(By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer) – Michigan State’s basketball team has always been considered among the Big Ten favorites this season, but the surprising start by coach Juwan Howard at Michigan has the Wolverines eyeing the top of the league standings.

Throw in Maryland, surprising starts by Ohio State and Indiana, and complete wild cards such as Iowa, and the Big Ten figures to be one of the most intriguing conference races in major college basketball.