In 49 states, it’s just a game. In the state of Indiana, we need our own power rankings. Every week we’ll help settle the ongoing debate regarding who are the best of the ten Division One college basketball teams in the basketball crazed state of Indiana.
We are now two months into the men’s college basketball season, and we have much more clarity on the teams that are contenders and pretenders in the Hoosier state.
Here are the state of Indiana NCAA Division One men’s college basketball power rankings two months into the season.
Let the debate begin.
Current Indiana teams (seeding) in Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology: Indiana (5), Purdue (7), Fort Wayne (16).
1. Indiana Hoosiers (B1G) (12-3, 3-1) – Far from perfect and far from healthy, the potential to improve is there. The three losses came on the road at Duke, Michigan and Arkansas. Those aren’t bad losses, but several tough Big Ten road tests are upcoming.
2. Purdue Boilermakers (B1G) (9-5, 2-1) – With wins over Iowa and Maryland, the Boilers have proven that they can beat good teams at home — but can they win on the road in league play? Michigan State in East Lansing looms.
3. Butler Bulldogs (Big East) (10-5, 1-1) – It has been a choppy season so far for the Bulldogs. A 30 point loss to a Florida team that they beat weeks earlier leaves you scratching your head. A down Big East leaves an opportunity to right the ship. They are currently part of the “first four out” in Lundardi’s bracketology.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (ACC) (10-5, 0-2) – This is shaping up as a rebuilding season in South Bend. Notre Dame has been struggling and the ACC will be its usual brutal self.
5. Ball State Cardinals (MAC) (10-4, 1-0) – Winners of 8 of 9, the Cardinals have their eyes on the No. 4 spot here. Staying on top in the MAC West will likely do just that.
6. Valparaiso Crusaders (MVC) (9-6, 2-0) – A strong start in league play has things looking up for the Crusaders. A tough road game at Loyola Chicago next week should tell us whether they are ready to challenge for an MVC title.
7. Indiana State Sycamores (MVC) (9-5, 1-1) – The Sycamores followed up big December wins over Colorado and UNLV with a 35 point road loss to Loyola Chicago. ISU has a chance to be really good with transfers Christian Williams and Cooper Neese now up and running, but that loss leaves some doubt.
8. Fort Wayne Mastodons (Summit) (11-7, 3-0) – A great start in league play has the Mastodons out in front of the Summit. Winners of five in a row, a showdown with conference co-leader Oral Roberts is next.
9. Evansville Purple Aces (MVC) (7-8, 1-1) – The Aces have been good at home, but it has been a different story outside the friendly confines. Walter McCarty seems to have things headed in the right direction, but it may take a while.
10. IUPUI Jaguars (Horizon) (9-7, 1-2)- The Jags are clearly improved this year, but they still have a long way to go. IUPUI was able to snap a four game losing streak last week, and has a chance to reel off a couple more wins with home games against Horizon bottom feeders.
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