First 2024 Big Ten men's basketball power poll
Big Ten men's basketball power rankings: Where are Gophers as conference play resumes?
Purdue is still on top, but Ohio State is the Big Ten's most improved team with teams such as the Gophers on the rise.
January 2, 2024 at 4:47PM
1. Purdue (12-1, 1-1 in the Big Ten) — Big Ten's most dominant player is Zach Edey again, but the Boilermaker backcourt is likely key to repeating as league champions.
2. Illinois (10-2, 1-0) — Leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr.'s legal situation looms as a huge dark cloud over a strong start for the Illini with a top 10 national ranking.
3. Ohio State (11-2, 1-1) — The Buckeyes are the most improved team in the Big Ten behind the trio of Roddy Gayle Jr., Bruce Thornton and ex-Gopher Jamison Battle.
4. Wisconsin (9-3, 1-0) — The Badgers had arguably the toughest nonconference schedule outside of Purdue, but they still managed to get wins against Marquette and Virginia.
5. Indiana (10-3, 2-0) — The Hoosiers will go as far as their frontcourt of Kel'el Ware and Malik Reneau can take them. They've combined to average 31 points and 14 rebounds.
6. Northwestern (10-2, 1-0) — The Wildcats were the first team to beat mighty Purdue, but they're not just a one-hit wonder led by guard Boo Buie.
7. Michigan State (8-5, 0-2) — A 4-5 record to start was Tom Izzo's worst since his debut season in 1995-96, but the Spartans are talented enough to turn things around.
8. Maryland (9-4, 1-1) — The Terps turned things around after a disappointing start with help from Jahmir Young, who had 37 points in a win vs. UCLA last month.
9. Gophers (10-3, 1-1) — Dawson Garcia is back healthy, but Ben Johnson also seemed to improve the team's other players a great deal in Garcia's absence.
10. Nebraska (11-2, 1-1) — The Huskers would be higher after nice wins vs. Michigan State and Kansas State, but they fell at Minnesota when Garcia was hurt.
11. Iowa (8-5, 0-2) — Hawkeyes could be better than their record shows with all five losses to Power Five opponents, including four away from home.
12. Rutgers (8-4, 0-1) — Scarlet Knights have the Big Ten's best recruiting class for next year, but they're still hoping to get back on track before then.
13. Michigan (6-7, 1-1) — Juwan Howard's back on the sidelines after recovering from heart surgery, but the Wolverines dropped below .500 after falling to McNeese State.
14. Penn State (7-6, 1-1) — The Nittany Lions showed some signs of life by ending a five-game losing streak last month with a win vs. Ohio State at home.
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