produced a double-double in the win over Alabama State with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists.
2. Indiana
Last Week: W 69-63 vs. FGCU; W 72-64 vs. Army
Indiana is looking for some cohesion with new pieces in play this season, but the pieces certainly have some talent. Kel’el Ware delivered a season-opening double-double and followed that up with 20 poitns in the win over Army. The next step for this team will be to get Mackenzie Mgbako going.
1. Purdue
Last Week: W 98-45 vs. Samford; W 87-57 vs. Morehead State
A pair of games shooting 50% from the floor for Purdue, one game shooting over 50% from 3-point range and Zach Edey playing as advertised. The Boilermakers look like … well, the Boilermakers of a year ago.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.