Big Ten basketball: Illinois, Northwestern both in top half of men's power rankings

No more Zach Edey, no more Purdue at the top of the national polls — or at the top of the Sun-Times’ annual Big Ten men’s basketball re-rankings.

It’s that time again, with the conference schedule beginning in earnest next week. The Boilermakers were No. 1 in the land as the calendar turned to 2023 and 2024, but they’re riding the struggle bus now and relative afterthoughts on our list.

Let’s take it from the top:

1. OREGON (11-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

What’s right: Back-to-back-to-back wins against Texas A&M, San Diego State and Alabama trumpeted this team’s arrival. Five players — including terrific sixth man Keeshawn Barthelemy — are scoring in double figures.

What’s wrong: Guard Jackson Shelstad, the straw meant to be stirring the drink, can’t buy a three-point bucket.

Best case: The Ducks have as good a chance as anybody to win the league.

2. MICHIGAN STATE (10-2, 2-0)

What’s right: Guess who has the best rebounding differential in the league? Yes, the Spartans. That sound you hear is Tom Izzo cackling with delight.

What’s wrong: A 28.7% make rate from three — tied for lowest in the league with Minnesota — is going to be a problem.

Best case: A team with an edge to it could do some things in March.

3. UCLA (10-2, 2-0)

What’s right: The best “D” in the league so far, plus the Bruins’ top two scorers are shooting better than 50% from the field? Serious building blocks.

What’s wrong: A minus-7.1 turnover differential is galling. A fatal flaw? We’ll see.

Best case: Getting back to the NCAA Tournament after going 16-17 last season would be good enough.

4. ILLINOIS (8-3, 1-1)

What’s right: Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis is a born closer, backcourt mate Kylan Boswell is tough as nails and the defense is locked in.

What’s wrong: There’s too much loose ball handling, and freshman Will Riley has to get more aggressive.

Best case: It’s a young team with a ton of talent. Get to the Big Dance and go from there.

5. MICHIGAN (9-3, 2-0)

What’s right: The Wolverines lead the league in field-goal percentage (51.1%) and field-goal percentage differential (plus-12.4%). That means they’re dangerous.

What’s wrong: Closing out tight games has been an obvious issue.

Best case: How does “Dusty May, Big Ten coach of the year” sound?

6. MARYLAND (10-2, 1-1)

What’s right: After several years in the offensive wilderness, the Terps have emerged as a team that can fill it up.

What’s wrong: The most productive player so far has been center Derik Queen, only a freshman — and this league can be rough on them.

Best case: If point guard Ja’Kobie Gillespie rises to his indispensable best, look out.

7. WISCONSIN (10-3, 0-2)

What’s right: John Tonje is an AJ Storr-level scorer who, unlike Storr, does it within the framework of the offense.

What’s wrong: A team with very good non-conference wins is in an early conference rut.

Best case: The Badgers have the pieces to get to the Big Dance.

8. PENN STATE (10-2, 1-1)

What’s right: Led by dazzling playmaker Ace Baldwin Jr., the Nittany Lions top all conference teams with 88.4 points per game.

What’s wrong: The non-conference schedule was cake. It gets much tougher from here.

Best case: An upper-half finish would signal encouraging progress under Mike Rhoades.

9. NORTHWESTERN (9-3, 1-1)

What’s right: Brooks Barnhizer, Nick Martinelli and Jaden Leach are completely underrated as a trio.

What’s wrong: Nothing aside from nonexistent three-point shooting and the razor-thin margin of error Chris Collins’ teams always play with.

Best case: A third straight tournament trip? It could happen.

10. PURDUE (8-4, 1-1)

What’s right: It’s an experienced group, Matt Painter remains elite and the uniform tops still say “Purdue.”

What’s wrong: Without Edey, the Boilermakers just haven’t held up against top competition.

Best case: The Boilers know winning too well for us to say they can’t finish first in the conference.

11. NEBRASKA (10-2, 1-1)

What’s right: You need a bucket? Brice Williams might be your best bet of anyone in the Big Ten to get it for you.

What’s wrong: Fewer than half the Huskers’ baskets have come with assists. That’s too much one-on-one.

Best case: Maybe Fred Hoiberg can push all the right buttons again, but it’ll be tough to match last year’s success.

12. OHIO STATE (8-4, 1-1)

What’s right: The Buckeyes are good enough to have blasted No. 4-ranked Kentucky by 20.

What’s wrong: The Buckeyes are bad enough to have gotten dump-trucked by No. 2 Auburn by 38.

Best case: Both Michigan State and Oregon visit in early January. Talk about an opportunity to get things going.

13. INDIANA (9-3, 1-1)

What’s right: The Hoosiers have all kinds of talent. They just don’t necessarily play like it.

What’s wrong: When the going has gotten tough, Mike Woodson’s team has disappeared.

Best case: It’s still a high-ceiling roster. Quality wins will come.

14. IOWA (9-3, 1-1)

What’s right: As always, the Hawkeyes can score and routinely shoot a high percentage.

What’s wrong: Nobody rebounds. Blocking out isn’t cool.

Best case: There isn’t much pressure on this group, so maybe it overachieves a little.

15. RUTGERS (7-5, 1-1)

What’s right: Haven’t you heard about one-and-dones Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey? They’re total lottery picks.

What’s wrong: Winning games seems to have been left out of the team-building equation.

Best case: It’ll probably come down to having to win the Big Ten tournament to get into the Dance.

16. USC (9-4, 1-1)

What’s right: LeBron James sometimes shows up. Check that, Bronny James doesn’t play here anymore.

What’s wrong: The closest thing to a good win was against Washington.

Best case: Making the Big Ten tournament (three teams will not) would be kind of nice.

17. WASHINGTON (8-4, 0-2)

What’s right: At least transfer Great Osobor can have fun counting his NIL money.

What’s wrong: Put it this way, the Huskies lost at home to Seattle U.

Best case: In a seven-game series against Seattle, the Huskies would still have a shot.

18. MINNESOTA (7-5, 0-2)

What’s right: Have you seen how hot the Vikings are?

What’s wrong: As crafty and skilled as Dawson Garcia is, he has little to no help.

Best case: Have we mentioned the Vikings?