Big Ten Basketball standings: The contenders, double-bye owners and where Maryland stands after Rutgers win
The Big Ten expanded to 18 teams last offseason, adding UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon. But more than halfway through the conference schedule, the league's standings look similar to previous years. Who are the title favorites? What about the double-byes? And where does Maryland stand
The Big Ten expanded to 18 teams last offseason, adding UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon. But more than halfway through the conference schedule, the league's standings look similar to previous years.
Near the three-quarters mark of the conference slate, 13 teams have five wins or more. Six entered Monday ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. At least 10 squads are in serious contention to make the NCAA tournament. And once again, there isn't a dominant favorite perched above the rest.
Coming off its 90-81 win over Rutgers on Sunday, Maryland is sixth in the conference standings, one game behind Wisconsin and surging UCLA for the No. 4 spot and one of those prized four double byes in the Big Ten tournament. The Terps have beaten the two teams ahead of them, Wisconsin and UCLA, which gives them a boost if tiebreakers end up needed.
Parity is the theme of the conference again, but some tiers are forming. Here's a look:
The Title Contenders
Purdue: Matt Painter once again has his team at the top of the conference with an 11-2 conference record. Point guard Braden Smith has replaced the void left behind by two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey.Smith's been incredible. The junior guard is averaging 16.1 points per game, 8.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds. He's the betting favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year, which would make it three consecutive seasons a Boilermaker's claimed the award.
Michigan State: Guards have been the story of the Spartans season so far. The quartet of Jeremy Fears, Tre Holloman, Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins have thrived for Tom Izzo, fitting perfectly into his up-tempo offensive style. The Spartans have a top 25 offensive and defensive rating on KenPom - making them a serious contender for the national championship. But they have a gauntlet of a remaining schedule, including a late-February trip to Maryland.
Michigan State is slated to face six ranked opponents - including three combined games against Michigan and Purdue. This final stretch will determine where the Spartans end up in March.
Michigan: The Wolverines have rebounded from a dreadful 2023 season. First-year coach Dusty May has led Michigan to a 10-2 conference record, eight more Big Ten wins than it had last season, with a dynamic offense. The Wolverines' 81.7 points per game is the program's highest average since Steve Fisher was the head coach. Transfers Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, Tre Donaldson and others have thrived in May's system. Wolf and Goldin are just ahead of Maryland's Julian Reese and Derik Queen as the best big-man duo in the conference.
The Sleepers
Maryland: A devastating road loss to Ohio State dropped Maryland to sixth in the conference. The Terps are still playing strong basketball.UCLA: The Bruins have recovered after coach Mick Cronin's infamous rant. UCLA has won seven straight games, allowing just 65 points per game over that span.
Illinois: One of the most inconsistent teams in the country, Illinois has the look of a team that could either make a Final Four or bow out in the Round of 64. Its last big win was over an overrated Oregon team at the onset of January.
Wisconsin: The Badgers are quietly No. 12 on KenPom, behind only Purdue among Big Ten teams.
The Bubble Teams
Ohio State: OSU looked great in that second-half comeback against Maryland but was soundly out-played in the second half of a road loss to Nebraska on Sunday.Rutgers: Freshman phenom Dylan Harper returned this week, which means the Scarlet Knights have repaired their star duo of Harper and Ace Bailey. Bailey leads the conference in scoring at 20 points per game.
Oregon: After beating Texas A&M and Alabama in the non-conference, Oregon looked like prime contenders. But the Ducks have lost five games in a row, including to Minnesota and Nebraska. They're currently on the edge of the bubble.
Nebraska
On the Outside Looking In
Indiana: The Hoosiers are a rudderless ship, as coach Mike Woodson announced he would not be returning as coach next season. Indiana's lost numerous close games and have dropped seven of its last eight contests.Northwestern: Brooks Barnhizer is out for the remainder of the season, which zapped the Wildcats' chance at a tournament run. Chris Collin's team is still pesky, but they no longer have one of the Big Ten's top players.
Iowa
USC
Minnesota
Penn State
Washington
