This week in Big Ten basketball was fairly mild upset-wise and the chaos was set to a slight minimum. But the storylines are still everywhere. Teams are looking toward a title, teams are charging toward the bubble and a few others are looking to keep their conference tournament hopes alive. Let's run it!
Inconsistencies plague Bucks and Ducks
The Oregon Ducks lead the Big Ten and only trail Auburn nationally in Quad 1 wins with eight. However, the Ducks have lost four of their last five including losses at Minnesota, UCLA and then Nebraska at home.
Oregon arguably has one of the best offenses in the country, scoring 76 points per game, but the defense remains inconsistent, in those losses, giving up 25+ points to both Brice Williams who had 28 and Dawson Garcia who had 31. It will be a big week for Oregon coming up as it will have a Mitten State double header, with the Wolverines and Spartans.
The first entry in this series was all about how Ohio State was going to turn heads this season. The Buckeyes took a couple months off after two nice ranked wins to wind down in 2024, then came back to life, rattling off three impressive conference wins off, including a win at Mackey Arena.
But Sunday, Ohio State played a solid first half at Illinois, which would’ve boosted its resumé even more. Leading by as many as 11 in the second half, Ohio State squandered it, even with 29 points from Devin Royal and 20 each from John Mobley Jr. and Bruce Thornton.
It looks like this is just going to be the billing for Ohio State this season — inconsistency will be its driving for them to hopefully limp across the bubble.
Nebraska is raising some eyebrows. Brice Williams is putting together a great campaign
We talked about Nebraska a couple of months ago after their Creighton victory. Now, as we are a good couple weeks into 2025, we know what this Nebraska team is going to give us. Brice Williams is going to take your team over.
In the last two games for the Huskers, Williams had 27 against Illinois and 28 against Oregon, carrying his team to two ranked wins.
Nebraska now has wins over Creighton, UCLA, Oregon and Illinois. Where this gets interesting for the rest of the conference, Nebraska could creep up into the Thursday line in the Big Ten Tournament bracket and get another berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Huskers two remaining ranked matchups are against Maryland and Michigan, in Lincoln. After that, more like opponents.
Another feel good story from this team, separate to Williams is Connor Essegian. Essegian was left out to dry after his freshman year in Madison, getting a significant minute(s) reduction. Essegian now averages 11 points per game and is an integral role for Fred Hoiberg’s squad.
Owen Freeman and Brooks Barnheizer out indefinitely with season-ending injuries
This is not what we want to see. Northwestern’s second leading scorer Brooks Barnheizer and Iowa’s leading scorer Owen Freeman have had their seasons come to an end early due to injury. Foot and finger injuries, respectively, cut the seasons short.
Northwestern head coach Chris Collins went viral after he commented on Barnheizer’s injury. Truly heartbreaking, as his college career is over.
Quick Hitters
Tre Donaldson saves Michigan’s season, Wolverines have 2-0 week
Indiana gives everything it has, falls victim to Smith and Boilers
Indiana and Purdue squared off in a massive rivalry game on Friday. In a truly amazing game of college basketball, the Hoosiers came up just short. Purdue’s big three of Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufman-Renn were unstoppable, boasting 52 combined points.
Indiana had a chance to win, but yet again Mike Woodson threw out a head scratching play call.
Indiana was in that game for all 40 minutes and arguably played some of its best basketball, given the leverage. How will the Hoosiers respond?
Games to watch Feb. 3-Feb. 9
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Indiana @ No. 21 Wisconsin, 9 p.m., Peacock
No. 9 Michigan State @ UCLA, 10 p.m., Peacock
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Oregon @ No. 24 Michigan, 6:30 p.m., BTN
No. 23 Illinois @ Rutgers, 8:30 p.m., BTN
Thursday, Feb. 6
No. 18 Maryland @ Ohio State, 7:00 p.m., FS1
Friday, Feb 7
USC @ No. 7 Purdue, 7 p.m., FS1
Saturday, Feb 8
Oregon vs. No. 9 Michigan State, noon, FOX
No. 24 Michigan @ Indiana, 1 p.m., CBS
No. 23 Illinois @ Minnesota, 6 p.m., BTN
Sunday, Feb. 9
Rutgers vs. No. 18 Maryland, noon, BTN
Team of the Week
Tre Donaldson (UM)
Ace Bailey (RU)
Brice Williams (NEB)
Braden Smith (PUR)
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (ILL)
Freshman of the Week
Ace Bailey (RU)
Power Rankings
1. Purdue
2. Michigan State
3. Maryland
4. Michigan
5. Wisconsin
6. UCLA
7. USC
8. Illinois
9. Nebraska
10. Oregon
11. Indiana
12. Ohio State
13. Iowa
14. Rutgers
15. Penn State
16. Northwestern
17. Minnesota
18. Washington
