Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: The Hoosiers climbing quickly towards the top

Power Rankings

14) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota returns to its home at the bottom of the Big Ten this week. Purdue held the Golden Gophers to fewer than 40 points in the first half of the week and the Gophers lost against Michigan on Sunday. This team is tough but lacks the talent to defeat many other teams in the Big Ten.

Minnesota vs Michigan Basketball Game Highlights 1 22 2023

13) Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Cornhuskers had a good week; first, they upset Ohio State, and they followed that up with a solid game at Penn State, losing in a close battle.

Ohio State vs Nebraska Basketball Game Highlights 1 18 2023

12) Ohio State Buckeyes

Although it wasn’t too long ago, Ohio State was challenging for the top ranking in our power rankings. It seems like forever ago. The Buckeyes beat Iowa on Saturday to end a five-game losing streak, including losses to Minnesota and Nebraska. Even with this weekend’s win, things are not looking good for the Buckeyes.

Iowa at Ohio State | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 21, 2023

11) Michigan Wolverines

It’s hard to believe, but the Wolverines are 5-3 in Big Ten play and are second in the league standings. The Wolverines were beaten this past weekend by Maryland.

Michigan vs Maryland Basketball Game Highlights 1 19 2023

10) Maryland Terrapins

Overall, Maryland enjoyed a strong week with a victory over Michigan and a near win over Purdue. The Terps are a solid team that can play with anybody, but they can also lose to anybody.

Maryland vs #3 Purdue Basketball Game Highlights 1 22 2023

9) Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern did not play this week because of COVID. Hopefully, they will be up and running again this week.

8) Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes were beaten in their only game of the week by the Ohio State Buckeyes. It’s a bad loss for an Iowa team trying to strengthen its NCAA resume.

Iowa at Ohio State | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 21, 2023

7) Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions were close to beating Wisconsin on the road, but they won convincingly against Nebraska on Saturday. They’ll be dancing in March if Penn State plays consistently and gets an upset or two along the way.

Nebraska at Penn State | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 21, 2023

6) Wisconsin Badgers

The badgers had been nose-diving as of late, but that all changed this week as Tyler Wahl returned to the lineup. The Badgers got a nice win against a good Penn State team and with Wahl back should be back to normal now.

Penn State at Wisconsin | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 17, 2023

5) Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers’ only game this past week was a loss to the Michigan State Spartans on the road. The Knights are still nicely set up to make a March Madness run.

#23 Rutgers vs Michigan State Basketball Game Highlights 1 19 2023

4) Illinois Fighting Illini

The Fighting Illini seemed to be in good shape over the last few weeks, but they could not deliver a solid performance against Indiana. It’s unacceptable to lose by 15 points at home against a hobbled Hoosiers team, especially after the Fighting Illini have been dominant in their previous three games. The Illinois issue is coaching, which is not changing anytime soon.

Indiana vs Illinois Basketball Game Highlights 1 19 2023

3) Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans are a good team, except when they play a team with a big-time player underneath the basket. This past week saw losses against Purdue and Indiana, but sandwiched in between those losses was a big win over a good Rutgers team.

#23 Rutgers vs Michigan State Basketball Game Highlights 1 19 2023

2) Indiana Hoosiers

Who saw this coming? The Hoosiers blew out Wisconsin two weeks ago and have since blowout Illinois and Michigan State. Trayce Jackson Davis is the best player in the Big Ten, and guys like Tamar Bates and Jordan Geronimo is starting to step up. The Hoosiers may be the most dangerous Big Ten team once we get to March Madness time.

Michigan State vs Indiana Basketball Game Highlights 1 22 2023

1) Purdue Boilermakers

Another strong week for the Boilermakers. It began with a narrow win over the Spartans and ended with another narrow victory against Maryland. As we reach the halfway point of conference play, Purdue is running away with the Big Ten championship.

Purdue at Minnesota | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 19, 2023