Player of the Week:
Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, Indiana Hoosiers
This was the easiest player of the week decision yet for me. Jackson-Davis has been playing exceptional basketball for the last week and a half. Over Indy’s four game win streak, TJD has averaged 27.3 ppg, 14.3 rpg, and 4.8 bpg. He’s been great all year, however there’s been slip-ups and poor performances sprinkled throughout, which have ultimately led Indiana to a record worse than they were anticipating. However, the Hoosiers have won four straight with all thanks to Jackson-Davis’s stat-sheet stuffing nights. In their most recent game, a nail-biting win over a shorthanded Minnesota, TJD had a 20-20 game and scored the winning basket in the final minutes of the game. In an up-and-down year for the Hoosiers, they seem to have finally found their rhythm; no better time to do so than right now as March is just around the corner.
Who’s Hot?
Jahmir Young, G, Maryland Terrapins
The guard-heavy Terps went 1-1 this week, however they gave Purdue a run for their money and beat down on Wisconsin a few days after. Young’s growth this season as a playmaker is admirable and has been on full display this week. In their win over Wisconsin, he scored 22 points and dished out 5 assists. In their loss, Young shot poorly while only scoring 10 points from the field, however he was able to create 7 assists in that game. Comparing this to Maryland’s New Year’s Day loss to Michigan, where he shot 2/9 and had 2 assists, is exemplary of Young beginning to contribute to the offense even when his shot isn’t falling. In games where Young has 5+ assists, the Terps are 2-2 with their two losses being tight games against top 10 opponents. If Young can continue to be a playmaker for Maryland they can finally create a consistent offensive gameplan behind their talented backcourt.
Purdue Boilermakers
I can’t write much about this team that hasn’t already been said. In a year where there’s been a ton of upsets and rises and falls in the rankings, Purdue has remained constant in the standings. They returned to number one in the AP poll this week, after a close win on Sunday over Maryland. Purdue seems to win in all sorts of ways. Close games? Check. Blowouts? Check. Clutch shot-making? Check. Dominant performances? Check. They just keep winning and winning their way. The only team to push Purdue out of their comfort zone was Rutgers, one of the best defensive squads in the country, and even then Purdue was able to keep their composure and make the game come down to the wire. Zach Edey and the boys are the best team in the country and they’re going to be a freight train (Get it?) to stop in a few weeks.
Who’s Not?
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have continued sliding this week. They dropped two in a row to Northwestern, who hadn’t played in a week due to COVID-19, and Maryland. Wisconsin shares the ball well, they have four players averaging double digits, however they don’t have a star who can step up in the big moments and take over a game. For some teams, this is a good thing. Baylor’s championship team a few years back had fantastic scorers and defenders that could play an excellent brand of team basketball. Wisconsin can’t do this because they don’t have the elite defensive presences that that Baylor squad had. There is no Davion Mitchell here. Their defense is solid at best on most nights, they sit right in the middle of the conference in terms of defensive rating. Wisconsin needs to score more efficiently, and their scorers need to step up more consistently when their number is called.
Chucky Hepburn, G, Wisconsin Badgers
Hepburn is a prime example of what is going wrong for the Wisconsin Badgers right now. Hepburn is a talented scorer; however, he lacks the defensive game and the playmaking ability that Wisco so desperately needs right now. It doesn’t help that in the two losses this week, he’s played terribly. Chucky averages about 12 ppg this year; in the last two losses he’s averaged 7.5 ppg on less than 30% shooting from the field. He doesn’t seem interested enough in the game at times, a concerning sign for a player who is supposed to be a leader of a renowned program.
B10 Power Rankings
5. Indiana Hoosiers
Surging back towards the top of the B10, TJD has spearheaded a four-game run that has been equal parts electrifying and dominant. Having an anchor like Jackson-Davis gives any team a chance to win basketball games. When he and Hood-Schifino are both playing well their offense is nearly impossible to stop.
4. Michigan State Spartans
MSU has been a little flat in the last 5 games, however their losses haven’t been bad. It took 31 points from Trayce Jackson-Davis to beat them by 12 on Sunday. The matchup against Purdue is going to tell us how much Michigan State has grown throughout this up-and-down season. Putting injuries into account, it’s impressive that the Sparts still sit this high in the rankings.
3. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern’s backcourt continues to shine this season. This team is built around excellent guard play and when that happens, they’re really fun to watch. The question is consistency, it’s not easy to survive games in March without elite size. However, this year anything seems possible and If Audige and Buie continue to ball, so will the ‘Cats.
2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Elite defense, timely shot-making, and clutch performances have been the story for Rutgers this season. They’re essentially the antithesis of Wisconsin, they remind me a lot of that Baylor team a few years back. Not talentwise, but in terms of coaching and overall roster structure.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
They just keep on chugging. Sunday the 29th against MSU will be broadcasted on CBS, and figures to be a tight matchup with two B10 powerhouses