BTB Power Rankings

Every week the Big Ten Bloggers group conspires on a set of power rankings. Most weeks I'll post my version here. I filed my ballot via email last week. Check Gopher Nation for the results.

1) Purdue (17-5, 8-1): Last week: 2-0 (W vs. Iowa, @ Illinois) Next week: 2/5 vs. Penn State, 2/9 @ Wisconsin

No one can call yours truly a bandwagon jumper with the Boilermakers. During the first power poll, I believe I had Matt Painter's youngsters ranked higher than any other Big Ten blogger. I've had faith in these young Boilers and they have done me proud. I might just adopt this squad moving forward.

2) [Redacted] (18-3, 8-1): Last week: 2-0 (W vs. Indiana, @ Minnesota) Next week: 2/6 @ Iowa, 2/9 vs. Purdue

Nothing puts me in a sour mood quite like getting bitchslapped by Bucky. Bo Ryan's domination of the Gophers finished off a great week that began with a domination of Indiana. If they hold survive the road test at Iowa and hold home court against the Boilers, the [redacteds] will once again sit atop the conference.

3) Indiana (18-3, 7-1): Last week: 1-1 (L @ Wisconsin, W vs. Northwestern) Next week: 2/7 @ Illinois, 2/10 @ Ohio State

I see the Hoosiers dripping the game next weekend at Ohio State. And I'm bored with Eric Gordon. DJ White is the most important player for the Hoosiers.

4) Michigan State (19-3, 7-2): Last week: 1-1 (W vs. Illinois, L @ Penn State) Next week: 2/9 vs. Northwestern

Our friennds at SpartyMSU forgot to air out their meth lab this week. No way should Izzo's clan be in the #1 spot after losing in Happy Valley as the Lions are still Gearly Claxon-less. If anything, MSU should find it's way to the bottom of the rankings. Embarassing loss.

5) Ohio State (15-7, 6-3): Last week: 1-1 (W @ Penn State, L @ Iowa) Next week: 2/5 vs. Michigan, 2/10 vs. Indiana

Unfortunate loss at Iowa for Thad Matta's squad. But I can't fathom putting the Hawkeyes in the top six, so I won't.

6) Iowa (11-12, 4-6): Last week: 1-1 (L @ Purdue, W vs. Ohio State) Next week: 2/6 vs. Wisconsin, 2/9 @ Minnesota

The Hawkeyes enjoy a nice surge into the upper half of the league. But it won't last. 0-2 this week for Lickliter. You read it here first: Minnesota will embarass Iowa in The Barn this weekend.

7) Minnesota (13-7, 3-5): Last week: 1-1 (W @ Michigan, L vs. Wisconsin) Next week: 2/6 @ Northwestern, 2/9 vs. Iowa

No comment.

8) Penn State (11-10, 3-6): Last week: 1-1 (L vs. Ohio State, W vs. Michigan State) Next week: 2/5 @ Purdue, 2/9 @ Michigan

Hand it to Ed DeChellis for keeping this team motivated sans Claxton.

9) Illinois (10-13, 2-8): Last week: 0-2 (L @ Michigan State, vs. Purdue) Next week: 2/7 vs. Indiana

I'd be enjoying the Illini's struggles much more if we could mock Bill Self instead of bland Bruce Weber.

10) Michigan (5-16, 1-8): Last week: 0-1 (L vs. Minnesota) Next week: 2/5 @ Ohio State, 2/9 vs. Penn State

Signing day tomorrow Michigan football fans!

11) Northwestern (7-12, 0-8): Last week: 1-1 (W vs. Texas-Pan American, L @ Indiana) Next week: 2/6 vs. Minnesota, 2/9 @ Michigan State

Thank you, Wildcats. You make Minnesota football look awesome.

Big Ten Bloggers Power Rankings

Before I delve into the loss at home to Michigan State Sunday afternoon, here is my new Big Ten Power Rankings. After all of the Big Ten Bloggers have their rankings in, you'll see an updated Power Rankings on the right sidebar.

