Big Ten in updated Coaches Poll, AP Top 25

Over the past several months, a handful of contenders have emerged as the Big Ten’s best hopes for its first men’s basketball national championship team since 2000.

The program that won that now-25-year-old title, Michigan State, is one of them, with a surprising 18-3 record. Purdue isn’t quite where it was last season with Zach Edey, but it’s not terribly far off with Braden Smith leading the way. Wisconsin, with a potent and shockingly fast-paced offense, is excelling. Newcomers Oregon and UCLA have turned heads. Few teams in the country are playing better than Maryland right now. And Michigan, behind a pair of versatile 7-footers, has impressed in its first season under Dusty May.

The past week included some notable results that shape both the conference and national landscape. Tom Izzo’s Spartans saw their 13-game win streak come to an end in a loss at USC. Maryland knocked off Wisconsin 76-58. UCLA blew out Oregon 78-52. Purdue held off archrival Indiana 81-76.