Around The Big Ten: Week 3
The Big Ten is becoming more competitive every week as six of its teams are in the AP top 25. The Michigan Wolverines currently sit at No. 9 in the nation after a 5-0 start to the season and a 19-point win over Providence, holding the Friars to just 28 percent shooting.
Michigan State is No. 11 in the nation after a 68-point win over Tennessee Tech. The Spartans held the Golden Eagles to just 29 percent from the field and allowed only one three-point make. The defensive effort Michigan State put forth combined with the 101-point scoring output should be a scary sight for future opponents.
Iowa, the No. 20 team in the nation, also enjoyed a 19-point victory over the UCONN Huskies Friday night. The Hawkeyes are preparing for a game against Alabama Wednesday night as they’ll try to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin make up the 23rd, 24th and 25th slots in the AP poll.
The Purdue Boilermakers are the only team out of those three with a loss so far this season. Despite a memorable rim-rocking dunk by Carsen Edwards, Purdue’s first loss came on Sunday against a No. 16 Virginia Tech team that shows no signs of slowing down.
After a 29-point win over South Carolina State Sunday, where five of its players scored in double figures, Ohio State can move to 5-0 on the season with a win over Samford Tuesday. The Buckeyes ought to take advantage of their schedule as they won’t face any notable opponents until Syracuse on Nov. 28.
The Wisconsin Badgers, led by Ethan Happ, ran over Houston Baptist 96-59 Saturday to improve to 3-0 on the season. Look for No. 25 Wisconsin to slowly work its way up the AP poll as the Badgers will face Stanford Wednesday afternoon.
Maryland deserves some attention as well with its 5-0 record to start off the season. None of those five wins have been remarkably impressive as they were against smaller programs, but if this team can come together and beat UVA on the 28th, the Terrapins could warrant major attention rather than just some.
Another Big Ten team to watch for is the Nebraska Cornhuskers as is could make its way into the top 25 after a key matchup with Texas Tech Tuesday night. Expect a high-pressure game for both sides in Kansas City since both teams are currently enjoying a 4-0 record.
Despite a strong start to the season for the Penn State Nittany Lions, the team has finally been feeling the absence of all-defensive center Mike Watkins as the fell to Depaul in a two-point overtime loss. If Watkins can get his off the court issues in check and get back onto the court for the Nittany Lions, the Big Ten will be in for even more tight competition as Penn State has shown a lot of budding young talent at the guard positions.
David Green is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email davidrgreen95@gmail.com.
