Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 1/30/23

Power Rankings

14) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last week, the Gophers lost to Indiana at home on Wednesday and fell on Saturday to Northwestern. This loss to Northwestern was especially devastating, losing 81-61. The team is now at 7-13 overall and 1-9 in Big Ten play. Gopher fans hope that the team can return to form against Rutgers at home on Wednesday and Maryland on Saturday, but I hope they don’t hold their breath for it.

Indiana at Minnesota | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 25, 2023

13) Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska lost two more games last week; they fell at home against Northwestern on Wednesday and at Maryland on Saturday. Nebraska is now at 10-12 overall and 3-8 in Big Ten play. Nebraska will look to rebound this week against Illinois on Tuesday and Penn State at home on Sunday.

Northwestern vs Nebraska Basketball Game Highlights 1 25 2023

12) Michigan Wolverines

Another tough week for the Wolverines, as they lost to Purdue at home on Thursday and Penn State away on Sunday. It was incredibly disappointing to lose by 22 points to the Nittany Lions in a game that wasn’t close. Michigan is now at 11-10 overall and 5-5 in Big Ten play. Five of the team’s seven previous games have been lost. Juwan Howard is now on the hot seat, at least he should be.

Purdue defeats Michigan 75-70 | Highlights

11) Wisconsin Badgers

The badgers suffered a tough week. They lost on Monday to Northwestern, on Wednesday at Maryland, and by double-digits against Illinois at home on Saturday. These three losses have left Wisconsin at 12-8 overall and 4-6 in Big Ten play. After an impressive start, the wheels are falling off in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin at Maryland | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 25, 2023

10) Ohio State Buckeyes

This week, both of the Buckeyes’ games were losses as the Buckeyes fell on the road against Illinois and Indiana, respectively. Although many believed the Buckeyes would be able to hold their own, the team lost by 16 points in the second defeat. Ohio State is now at 11-10 overall and 3-7 in Big Ten play. This bottom five in the Big ten could be in almost any order, as these five teams are playing that badly right now.

Ohio State at Illinois | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 24, 2023

9) Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions split their games this week. They lost on Tuesday against Rutgers and won at home against Michigan on Sunday. Penn State improved to 14-7 overall, 5-5 in Big Ten play with the win over the Wolverines. Penn State dominated the Wolverines and will probably be on the NCAA bubble the rest of the season.

Michigan vs Penn State Basketball Game Highlights 1 29 2023

8) Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes split their games this week. They lost to Michigan State on Thursday but bounced back on Sunday with a win against Rutgers at home. It was notable for the Hawkeyes as it represented a sweep of the season for Iowa and added another win to their resume. Iowa is now at 13-8 overall and 5-5 in Big Ten play. The hawkeyes are in decent shape to make the tournament, but work is still left to be done.

Rutgers at Iowa | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 29, 2023

7) Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans split their games with Iowa on Thursday and Purdue on Sunday this week. The results were essentially what you would expect from looking at the schedule before the game. Michigan State played as expected, which is not surprising considering your preconceived notions about this group. They are a solid team but nothing else.

Iowa vs Michigan State Basketball Game Highlights 1 26 2023

6) Maryland Terrapins

The Terps won two games this week on Wednesday and Nebraska on Saturday. Maryland needed crucial wins to stay on the right side in the NCAA situation. Maryland is now sitting at 14-7 overall and 5-5 in Big Ten play. Jahmir Young continues dominating Maryland’s usage.

Nebraska at Maryland | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 28, 2023

5) Northwestern Wildcats

The Wildcats scored two more wins this week: Nebraska was defeated on Wednesday, and Minnesota was defeated at home on Saturday. These two wins helped Northwestern move up to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play. Both games were decided in double digits. The Wildcats are quietly building a nice season.

Northwestern vs Nebraska Basketball Game Highlights 1 25 2023

4) Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The week for the Scarlet Knights was mixed. They beat Penn State at home Tuesday and lost on Sunday to Iowa. Rutgers lost to Iowa for the second time this season. After a terrific start to the season, the Scarlet Knights are just 3-3 in their last six games.

Penn State vs Rutgers Basketball Game Highlights 1 24 2023

3) Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini won both of their team’s games this week, beating Ohio State on Tuesday at home and Wisconsin on Saturday on the road. The games featured some ugly moments, but Illinois won both. That is all that matters right now. The team moved to 15-6 overall and 6-4 in Big Ten play.

Illinois vs Wisconsin Basketball Game Highlights 1 28 2023

2) Indiana Hoosiers

Any proper power ranking has to have the Hoosiers ranked at number two. This week’s performance was another strong one for the Hoosiers, who beat Minnesota on Wednesday and Ohio State at home on Saturday. It was especially impressive that Indiana won by 16 points over the Buckeyes in what ended up being a one-sided matchup. The team is now at 15-6 overall and 6-4 in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers look to be the only team left to mount a challenge to Purdue to win the regular season league championship.

Ohio State at Indiana | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 28, 2023

1) Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers had another impressive week of play, knocking off Michigan on the road on Thursday night and following it with a dominant win over Michigan State at home on Sunday afternoon. The two wins pushed Purdue to 21-1 overall and 10-1 in Big Ten play. It’s easily the program’s best start in years and is setting up to be a banner year. After all, Purdue will likely be the unanimous (or close to it) No. 1 team on Monday in the polls.

Michigan State at Purdue | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 29, 2023