Ranking each Big Ten basketball team entering conference play
14. Indiana Hoosiers
Similar to Rutgers, Indiana has been somewhat disappointing through the first two months of the season despite a 10-3 record. The Hoosiers shouldn鈥檛 be written off yet, but they lack a signature win and have suffered some ugly-looking defeats to Louisville and Gonzaga. Indiana鈥檚 defense has struggled in its losses and will need to find greater consistency, but the pieces are in place for Mike Woodson鈥檚 team to improve, led by top scorer Malik Reneau.
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska has begun the season 11-2, highlighted by an impressive win at Creighton. The Cornhuskers also have a Big Ten victory over Indiana, but showed their floor in a 37-point loss at Michigan State. Senior guard Brice Williams is averaging nearly 20 points while the Huskers have also received nice contributions from Juwan Gary and transfer Connor Essegian. However, they may lack the same offensive firepower that propelled them to the NCAA Tournament last season.
12. Northwestern Wildcats
Chris Collins always has his team ready for Big Ten play and Northwestern has already picked up a nice conference win over Illinois. The Wildcats probably should鈥檝e won at Iowa as well. It鈥檚 fair to question the level of upside this team possesses, but the Wildcats have been consistent thus far, particularly on defense. Forward Nick Martinelli is also having a breakout season as he and guard Brooks Barnhizer both average over 20 points. That tandem could ultimately put Northwestern in the NCAA Tournament conversation.
11. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa has just three losses entering Big Ten play and has the looks of another scrappy team under Fran McCaffery that could ultimately finish in the top half of the conference standings by the time all is said and done. The Hawkeyes鈥� three defeats have come to three talented teams: Utah State, Michigan and Iowa State. Iowa was in each of those games and will remain a tough team to play in the Big Ten behind stars Owen Freeman and Payton Sandfort who are the focal points of the seventh-best scoring offense in the nation.
