Conference power rankings: Big Ten

6. Illinois. There are currently three undefeated teams in the Big Ten: The Indiana Hoosiers, the Michigan Wolverines and, you guessed it, the Illinois Fighting Illini. Who knew? John Groce has Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson and the unheralded leftovers from Bruce Weber's sad trombone sound of a 2012 season playing open, up-tempo, carefree basketball. They're spreading the floor, having fun and lo and behold making shots. It should be noted that 44.5 percent of the Illini's shots are 3s, and they are making 42.2 percent; that is probably not a sustainable shooting pace. But right now, you better believe Illini fans are loving it.

Eamonn Brennan