The Big Ten holds six spots in the Coaches Poll at the end of nonconference play, including number one. The three other teams that received votes in Week 9, and those on the outside looking in, will need to take down some of the best teams in the country to shake up the conference standings.

No. 1 Michigan dominates difficult schedule

Michigan (12-0) ranked No. 7 in the preseason Coaches Poll, with a lower-end national title case bolstered by second-year head coach Dusty May’s seamless transition to a Sweet 16 appearance in year one and the addition of Naismith Player of the Year candidate Yaxel Lendeborg, who transferred from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Knocks against the Wolverines, like the loss of their top three scorers from last season and questions about the supporting cast around Lendeborg haven’t left a mark as Michigan steamrolled the sixth-toughest strength of schedule in the nation.

The Wolverines are headlined by an offense that ranks third in points per game with 96.8 and has scored in the triple digits seven times so far. Lendeborg has led the charge, averaging 15.7 points per game while he and four other rotational players have shot over 40% from three. Michigan’s team defense has cemented the Wolverines as a national title favorite, holding opponents to the second-lowest field goal percentage in the country at 34.6%.

Preseason No. 1 Purdue remains a contender despite stumble

Purdue (12-1) dropped to No. 6 in the Week 9 Coaches Poll due to an 81-58 home loss to No. 10 Iowa State University. Still, the Boilermakers have proven themselves as one of the deepest starting lineups in the nation, with four players averaging double digit points per game and six having led the team in scoring. National Player of the Year candidate Braden Smith has performed as expected, posting a nation-leading 9.5 assists per game along with 12.5 points. Despite the loss, Purdue has proven itself against ranked opponents, taking down No. 8 University of Alabama, No. 15 Texas Tech University and No. 21 Auburn University.

No. 9 Michigan State retains momentum from Elite 8 run

The 2024-25 season represented a resurgence for head coach Tom Izzo, as Michigan State advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019. The Spartans are off to an even better start this season, cruising through nonconference play 12-1 with ranked wins over No. 14 University of Arkansas, No. 12 University of Kentucky and No. 16 University of North Carolina. Forward Jaxon Kohler leads the Spartans on both ends of the floor, averaging 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. A 66-60 home loss to No. 4 Duke has slowed Michigan State’s rise from its preseason No. 21 ranking, but the Spartans look like a contender for the first time in the 2020s.

No. 13 Nebraska blows past preseason expectations

The Cornhuskers have proven both the AP voters and coaches wrong, starting 12-0 after not receiving a vote in ei- ther preseason poll. Nebraska legitimized its early run with a ranked win over No. 13 Illinois in its first opportunity on Dec. 13. Graduate student Rienk Mast is having a breakout this season, leading the Cornhuskers with 17 points per game, followed by Iowa transfer Pryce Sandfort averaging 16.3. Head coach Fred Hoiberg has a strong opportunity to lead Nebraska past the first round for the first time in his seven-year tenure.

No. 19 Illinois struggles in ranked matchups despite deep lineup

Illinois (10-3) enters Big Ten play with a lot to prove after going 2-3 against ranked opponents through the 20th-hardest strength of schedule in the nation. The Illini have lived up to their No. 17 preseason ranking, with five players averaging double-digit points. Freshman Keaton Wagler leads the team, averaging 15.3 points while Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic and senior Kylan Boswell have added 14.8 and 14.7, respectively. Illinois has the talent to compete with the best teams in the conference, and head coach Brad Underwood will be able to lean on his team’s experience as the season goes on.

First-year head coach leads No. 23 Iowa into top 25

First-year head coach Ben McCollum has Iowa off to an 11-2 start and a top-25 placement in the Coaches Poll after receiving only three votes pre-season. McCollum is coming off an excellent season at Drake University, in which he led the Bulldogs to a 31-4 record and an upset win over the sixth-seeded University of Missouri in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Drake star Bennett Stirtz followed McCollum to Iowa and has carried the Hawkeyes’ offense in non-conference play, averaging 17.1 points per game. Iowa’s defense ranks fourth in the nation in points per game, allowing just 60.1, but a light schedule and losses to No. 7 Michigan State and No. 4 Iowa State University leave it in a vulnerable position going into Big Ten play