The Big Ten is loaded with top college basketball teams and players this year, which means that the Indiana Hoosiers will have their hands full this season. IU has nine conference games against opponents who are currently ranked. Butler, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Northwestern are not currently in the top 25 but will challenge the Hoosiers in an attempt to knock off the current number one team in the country. Here are the seven toughest matchups remaining on Indiana’s schedule:
7. Rotnei Clarke-Butler-Guard-Senior
On December 15, Indiana faces Butler in the Boston Scientific Close the Gap Crossroads Classic at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Rotnei Clarke is in his first season at Butler after transferring from Arkansas after three years as a Razorback. The senior is Butler’s leading scorer with 18.5 points per game. He is lights out shooter, connecting on 45 percent of his shot attempts and is just as good from behind the arc. Clarke has the clutch gene too. He hit a game-winning three pointer against Marquette in the Maui Invitational, which allowed the Bulldogs to upset North Carolina in the next round of the tournament.
6. Aaron Craft-Ohio State-Guard-Junior
Craft is one of the toughest defenders in the country and has developed an offensive game to make him a tough matchup on both ends of the court. He has improved his three-point shooting percentage by six percent from last season. The Ohio State point guard can do a little bit of everything. He averages 13.6 points, 4.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. The Findlay, Ohio native takes excellent care of the basketball and has an assist to turnover ratio of nearly 4:1.
5. Keith Appling-Michigan State-Guard-Junior
Even though Michigan State has lost two games already this season, they remain a dangerous team in large part because of Appling’s offensive ability. The junior is shooting 47 percent from the field, 42 percent from behind the three-point line, and is an 85 percent free throw shooter through seven games this season. He was a major reason why the Spartans knocked off then-No. 7 Kansas in the first week of the college basketball season. Appling scored 19 points on only nine shots and made all of his three-point and free throw attempts.
4. Brandon Paul-Illinois-Guard-Senior
Brandon Paul has proven time and time again that he is an incredibly dangerous scorer if he gets in a groove. He dropped 43 points on Ohio State last season on 8-10 shooting from behind the arc. The senior’s 18.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists lead the Fighting Illini in those categories. He is shooting 48 percent this season and has been a big time contributor for an 8-0 Illinois squad.
3. Trey Burke-Michigan-Guard-Sophomore
Burke was named a preseason All-American by the Associated Press and has lived up to the hype thus far. He is a leader on a Michigan team that has the fourth best shooting percentage in the nation. The Wolverine guard is averaging 16.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game and has Michigan ranked third in the country.
2. Tim Hardaway Jr.-Michigan-Guard-Junior
The 6′ 6″ junior has been lights out shooting the ball for Michigan this season. He has connected on nearly 57 percent of his shot attempts. Tim Hardaway Jr. is the leading scorer, at 17.8 points per game, and second leading rebounder for the Wolverines. He has scored in double figures in all six of Michigan’s games and has scored at least 23 points twice this season.
1. Deshaun Thomas-Ohio State-Forward-Junior
Deshaun Thomas, an Associated Press preseason All-American, is an electrifying scorer. He is averaging 22.4 points per game, which is the eleventh highest average in Division I college basketball. The forward is making 52 percent of his shot attempts this season and nearly half of his three-pointers. He is automatic from the free throw line and is the leading rebounder for the Buckeyes.
Andy Wittry 