Big Ten Hoops preview: Where things stand in the last week of 2022

The Big Ten Conference is going to change its name in 2023. There are 13 teams in the conference at this point. 3 teams are currently ranked in A.P. Top-25: Purdue, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The conference name was never changed after Penn State was added. In the comment section, let's hear your suggestions for a new conference names.

Purdue is the only undefeated team in the Big Ten and one of only 3 left in college basketball. Zach Edey is averaging over 22 points and close to 14 rebounds per game. Fletcher Loyer is their only other double-figure scorer.

The Wisconsin Badgers are 2-0 in conference play. They lost to Kansas in the non-conference. Wisconsin has a spread-out scoring with 4 players averaging at least 10 PPG and 7 playing at at minimum 15 minutes per game.

Northwestern is the next team to play MSU. Northwestern is 9-2 and has a 1-0 conference record. MSu does not get a chance for revenge this season unless they play each other in the BTT.

Ohio State is 8-3 and has lost to the 3 best teams on their schedule. They did beat Texas Tech, but they are barely in "others receiving votes" territory. Their reputation is quickly developing. I hope they play TCU in the CFP championship game. In the past 12 months they have had Juwan slapping an opposing coach in a handshake line, tunnel fights and now the most recent episode of Juans having to be restrained.

Rutgers has won one game so far this season. They have the best team defense in the conference, allowing opponents only 54.3 PPG. Their next game is against Purdue.

Indiana has one of the deepest teams in the conference with 9 players averaging over 13 minutes a game and 7 players over 20. Their best player is Trayce Jackson-Davis, who is leading them in points, rebounds, and blocks. Indiana has the best FG% in B1G, but they also are the team who fouled the opposition the most. MSU will have two chances this year to see if they can follow that game plan.

Maryland started the season with 8 straight wins, all but one on their home court. They then suffered 3 losses in a row against tougher competition. The team is without an identifiable alpha player.

Penn State has already beaten Illinois and MSU. Senior guard Jalen Pickett leads the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

Iowa has the highest scoring average in the conference, putting up 83.8 points per game. They also give up the second highest amount of points, only um allowing more. Kris Murray is their star player, averaging a 19/10 double-double. Patrick McCaffrey and Filip Rebraca are their other main scorers.

Illinois has the best two-win combo of any B1G team. They beat UCLA and Texas in their non-conference. Illinois plays Michigan State once this season in East Lansing.

Nebraska is 0-2 in conference play. They have the conference's worst 3-point shooting and second worst FT percentage. Their coach's son used to play for Coach Izzo.

Minnesota is 6-6 overall and the only team not over .500 in the Big Ten. MSU plays the Gophers once this season. If MSu can repeat their performances against Gonzaga and Kentucky, they could split the two games against the Golden Gopher.