Player of the Week
Pryce Sandfort Jr., Nebraska
It was a close call between Sandfort and teammate Rienk Mast, but Sandfort earns the nod after an outstanding week for Cornhusker basketball. A former Iowa Mr. Basketball, he spent his childhood in the state and his first two college seasons at Iowa before making the difficult decision to transfer to Fred Hoiberg’s program, a move that has paid off immediately. Sandfort has seized a starting role and thrived with expanded opportunity, helping Nebraska remain one of just two undefeated teams in the Big Ten with wins over Creighton, Wisconsin, and a thrilling victory against No. 13 Illinois. He saved his best performance for that Illinois matchup, erupting for 32 points and six made threes, and his blend of size, playmaking, and movement shooting is drawing significant attention around the league, especially from Iowa fans watching their former standout dominate conference play.
Who’s Hot
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Keep an eye on Tyler Bilodeau, who has emerged as a pivotal piece in Mick Cronin’s rotation. Bilodeau has always been in the mix for the Bruins, but he has recently taken on a larger role as the team looks to regain its footing. A seasoned veteran, he spent his first two seasons at Oregon State before transferring to UCLA last year. After a shaky team-wide start to the season, Bilodeau missed two games with injury but returned with renewed toughness and confidence. UCLA suffered a tough loss to Gonzaga this week, yet Bilodeau was a lone bright spot, scoring 24 points while knocking down four threes. He followed that with 18 points on efficient shooting against Arizona State, and his combination of skill and leadership could help steer UCLA back toward the NCAA tournament picture.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The central question surrounding Nebraska remains whether they are true national title contenders or simply early-season darlings. For now, it is best not to rush judgment. The Cornhuskers are unbeaten, with six wins over KenPom top-100 opponents, and have earned the right to let the season play out. Wins over Creighton, Wisconsin, and Illinois have Nebraska sitting atop the Big Ten alongside Michigan as conference play approaches. The forward duo of Rienk Mast and Pryce Sandfort has led the way, with both averaging over 17 points per game while offering floor spacing and versatility. This may be a hot take, but Nebraska has already done enough to be taken seriously as a contender.
Who’s Not
Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Reality has hit Michigan State after its 8–0 start, beginning with a close loss to Duke. What followed was more concerning, as the Spartans played an inexperienced Penn State team down to the final possession in what should have been a bounce-back effort. Michigan State eventually found its rhythm in a blowout win over Toledo, but Tom Izzo’s squad may be experiencing an early-season identity check. Fears’ recent play has been a particular concern, as he went 0-for-10 from the field against Duke and shot just 6-for-16 across games against Toledo and Penn State. While he is more of a distributor than a scorer, the lack of shot creation bears watching. If he cannot hit the three consistently, his overall offensive impact may suffer. The upside is that he remains a sophomore with time to grow as the season unfolds.
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland flashes moments of promise in nearly every game, enough to make you believe, but those stretches rarely last when it matters most. Double-digit losses to Gonzaga, Alabama, Iowa, and Michigan suggest the Terrapins are struggling to keep pace with elite competition and may be on the outside of the tournament picture. It has been a difficult start to the Buzz Williams era in College Park. Seniors Pharrel Payne and David Coit have provided reliable scoring at the top of the rotation, but Payne’s recent injury against Michigan could sideline him for an extended period. Maryland may need to lean more heavily on freshmen Andre Mills and Darius Adams, both of whom possess intriguing size and scoring ability. What once looked like a promising foundation has begun to crack as conference play approaches.
Top 5 Teams in the Big Ten
1. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan has been tested at times but remains firmly at the top of the conference. The Wolverines are not just winning, but dominating, and their rare blend of positional size and versatility should overwhelm most Big Ten opponents unless proven otherwise.
2. Purdue Boilermakers
As usual, Purdue finds itself near the top of the standings under Matt Painter. The system, roster construction, and play style remain consistent because they continue to produce results. Statistically, Purdue boasts one of the nation’s best offenses, though the 23-point loss to Iowa State raised some concern.
3. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State is tough, experienced, and loaded with capable playmakers. The Spartans handled a demanding non-conference slate well, but losses to Duke and a scare against Penn State have introduced some doubt.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers
In one of the most improbable seasons in program history, Nebraska’s undefeated start can no longer be ignored. Fred Hoiberg’s group has proven it belongs, though Big Ten play will ultimately determine how long this run can last.
5. USC Trojans
USC has been difficult to evaluate, experiencing notable highs and lows. They won the Maui Invitational, survived a triple-overtime thriller against Troy, and recently lost star guard Rodney Rice for the season. Despite the uncertainty, the Trojans remain talented and entertaining, setting up a rollercoaster stretch the rest of the way.