Player of the Week:
Zach Edey, Purdue
In a year where it seems like every top ranked team is getting upset, Purdue has arguably been the most consistent and dominant team. Zach Edey is the main reason behind that success. There is no Purdue without Edey, and he proved that in this week’s battle against MSU in East Lansing. Edey put up a 30-10 statline for the fourth time this year, leading the Boilermakers to a tough win in a tough environment. After Rutgers’ loss this week, it’s likely that Purdue will be the only ranked team left in the BIG10 after this week. Purdue is, in my opinion, the most complete team for March basketball. Having a 7’4 guy with mobility like Edey is something that will lead to a deep March run barring any major injuries. Edey is currently 4th in the nation in scoring and 2nd in rebounding, it doesn’t get much better than that for Purdue fans as their squad is off to the best start in school history.
Who’s Hot?
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes are getting back on track in the B10. A win over Indiana and four straight wins has propelled the Hawkeyes to 12-6 after a mediocre start. Kris Murray and company now own the 4th best overall record and the 3rd best conference record in the B10. Their game this week against Northwestern this past week was postponed and would’ve been an excellent game for the Hawkeyes to test their backcourt’s defense, however the Hawkeyes still have looked excellent in their last four. All quality wins against good B10 teams, yet the question remains: Can they sustain it? Iowa’s defense is certainly suspect and these four wins come directly after three straight losses. If Iowa can sustain an offensive game that makes up for their lack of elite defense, they can certainly continue their climb in the standings.
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
TJD is Indiana Basketball. Physical, old-school post game with some flashy passing and shooting here and there. Trayce has an elite post-up game and flashed that in a 35-point outing in a win over Illinois, their first regular season win over the Illini in 4 years. TJD, as stated in a previous blog, is the determining factor as to how far the Hoosiers can go this year; but he can’t do it alone. Indiana has looked poor in conference play, dropping four straight games before this week’s two straight wins. Even in those losses, TJD put up an average of 18.8 ppg, demonstrating how desperately he needs a scoring presence on the wings to step up in order to unlock Indiana’s offense. Hood-Schifino is an excellent scoring guard, but one more piece consistently playing well on the wings will turn Indy into a monster. Miller Kopp, a Northwestern transfer, was expected to step into that role but has yet to produce for the Hoosiers as well as he did for the Cats, if he can return to his sophomore year form the Hoosiers and TJD would benefit greatly. Jackson-Davis averaged 22.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg this week in the two wins this week.
Who’s Not?
Ohio State Buckeyes
Losers of 5 straight, the Buckeyes cold streak was capped off by a loss to a lowly Nebraska team on Wednesday. The most infuriating part for the Bucks is that every single one of their 5 straight losses have been by 4 points or less. Lots of Buckeye fans have been calling for Chris Holtmann’s job this past week, feeling as though OSU has this skid every year. They’re 1-5 in the new year after ending 2022 with a 8-3 record. To the fans’ credit, they may have a point: In each of the last four seasons, the Buckeyes have had a 5-game stretch where they lose at least 4 of those games. This stretch has come in conference play, in the new year every time. Luckily for Buckeyes fans, they have one of the best freshmen in the country; Brice Sensabaugh has scored 18 or more points on relatively efficient clips in each of the 5 losses and is the Buckeyes’ leading scorer. Hopefully Sensabaugh will continue his great play and the Buckeyes will end their skid.
Andrew Funk, Penn State Nittany Lions
The Lions have dropped three of their last four games. In those four games, star guard Jalen Pickett has been putting up his typically great numbers. Pickett was recently named third-team midseason all-American and is on a lot of watchlists for NPOY. It’s very clear now that Pickett needs help to win more games, and Andrew Funk has to be the guard that fills those shoes. Funk is an excellent shooter, both off the dribble and on spot-ups. Funk is like the Desmond Bane to Pickett’s Ja, a big-body wing shooter who can score capably and compliment a mid-range scoring penetrating guard. In their three losses, Funk averaged 9.3 ppg on 27.4% from the field. In their two most recent wins against Iowa and Indiana, Funk averaged 18 ppg on almost 60% shooting. Pickett is the catalyst, but Funk is the X-Factor. Penn State needs him to consistently score the ball efficiently to make their three-point barrage offense work efficiently.
Power Rankings
5: Northwestern Wildcats
This was a toss-up between the Cats and the Wisconsin Badgers. I ultimately am putting Northwestern ahead because of their resume this year and their ability to bounce back from losses. The last time they lost two in a row they rattled off five straight wins.
4: Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes are surging, they’ve won four in a row, and look a lot more comfortable playing as a unit compared to the start of the year. They finally seem to be adjusting to not having NPOY candidates like Keegan Murray or Luka Garza.
3: Michigan State Spartans
Tom Izzo and company are making their yearly resurgence after being counted out, they’ve also played the most ranked teams out of anyone in the B10. Great experience to build this squad towards March.
2: Rutgers
Despite a tough loss this week, Rutgers remains the most consistent team in the B10 outside of Purdue. I’m still very high on their guard talent combined with their defensive prowess.
1: Purdue
The best team in the country continues to dominate thoroughly and is off to the best start in school history.