In an eventful week of Big Ten basketball, Purdue's backcourt players stole the show, securing crucial victories for their team. Braden Smith and Lance Jones showcased stellar performances, playing instrumental roles in Purdue's triumph over Northwestern and #6 ranked Wisconsin.

The standout performances from Smith and Jones left fans wondering if there could be co-players of the week in the Big Ten. However, the remarkable stat line of Zach Edey, who put up an impressive 48 points, 28 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals throughout the week, couldn't be overlooked.

Illinois managed to extend Nebraska's road woes after a hard-fought overtime battle. The return of Terrance Shannon gave the team a boost, and his presence on the court proved to make a significant difference. Surprisingly, Coleman Hawkins's lack of technical fouls raised some eyebrows among fans.

This was a challenging week for Wisconsin's Big Ten Title hopes, as they suffered losses to Nebraska and #2 ranked Purdue. Their defeat in a close game against Nebraska seemed to drain the Badgers, evident in their subsequent battle against Purdue. Fortunately for them, they won't be facing any top-7 ranked teams for the next two weeks.

Michigan State continued to impress, securing victories over Michigan and Maryland. The Spartans hold a commendable 5-1 record at home in conference play, but tougher challenges lie ahead as they face the Illinois teams and visit intimidating venues like Mackey and Bryce Jordan.

Nebraska staged a remarkable comeback against #6 ranked Wisconsin, reminiscent of their triumph from a year ago. CJ Wilcher played exceptionally well, leading his team to a hard-fought victory. However, the same couldn't be said for their game against Illinois, where Keisei Tominaga's efforts fell short.

Northwestern came agonizingly close to defeating Purdue twice this season, with a missed opportunity weighing heavily on their minds. Despite a draining game against Purdue, the Wildcats couldn't overcome the fatigue and suffered a loss against Minnesota. Head coach Chris Collins' on-court outburst earned him the "tantrum of the week" title.

Maryland leads the second group of Big Ten teams after experiencing a road defeat against Michigan State. The Terrapins' inconsistent performances throughout the season make it difficult to predict their strength on any given night. Minnesota's sole victory this week came against Northwestern, and their ability to replicate that success against Michigan State remains to be seen.

Penn State surprised many by securing two impressive road wins, defeating Rutgers and Indiana. The Nittany Lions showed their ability to compete against tough opponents, although they may not possess the talent to challenge the conference's top teams consistently.

Ohio State's struggles continued as they suffered losses against Indiana and Penn State. The Buckeyes, once considered a top-4 team at the beginning of the season, have fallen short of expectations. Their winless record of 0-6 on the road and lackluster performances do not bode well for their upcoming matches against formidable opponents.

Rutgers managed to secure a road win against Michigan, but the Wolverines' poor home record in conference play contributed to their downfall. With a mediocre 2-3 record at Jersey Mike's Arena, Rutgers has struggled to capitalize on home advantage this season.

Michigan's disappointment continued as they suffered losses against Penn State and Ohio State. The team's struggles have raised questions about the performance of head coach Juwan Howard, as they have managed to win only 7 games so far this season.

As the Big Ten conference season progresses, Purdue's backcourt duo stands out, commanding attention with their exceptional performances. With several teams battling for positioning, the race for the Big Ten Title remains wide open, promising more thrilling matchups in the weeks to come.