With Big Ten play beginning this week, we can finally add a head-to-head element to these theoretical comparisons.
Everyone plays two league games over the next two weeks — one at home, one on the road. Those programs who have hidden from competition in the first month of the season must come out of hiding.
1. Purdue (7-1)
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Matt Painter’s confident predictions about Trey Kaufman-Renn starting to come true already.
‘Right place at the right time.’ Myles Colvin maturing into Purdue’s invaluable instigator
2. Oregon (8-0)
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What matters more: Needing overtime to beat Portland or beating Texas A&M and Alabama on a neutral court by any score? I’m leaning to the latter.
3. Illinois (6-1)
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What’s up with all these Canadians suddenly taking over the Big Ten? Illini freshman Will Riley’s the latest invader.
4. UCLA (6-1)
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Opponents are putting up Wooden-era scores — as in Johnny Wooden, at Martinsville High School — surpassing 50 only twice in seven games,
5. Wisconsin (8-0)
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Not saying it’s been consistently pretty, but the record remains spotless.
6. Ohio State (5-2)
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The good news about that one-point OT home loss to Pitt? It’s the last thing anyone in Columbus cares about right now.
7. Nebraska (6-1)
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Anyone checked with Fred Hoiberg on his pregame handshake policy?
8. Michigan State (6-2)
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Spartans are paying homage to Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Along Came Polly” from 3 right now — you know the .gif — but picked up big OT win over North Carolina anyway.
9. Michigan (6-1)
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Has combined with Wolverines football coach Sherrone Moore to go 4-0 against the state of Ohio this fall.
10. Maryland (7-1)
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Doesn’t really get to ease into Big Ten play this week. Plays host to Buckeyes before traveling to Mackey Arena.
11. Rutgers (5-3)
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Older Scarlet Knights need to pick it up soon. These fabulous freshmen may not stick around long.
12. Indiana (5-2)
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“Actually could you not Google me?” — Mike Woodson
Insider: Despite IU’s disastrous Bahamas trip, here are 5 reasons to still believe in this team
13. Penn State (7-1)
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Suffered first loss to Clemson in a matchup of football schools. Anyone up for a CFP rematch?
14. Iowa (6-1)
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Schedule should soon tell us if the Hawkeyes are Casey’s Pizza (only considered a delicacy in Iowa) or a real meal.
15. Northwestern (6-2)
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Biggest brains on a brainy campus needed to calculate how that ball sat on the rim against Butler — twice — without falling through.
16. Washington (6-1)
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Opens Big Ten competition Tuesday by playing UCLA for like the 200th time.
17. USC (5-3)
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Who would’ve thought the Trojans would so desperately miss Bronny James’ 4.8 points per game?
18. Minnesota (6-3)
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When you want a burger in Minneapolis, you gotta get a Juicy Lucy. Try either location of the Blue Door.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings: Purdue leads, Oregon rising
