By: Michael Rothstein (AnnArbor.com) -

At some point this season, it is possible Ohio State will move off the top line in the AnnArbor.com Big Ten basketball power rankings.

It just seems unlikely it’ll happen before Big Ten play starts. The Buckeyes have been one of the more dominant teams in the country and are led by super-freshman Jared Sullinger, who was last week’s Big Ten Player and Rookie of the Week.

Already, Sullinger is compared to Ohio State’s last dominant big man, Greg Oden.

“(Jared’s) a little more polished around the basket,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. “Where Greg was so dominant defensively.”

As always, these power rankings reflect how a team is playing now, not necessarily how it will finish the season.

1) Ohio State (8-0, 1): The Buckeyes added a couple of wins this week against inferior opponents, but there are challenges ahead. South Carolina looms on Dec. 18 and Oakland, which almost beat Michigan State and knocked off No. 7 Tennessee last night, 89-82, goes to Columbus on Dec. 23. If there is any question about the Buckeyes, though, freshman Jared Sullinger might have answered it by scoring 40 points against IUPUI in a 75-64 win on Dec. 9.

2) Illinois (10-1, 2): The Illini struggled more than expected against Oakland after using a women’s basketball for the first 10 minutes of their 74-63 win over the Grizzlies. They also led by double digits for most of the way against Northern Colorado. Bruce Weber should be happy with the way Illinois is passing the ball (17.5 assists a game) and shooting from the field (48.6 percent).

3) Minnesota (9-1, 3): The Gophers are considered by some coaches - including Northwestern’s Bill Carmody - as the surprise of the Big Ten this season. With the emergence of forward Trevor Mbakwe (13.8 ppg., 10.2 rpg.) and playing well despite an injury to point guard Al Nolen, the Gophers are establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the league.

4) Purdue (9-1, 5): After looking lost without Robbie Hummel the first few weeks of the season, the Boilermakers continue to find themselves. They blew out North Florida, 77-57, behind 25 points from JaJuan Johnson. Although better-than-expected IPFW could be a test on Dec. 21, Purdue’s next tough game is at Michigan in the Big Ten opener on Dec. 28.

5) Michigan State (7-3, 4): Tom Izzo’s crew didn’t lose this week - although the Spartans……

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