1. Indiana (16-1, 5-0) Previous: #1
Last week: 2-0 (W @ Minn., vs. PSU) Next week: 1/23 vs. Iowa, 1/26 vs. UConn

I'm now convinced the Hoosiers are the cream of the crop in the Big Ten. Never mind Eric Gordon. It's DJ White that makes this team the team to beat in the conference. He's vastly superior to Michigan State's lumbering Goran Suton and lanky Drew Naymick and White also will win the day against Wisconsin's Brian Butch. Gordon gets the press, but White's the cog that makes it all work.

2. Wisconsin (15-2, 5-0) Previous: #2
Last week: 2-0 (W @ PSU, vs. NW) Next week: 1/22 vs. Mich., 1/26 @ Purdue

In conference play, I'm not sure the Badgers have really been tested. That will change next weekend when Bo Ryan takes his team on the road to face the Boilers on Keady Court. Hawkeye State at BHGP is looking even further ahead to Bucky's tilt against Indiana at the Kohl Center. But I'm not sure the Badgers will head into that contest unblemished in conference play. Look for Purdue to hold home court next weekend.

3. Purdue (13-5, 4-1) Previous: #4
Last week: 2-0 (W @ Iowa, vs. Ill.) Next week: 1/23 @ PSU, 1/26 vs. Wisky

I'm sure some will say I shouldn't have the Boilers ahead of the Spartans. But Matt Painter's team took control on the road against Iowa against a team that Sparty crumbled against. And if we want to write that Purdue is destined to be streaky because of its youth, I'll just point out that no top-tier Big Ten team has been streakier than MSU. The Boilers are my early 2008-09 Big Ten favorites and they can take a giant step this week by upsetting Wisconsin.

4. Michigan State (16-2, 4-1) (Previous: #3)
Last week: 2-0 (W vs. OSU, @ Minn.) Next week: 1/24 @ NW, 1/27 vs. Mich.

Tom Izzo's team is obviously tournament bound and has the depth to be a conference title contender. But the Spartans don't have the feel of a team that can strike a knockout blow to lesser competition. Minnesota has hung around twice. Iowa pulled the upset. And after jumping out to a huge first half lead early last week against Ohio State, the Spartans watched their lead disappear. However, at no time during conference play has both Raymar Morgan and Drew Neitzel played well at the same time. Should that happen, watch out.

5. Ohio State (12-6, 3-2) (Previous: #6)
Last week: 0-2 (L @ MSU, @ Tennessee) Next week: 1/22 vs. Ill., 1/26 vs. Minn.

No shame in losing at Michigan State or Tennessee (I love the Vols, btw). But the Buckeyes are sitting in roughly the same position as our Golden Gophers. They need that quality win to find themselves in the NCAA come March. This week is a big one for Thad Matta and company. They have to hold home court with games against Illinois and Minnesota.

6. Minnesota (12-5, 2-3) (Previous: #5)
Last week: 0-2 (L vs. IU, vs. MSU) Next week: 1/26 @ OSU

Minnesota falls behind Ohio State here because the Gophers' losses to ranked teams this week came at home. As much as we like to dream big dreams about Tubby Smith's first version of maroon and gold, the team hasn't exhibited enough consistent play to be anything but a middle of the road team at this point. Should they go into Columbus next weekend and get a win, that could all change.

7. Illinois (9-10, 1-5) (Previous: #9)
Last week: 1-1 (W vs. Mich., L @ Purdue) Next week: 1/22 @ OSU, 1/27 vs. NW

Someone had to fill the 7-hole, and why not Bruce Weber's fallen-on-hard-times Illini. Seriously, however, the Illini have played in some close games but have been unable to pull off any big wins.

8. Penn State (10-7, 2-3) (Previous: #7)
Last week: 0-2 (L vs. Wisky, @ IU) Next week: 1/23 vs. Purdue, 1/26 @ Iowa

I feel sorry for the Nittany Lions. They might not have been NCAA material, but they had a chance for a near .500 record in the conference with Geary Claxton leading youngsters like Talor Battle and Jamelle Cornley. Hand it to Ed DeChellis and his team for playing well at IU for 3/4 of the game. Unfortunately for them, the career-ending injury to Claxton means season is over.

