Around the Big Ten: College Basketball
College basketball has finally returned with exciting action through the first two weeks, and with huge non-conference matchups underway, we have seen several Big Ten programs making the case as to why this year will be different than the rest.
The Big Ten is always a conference that sees multiple teams ranked in the Top 25, but so far, only Indiana, Illinois and Michigan are among them.
On Tuesday night, the Michigan State Spartans bounced back after a 64-63 defeat against No. 2 Gonzaga, upsetting the No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats in two overtimes, 86-77.
Meanwhile, Penn State is off to a 3-0 start as they downed the Butler Bulldogs on Monday evening, 68-62.
The Nittany Lions also received a vote to be ranked, and if the season continues to trend upward, it will be the first time the blue and white saw the rankings since before the 2019-2020 season came to a halt.
Thus far, 12 of the 14 Big Ten teams are undefeated, and we may see a few more break through the Top 25 in the next week.
Ohio State (2-0) is set to face Eastern Illinois this week, and although this game is against an easier opponent, the Buckeyes’ true identity will be revealed next week as they will face No. 17 San Diego State followed by No. 7 Duke, both on the road.
No. 20 Michigan is going to continue to lean on the playmaking abilities of its 7-foot-1, 260-pound junior center in Hunter Dickinson.
Dickinson comes back as a catalyst and difference-maker for the Wolverines, already averaging 26.5 PPG through just two games.
The defending Big Ten-champion Iowa Hawkeyes are also off to a favorable 2-0 start and will face Seton Hall this week, the first true test of the season for either team.
The Purdue Boilermakers also have a test in front of them as they will hit the road to face Bob Huggins and the West Virginia Mountaineers on Thursday evening.
Purdue brings back its strong, experienced junior center, Zach Edey, and the Boilermakers are also looking to fill the role of guard Jaden Ivey with freshman guard Braden Smith coming in averaging 10.7 PPG.
The strength of the Big Ten will continue to unfold, as the Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) have a ranked matchup looming against No. 21 Dayton.
Maryland is off to a predictable 3-0 start as well, as the Terrapins’ senior guard Hakim Hart is off to an impressive start — averaging just under 11 PPG, scoring 13 in a 24-point blowout over Binghamton.
With Nebraska, Northwestern, and Rutgers all undefeated, the Big Ten is shaping up to be an exciting conference this year.
Penn State will head down south to play in the Charleston Classic before heading to Clemson for a date with the Tigers next Tuesday, and how the Nittany Lions finish in November will determine a lot for Micah Shrewberry’s squad heading forward.
No. 19 Illinois will host No. 8 UCLA on Friday night, a pivotal matchup that will unveil the identities of both programs and once again prove whether Big Ten teams will be able to compete this season.
Although Michigan State’s lone loss is to Gonzaga, Tom Izzo and the Spartans are no strangers to the Top 25 rankings, which they may have earned a spot in after downing Kentucky.
There is a lot of basketball to be played, but the Big Ten will be a conference that could potentially dominate in all facets this season, with a couple of sleeper teams making the adjustments to make their case for an NCAA Tournament bid.
Connor Fenix is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjf5726@psu.edu.
