As the calendar flips to December and Big Ten play tips off, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of who’s who in one of the country’s most competitive conferences. At the top, Purdue, Michigan, and Michigan State have separated themselves from the pack.
Below them? A cluster of teams with NCAA Tournament potential - and then a steep drop-off.
Let’s break it down, team by team, as the early-season dust settles and the real grind begins.
1. Purdue (7-0)
No change here, and for good reason. Purdue has looked every bit the part of a top contender.
The Boilermakers haven’t just won - they’ve handled business with the kind of consistency you want to see from a team with Final Four aspirations. Their next big test comes against Iowa State in West Lafayette, a matchup that should give us a better read on just how dominant this group can be.
2. Michigan (7-0)
The Wolverines are making a serious case for the top spot. Their performance in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving was nothing short of commanding.
The analytics back it up, too - KenPom sees this as a 1A/1B situation with Purdue. If Michigan keeps this up, we could be looking at a heavyweight title fight at the top of the Big Ten all season long.
3. Michigan State (7-0)
It feels harsh to drop the Spartans after a strong start, but that’s how good Michigan looked. Tom Izzo’s squad has already logged three top-40 KenPom wins, two of which came on neutral floors.
That kind of early résumé is nothing to sneeze at. Michigan State is still very much in the mix for a Big Ten title.
4. Indiana (7-0)
Darian DeVries has the Hoosiers humming. A convincing win over Kansas State showcased their defensive chops, holding the Wildcats in check offensively.
Now comes the real test: a stretch of four straight high-major opponents, including road and neutral-site matchups against Kentucky and Louisville. We’ll know a lot more about Indiana by mid-December.
5. Iowa (7-0)
Ben McCollum’s group is starting to turn heads. Wins over Ole Miss and Xavier have boosted their profile, and the numbers are strong - top-30 in adjusted efficiency on both ends of the floor.
That’s a recipe for staying power in a deep league. The Hawkeyes are trending in the right direction.
6. Illinois (6-2)
The Illini drop a couple spots, but not because of bad losses. Falling to Alabama in Chicago and UConn in New York isn’t cause for alarm.
What is worth watching? The 3-point shooting.
If Illinois can’t find consistency from deep, it could limit their ceiling in conference play.
7. USC (7-0)
The Trojans needed triple overtime to get past Troy at home - not ideal - but they followed it up by winning the Maui Invitational. That’s a big statement.
USC looks more prepared for the Big Ten grind this time around, and their early results back that up.
8. Nebraska (8-0)
The Huskers are off to a perfect start and have picked up two top-100 KenPom wins along the way. While it’s still early and the rankings are fluid, Nebraska has earned this bump.
They’re playing clean, efficient basketball, and that’s more than some teams behind them can say.
9. Wisconsin (5-2)
Here’s where things start to get shaky. The Badgers got blown out by BYU and then lost to TCU on a neutral floor.
Defensively, they’ve been leaky over the past couple weeks. Greg Gard will need to tighten things up quickly with Big Ten play underway.
10. Ohio State (6-1)
The Buckeyes hold steady. A road loss to Pitt isn’t ideal, but it’s not a disaster either.
The real measuring stick games are coming - Illinois and North Carolina await before Christmas. Those matchups will tell us whether this team is ready to climb the ladder.
11. UCLA (5-2)
The Bruins have yet to beat a team ranked in the KenPom top 200. That’s a problem.
The loss to Cal might not age poorly if the Bears are actually decent this year, but the overall lack of quality wins is holding UCLA back. There’s talent here - now it’s about proving it.
12. Northwestern (5-2)
Chris Collins’ squad missed out on a couple of resume-building wins, dropping close games to Virginia and Oklahoma State. That stings.
The Wildcats are competitive, but they’ll need to start cashing in on these opportunities if they want to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation.
13. Washington (5-2)
At this point in the rankings, the computers are doing most of the work - and that’s probably for the best. Washington hasn’t done much to stand out, and their early résumé reflects that.
The Huskies will need to string together some quality wins to rise above the middle muddle.
14. Oregon (4-3)
Vegas was unkind to the Ducks. Losses to Auburn, San Diego State, and Creighton - all by double digits - exposed some serious flaws.
Oregon has talent, but they’ve yet to show they can compete with top-tier competition. That’s a concern moving into conference play.
15. Maryland (5-3)
Same story, different team. Maryland beat UNLV, but got hammered by Gonzaga (39 points) and Alabama (33 points).
That’s a tough look. The Terps will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid getting buried in the Big Ten standings.
16. Penn State (7-1)
The Nittany Lions have the record - but not the résumé. Their lone loss came to a middling Providence team on a neutral court, and they haven’t beaten anyone of note.
The wins are nice, but we need to see more substance before buying in.
17. Minnesota (4-4)
Only the algorithm could lift Minnesota out of the basement this week. The Gophers have struggled, and the schedule doesn’t get easier - they open Big Ten play with Indiana at home, then travel to face Purdue.
That’s a brutal start.
18. Rutgers (5-3)
It’s been a rough go for the Scarlet Knights. A heavy loss to Tennessee, a narrow defeat to Notre Dame, and a win over UNLV paint a mixed picture.
But the most alarming result? A 13-point home loss to Central Connecticut State, ranked No. 239 in KenPom.
That’s the kind of loss that sticks with you - and not in a good way.
As Big Ten play begins, the top of the league looks as strong as ever, with three unbeaten powerhouses leading the charge. But the middle and bottom tiers are still sorting themselves out - and for some teams, the margin for error is already shrinking. December will be telling.