9. Iowa (9-10, 2-4) (Previous: #8)
Last week: 1-1 (L vs. Purdue, W @ Mich.) Next week: 1/23 @ Ind., 1/26 vs. PSU

I should probably swap the Hawkeyes in the rankings with the Illini, but seriously, this team would welcome an addition of someone like Kevin Payton.

10. Michigan (5-13, 1-5) (Previous: #10)
Last week: 0-2 (L @ Illini, vs. Iowa) Next week: 1/22 @ Wisky, 1/27 @ MSU

Well, at least Rich Rodriguez and his West Virginia detractors are giving the UM fans something to talk about.

11. Northwestern (6-9, 0-5) (Previous: #11)
Last week: 1-1 (W @ Chicago St., L @ Wisky) Next week: 1/24 vs. MSU, 1/27 @ Illini

How many years does Bill Carmody get? Just curious.

Big Ten Bloggers Power Rankings

A second week of Big Ten play is in the books, and the Big Ten looks more wide open then it did just one week ago. Michigan State looked abysmal in a loss at Iowa. Indiana looked completely beatable today, even though they held on against Illinois. And Purdue had a good week, losing a tight game at MSU before holding court at home against Ohio State.

If you missed last week's poll, here's the deal. A group of us from the Big Ten bloggers group are teaming up to do power rankings weekly during the Big Ten season. Obviously, it's a requirement if you run a sports Web site to incorporate power rankings. Later in the week, the ever-organized Tom from Gopher Nation compiles all of the ballots and unveils the new poll for the week.

Anyway, on to the new poll.

1) Indiana (14-1, 3-0): The Hoosiers have won on the road twice to start Big Ten play and held off a game Illinois team Sunday afternoon. Previous: 2

2) Wisconsin (13-2, 3-0): The Badgers took care of business in their only game of the week, a 70-60 win at home against Illinois. The Badgers could be 6-0 if they can go on the road and beat Penn State Tuesday night. Because after that the Badgers host Northwestern and Michigan. Previous: 3

3) Michigan State (14-2, 2-1): After struggling through wins at home against Minnesota and Purdue, the Spartans couldn't escape another poor shooting performance Saturday night during a stunner at Iowa. Drew Neitzel continues to struggle in Big Ten play and Tom Izzo's team looks extremely vulnerable. The upcoming week will tell us a lot about the Spartans as they host Ohio State and travel to Minnesota. Previous: 1

4) Purdue (11-5, 2-1): I had a couple emails a week ago telling me I had placed Purdue too high in my rankings. But after the Boilers took Michigan State to the wire in East Lansing and beat Ohio State 75-68 at home on Saturday, I feel somewhat vindicated. I still feel the Boilers are somewhat vulnerable to streaky play. They travel to Iowa Wednesday, in a game that could have been a trap game. But the Hawkeyes win over the Spartans should open the eyes of the baby Boilers. Previous rank: 4

5) Minnesota (12-3, 2-1): After opening Big Ten play with a hard-fought loss at Michigan State, the Gophers rebounded with two wins. Despite up and down play, the Gophers easily dispatched hapless Northwestern. The win at Penn State Saturday was most impressive. But the schedule only gets tougher for the Gophers as both Indiana and a pissed off Michigan State squad come to Williams Arena this week. A split of the two games will make the Gophers a legit NCAA tourney hopeful. Winning both games would allow us to talk about the unfathomable: a Big Ten title. Previous rank: 6

6) Ohio State (12-4, 3-1): The Buckeyes had an opportunity to pull off a big road win at Purdue but didn't have the horses down the stretch. I expect the Buckeyes to lose two games this week, as they travel to face the Spartans and then travel to Tennessee for a non conference match up with Bruce Pearl's Volunteers. Previous rank: 5

7) Penn State: The Nittany Lions had a week to prepare for the Gophers, but failed in their test to be considered as one of the teams fighting for an upper-echelon spot in the conference. Geary Claxton still impresses, as does Jamelle Cornley, but the way PSU choked the game away Saturday makes it hard to believe this team can climb the Big Ten ladder. Previous rank: 7.

