Player of the Week:
Paul Mulcahy, G, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
It happened; the Purdue Boilermakers were finally beaten. Who else would beat them but the most underrated team in the entirety of the B10? Senior guard Paul Mulcahy played his best stretch of the year this week, which was crucial for the Scarlet Knights to take down the juggernaut that is Purdue. In their win over Purdue, Mulcahy lead the Knights in four major categories: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals. His scoring prowess throughout the game also allowed Cam Spencer to win the game for Rutgers. Mulcahy isolated with 18 seconds left in the game, calmly backed his defender down on the left wing, causing the near side defender to start to lean a little too far to the left wing, and then allowing Mulcahy to hit Johnson for a clean look after a pump fake that would have been more covered if the defense didn’t have to concern themselves with the guy who has the ball. Mulcahy averaged 14.7 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.7 rpg, and 2.7 spg in three consecutive wins this week.
Who’s Hot?
{Player: Jalen Pickett], G, Penn State Nittany Lions
I gave Jalen my player of the week award two weeks ago, I’ve also given him this spot numerous times, however I still don’t believe what he’s doing this year is getting as much attention as it deserves. Jalen Pickett is the entirety of the Lions’ offense, he is the generator, the main ball handler, the main scorer, and he does it all with an old school back-to-the-basket game that opens room for the plethora of shooters surrounding him. Pickett is putting up ridiculous numbers and playing almost 40 minutes a night in most games. Jalen Pickett’s Lions only went 1-1 this week. In their win, Pickett and Iowa star Kris Murray went blow for blow in a matchup we’ll likely see in the NBA one day soon. In their loss, Penn State turned the ball over 3 times as much as Michigan and lost by 10. Between both games, Pickett averaged 26 points, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds. He’s playing lights out and is only just now getting any sort of consistent scoring help, with Zach Lundy scoring in double figures for the 9th straight game against Michigan. Penn State matches up with a Purdue team Sunday that’s wonky right now and has almost dropped two in a row, don’t be surprised if Pickett forces it to be a close game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
It’s hard to explain how ridiculously underrated this team is. The Scarlet Knights play a swarming style of defense and sport excellent shot makers on the offensive end. They know how to get easy looks and they know how to make difficult ones. They forced Purdue to play uncomfortably and upset them for the second year in a row. Player of the week Paul Mulcahy led their offense in the second have to just squeak by Purdue. Rutgers also picked up a win on Thursday at home versus Maryland, giving them 5 straight wins and moving them to 3-1 in conference play. The Knights have lost 3 games all year, none by more than 6 points. They are without a doubt the most consistent team in the B10. You know what you’re getting from them every single game, solid shot making on offense and active, stumping defense. Expect Rutgers to be ranked this coming week.
Who’s Not?
Purdue Boilermakers
Although Purdue got a close win over a great Ohio State team, the Boilermakers finally had their weakness exposed: guard play. Zach Edey will give this team 18 and 10 on any given night, however Rutgers showed that forcing the Purdue guards into tough passes and quick decisions will create a lot of chaos within Purdue’s typically slow and ball movement-oriented offense. Their guards are great shooters, especially Fletcher Loyer who has continued to make clutch shots this year from outside the arc, however they lack a truly great playmaker, and this has affected them all year. Purdue needs to find a pick and roll tandem with Edey that will create better looks for their entire roster, rather than relying on cross court passes from the big guy or kick outs from double teams that leave shooters wide open. Purdue’s leading assist getter is only averaging 3.7 a game. The Boilermakers need to create easier offense outside of Edey, or else they might run out of steam.
Maryland Terrapins
Maryland got absolutely trampled by Michigan. The Terrapins had 13 points at the half in this game and were 4 of 30 from the field at halftime. Their shooting woes in this game reflect an ultimately inconsistent season from a guard heavy team that has had a tough time getting easy shots and making easy shots. Maryland has now lost 5 of their last 7 after starting the season off 8-0. They’re also 1-3 in conference play after suffering back-to-back losses to B10 opponents this week. The Terps simply need to find a better offensive rhythm, as they keep relying on outside creation that leads to nothing. The coaching needs to make significant changes to make this team somewhat competitive as the season trudges closer and closer to March.
B10 Power Rankings
5: Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is still an 11-3 team despite their loss to the Buckeyes this past weel. They’re 3-1 in conference play and {Player: Chase Audige] and {Player: Boo Buie] continue to make up a nuclear backcourt that can score with ease. Northwestern is what Maryland fans want to see out of their guard heavy roster: a perfect balance of playmaking and shot creation that leads to wins and other guys getting involved.
4: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers is skyrocketing up the polls and will 100% be ranked this week. They have yet to make a major blunder in their season and consistently win via tough defense. They may be the scariest team in the B10 to play due to their defense alone. Teams like Baylor 2 years ago show that elite level perimeter defense can easily carry teams through March. Their matchup at Northwestern on the 11th will be a game between two very underrated squads that must be watched by all B10 hoops enthusiasts.
3: Indiana Hoosiers
{Player: Trayce Jackson-Davis] is still trying to carry this roster as far as they can go, and he’s doing a great job. He had 30 in their recent loss to Iowa; however, this team has yet to unlock that next level they aspire to reach. Race Thompson’s injury will be something to keep an eye on, as when he was in the game the Hoosiers were up 21 but couldn’t maintain that lead after he exited. Mike Woodson and company will look to fill the gap he leaves in the coming weeks.
2: Wisconsin Badgers
Winners of 6 straight and leadings the B10 with a 3-0 conference record. The Badgers have turned themselves into a looming threat for Purdue, they play smart and when they lose, they keep it close. Their defense puts them in positions to win games and they grind away at teams mentally. There is no true star of this team, they play together and that’s a lot scarier than a team like Penn State or Purdue that primarily relies on one guy to carry the offensive load. Their game against Indiana on the 14th will be a great matchup to put a team like this against a guy like TJD.
1: Purdue Boilermakers
They’re still a top 5 team. They will figure their perimeter offense out and they will be a threat come March. There’s not much else to say except for two words: Zach Edey. Watch out for their game in Happy Valley against an electric Penn State team on Sunday.