Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 2/20/23

The latest power rankings

The Big Ten has become a tight competitive race as the Purdue Boilermakers have lost three of their last five games. Northwestern is hot on their heels and is playing as well as anybody in the Big Ten. The Indiana Hoosiers will get another shot at Purdue on Saturday, which promises to be the game of the year in the Big Ten. Teams like Penn State and Michigan are fighting for their March Madness lives as Wisconsin stands on its last legs.

14) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota lost to Penn State in the lone game of this week for the Gophers. The Golden Gophers are now down nine in a row and will struggle to win any more league games this year.

Penn State at Minnesota | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 18, 2023

13) Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes lost two more games this week to increase their losing streak to 8. Ohio State appears dead in the water, losing by an average of 21 points per game. If they don’t watch out, they could find themselves in last before this is all said and done.

Ohio State vs Iowa Basketball Game Highlights 2 16 2023

12) Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers had another difficult week. They won a close game against Michigan but lost at home to Rutgers Saturday. Wisconsin is on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament. They must win in the last two weeks to be eligible for the big dance. The way it looks for the Badgers right now is that they will be in the NIT at season’s end.

Michigan vs Wisconsin Basketball Game Highlights 2 14 2023

11) Michigan Wolverines

In the game’s final minutes, Michigan beat the Spartans to get a must-win. With Saturday’s win over Michigan State, the Wolverines ended a two-game losing streak and still have a chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines have three NBA draft picks on their team and should be talent-wise at the top of these rankings. This all falls on Coach Juwan Howard’s inability to coach.

Michigan State at Michigan | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 18, 2023

10) Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State needed a positive week. They got it this week. The Nittany Lions started the week with a win over Illinois that boosted their resume. They then won against Minnesota on Saturday. To get back in the NCAA Tournament field, the Nittany Lions must continue their strong play.

Penn State at Minnesota | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 18, 2023

9) Nebraska Cornhuskers

Keep an eye out for the Cornhuskers Late in the year, Nebraska has been hot with two more impressive wins at Rutgers this week and at home against Maryland. The Cornhuskers are a sleeper team that could make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament. They have won four of five games.

Maryland at Nebraska | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 19, 2023

8) Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa is the starting point of a grouping that is all on the same level: Michigan State, Rutgers Illinois and Maryland. Despite losing to Northwestern on Sunday, the Hawkeyes are currently at the bottom of the group. However, they could rise to the group’s top by next week.

Iowa vs Northwestern Basketball Game Highlights 2 19 2023

7) Rutgers Scarlet Knights

With a win on Saturday at Wisconsin, the Scarlet Knights escaped from a recent slump. Rutgers’ loss at Nebraska earlier in the week led to a drop in our rankings. Rutgers is safe in the NCAA Tournament, but they want to be strong to increase their seeding.

Rutgers vs Wisconsin Basketball Game Highlights 2 18 2023

6) Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State played 38 minutes of good ball against Michigan, but they lost in the last two. This was the difference in Saturday’s loss to the Wolverines. The emotional turmoil at Michigan State was very evident. The Spartans have a huge week coming up against Indiana and Iowa.

University of Michigan honors Michigan State during pregame ceremony

5) Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois dropped two games this week, making it a difficult week. The Fighting Illini were defeated at Indiana on Saturday and Penn State on Tuesday. They will now be trying to rebound against Minnesota on Monday.

Illinois at Penn State | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 14, 2023

4) Maryland Terrapins

Maryland got a massive win over first-place Purdue early in the week but came up short against Nebraska over the weekend. The Cornhuskers have been playing as well, if not better, than any team in the conference.

Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball beats Purdue

3) Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana lost a tough game at Northwestern on Tuesday because of a bad first half. The Hoosiers fought back in the second half but came up short. They followed that up with a gutty win over Illinois on Saturday. The Hoosiers are not exactly playing well as of right now, but they are a tough, gritty bunch that scratches and claws to win games.

Illinois vs #14 Indiana Basketball Game Highlights 2 18 2023

2) Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern has transformed from a bubble team into a serious contender for the Big Ten title and a possible deep run in March. The Wildcats have two more major wins over Iowa and Indiana this week and are now a lock for the NCAA Tournament. They could also win a share in the Big Ten regular-season championship if they keep playing at this level.

Indiana at Northwestern | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 15, 2023

1) Purdue Boilermakers

After being our best team all season, Purdue is beginning to fall. The Boilermakers lost another game this week and now have lost three of five of their last five. Purdue’s next week will be exciting, as they face Indiana in a rematch on Saturday.

Ohio State at Purdue | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Feb. 19, 2023