8) Iowa (8-9, 1-3): The win against Michigan State is impressive. But if you watched this game, you should know that it was a really ugly game. That said, I would take a Gophers win over MSU this week by any means necessary. The Hawkeyes did everyone in the conference a favor by knocking the Spartans down to size. Previous rank 9.

9) Illinois (8-9, 0-4): Oh, how the mighty have fallen. It seems like just yesterday the Illini were a perennial Big Ten power. Now, they settle for moral victories like the one they had in a close loss Sunday at Indiana. Previous rank 8.

10) Michigan (5-11, 1-3): Yuck. Previous rank 10.

11) Northwestern (5-8, 0-4): Will be lucky to match Minnesota's 9-11 mark from last year. Previous rank 11.

Big Ten Bloggers Power Rankings

The Big Ten blogger community has conspired to put together Power Rankings for the Big Ten season. All of us will give our rankings at the beginning of each week (I'll try to do this on Sunday nights). Then, Tom at Gopher Nation will compile all of the rankings and unveil a Big Ten Bloggers power rankings.

So far, The Hoosier Report has their rankings up here. And Hawkeye State at Black Heart Gold Pants combines presidential primary politics and Big Ten Basketball in his well done rankings here.

1) Michigan State 13-1 (1-0)
While the Gophers gave Michigan State all they wanted Saturday night, the Spartans definitely impressed. Drew Neitzel and Goran Suton struggled. But Raymar Morgan demonstrated why he might be the best player in the conference. And freshman point guard Kaylin Lucas was very impressive in how own right. He hit from the outside and helped the Spartans push the ball on the fast break and run the half court offense. The Spartans are 10 to 12 deep, and right now get the number one spot.

2) Indiana 12-1 (1-0)
At some point the Hoosiers could overtake the Spartans. But to date, MSU's non-conference resume gives them the edge. Wins for the Spartans against BYU, Texas and North Carolina State trump wins for the Hoosiers against teams like Kentucky.

3) Wisconsin 12-2 (2-0)
After watching the Badgers this weekend hold off a somewhat feisty Iowa team this past weekend I walked away very impressed. Brian Butch is everything Gopher fans wish Spencer Tollackson could be. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Bo Ryan has the Badgers atop the conference at season's end. If it weren't for a very deep Spartans team I'd bet on it.

4) Purdue 10-4 (1-0)
I'm not sure how long the Baby Boilers will stay in this position. They looked very streaky in their conference opening win against Michigan. But at this point I'm not ready to drop them from where I had them picked last week when I put out my Big Ten predictions.

5) Ohio State 11-3 (2-0)
Led by Jamar Butler and Kosta Koufos the Buckeyes are 2-0 in conference play. They host Iowa and then travel to Purdue this week. Two more wins and they'll climb up a spot.

6) Minnesota 10-3 (0-1)
If the Gophers continue to play like they did at the Breslin Center, the Gophers have a real possibility of being the #4 team in the conference. But Tubby Smith's team needs to take care of business this week against Northwestern at home and at an upstart Penn State team. While the Gophers close loss at MSU was impressive, they'll need much more out of senior Dan Coleman if they are to be a top team in the conference.

7) Penn State 10-4 (2-0)
Two road wins to begin conference play is nothing to scoff at. And that's exactly what the Nittany Lions have accomplished, with an 11 point win at Northwestern and a four point win at Illinois. Geary Claxton and Penn State have a week to prepare for Minnesota when the Gophers travel to Penn State on Saturday.

8) Illinois 8-7 (0-2)
The Illini have lost two home games to two middle-of-the-road Big Ten teams in Penn State and Ohio State. Shaun Pruitt is doing what he can for Illinois, but recent recruiting woes for Bruce Weber's team has put Illinois in a likely multi-year rebuilding project.

9) Iowa 7-8 (0-2)
The Hawkeyes hold the 9-spot ahead of Michigan and Northwesern because in their two Big Ten games, Todd Lickliter's team has shown fight. They lost by three at home against Indiana and played with Wisconsin in Madison for most of the game Saturday.

10) Michigan 4-10 (0-2)
Yuck.

11) Northwestern 5-6 (0-2)
The Gophers should be able to handle Northwestern by double-digitis on Wednesday.