Big Ten Men’s Basketball Power Rankings — December 22, 2025

Records through games played on December 21

The Big Ten is deeper than ever with the additions of UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington, and the early-season results have already reshaped expectations across the league. Using official records through December 21, plus résumé strength, recent form, and analytics (NET/BPI), here are the 18 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Power Rankings, starting at the bottom and building to No. 1.

18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6–6, 0–2)

Rutgers sits last because the résumé simply isn’t competitive with the rest of the conference. At 6–6 overall and winless in league play, the Scarlet Knights continue to struggle generating consistent offense. Their defensive intensity comes and goes, and scoring droughts have doomed them in multiple close games. Even with some roster talent and flashes of physicality, Rutgers owns the weakest NET/BPI profile in the league and lacks a single quality win. Until they break through with Big Ten success or show sustained improvement, Rutgers remains firmly at No. 18.

17. Penn State Nittany Lions (8–4, 0–2)

Penn State’s overall record looks respectable, but the deeper numbers and recent form tell a different story. The Nittany Lions are 0–2 in conference play and have dropped several winnable games due to poor execution late and defensive breakdowns. Their offense can be dangerous when shots fall, but they give away too many possessions with turnovers and struggle to defend without fouling. The résumé lacks a signature win, and analytics place them toward the bottom of the Big Ten. Penn State is competitive, but not yet consistently good.

16. Oregon Ducks (6–6, 0–2)

Oregon’s inaugural Big Ten campaign has been rocky. The Ducks sit at 6–6 and have yet to win a conference game, reflecting their up-and-down offensive production and ongoing defensive issues. The talent is undeniable—multi-positional scoring, length on the wings, and capable shooters—but they have not yet put together a complete 40-minute performance against quality opponents. Between rebounding lapses, inconsistent shot-making, and difficulty winning on the road, Oregon currently projects as a lower-tier squad with room to grow.

15. Maryland Terrapins (6–6, 0–2)

Maryland has been one of the league’s biggest disappointments so far. The Terps sit at .500 overall with three straight losses, and their offense has stalled against every high-caliber defense they’ve faced. Turnovers, inconsistent guard play, and rebounding issues have all contributed to their slow start. With their injuries and identity still forming, Maryland hasn’t shown enough to escape the bottom four. Their experience suggests a potential turnaround, but the on-court product and winless Big Ten record keep them at No. 15 for now.

14. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7–5, 1–1)

Minnesota is showing modest improvement under new leadership. The Gophers’ 7–5 record and competitive performances suggest progress, and their first Big Ten win provides optimism. Offensively, Minnesota has reliable scorers and good spacing, but their inconsistency is glaring—hot stretches followed by complete drop-offs. Defensively, they’re stronger than recent seasons, but lapses late in games continue to cost them. Minnesota isn’t a pushover, but they also haven’t proven they can win against quality opponents, keeping them in the bottom five.

13. Northwestern Wildcats (7–5, 0–2)

Northwestern remains one of the toughest teams to evaluate. The Wildcats defend well enough to stay in almost every game, but they struggle to finish close contests, as seen in their narrow losses to high-major opponents. At 7–5 with no conference wins, Northwestern has a better underlying profile than its record, but the results still matter. Missing leading scorer Nick Martinelli during a key stretch didn’t help. Until they start closing out games and find more offensive consistency, Northwestern stays in the lower-middle tier.

12. Washington Huskies (7–4, 1–1)

Washington has handled its move into the Big Ten reasonably well. The Huskies sit at 7–4 and a solid 1–1 in conference, playing a style built on tempo, guard play, and pressure defense. When their shooters are hot, Washington can score in bunches, but their rebounding and foul-trouble issues show up often against physical teams. Their NET/BPI numbers are respectable—top-40 range—but they lack a high-end win and have yet to beat a top-tier Big Ten opponent. They’re competitive, but not yet in the upper half.

11. Wisconsin Badgers (7–4, 1–1)

Wisconsin is, as usual, a grind-it-out defensive force that’s difficult to play against. Their 7–4 record includes some solid wins but also surprising letdowns, especially on the offensive end. When they control tempo, they look like a top-eight Big Ten team; when opponents speed them up or stretch them out, Wisconsin has struggled. Their defensive rebounding and discipline remain strengths, but shot creation is inconsistent. They’re clearly better than the teams behind them, but just a step below the Big Ten’s top 10.

10. Ohio State Buckeyes (8–3, 1–1)

Ohio State lands at No. 10 despite an 8–3 record, largely because of their inconsistency. The Buckeyes have the talent and balance to beat strong opponents, but they’ve also had games where their offense stagnates and defensive rotations break down. Their metrics (top-35 BPI) suggest they’re better than their record, and they’ve won several solid non-conference matchups. Still, the Buckeyes haven’t shown the steady, high-level execution needed to crack the top tier. They remain dangerous, but unpredictable.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes (10–2, 1–1)

Iowa sports one of the best records in the league at 10–2, powered—as always—by elite scoring. The Hawkeyes can score in transition, shoot the three, and move the ball beautifully when the offense is clicking. Their defensive concerns, however, remain significant. Iowa struggles to contain athletic guards and has issues defending ball screens, which showed in their two losses. They’ve beaten who they’re supposed to beat, but they have yet to prove they can defend consistently enough against top-level competition. Still, 10–2 earns them a solid top-10 spot.

8. USC Trojans (12–1, 1–1)

USC owns one of the best records in the country at 12–1, but their overall profile is slightly less convincing than the record indicates. Losing star guard Rodney Rice to a season-ending injury removes a 20-point scorer from their lineup, and their early schedule has been softer than most top Big Ten teams. Still, the Trojans shoot the ball well, have strong guard depth, and have defended at a higher level than expected. Their lone loss prevents an even higher ranking, but USC remains very much a contender.

7. UCLA Bruins (9–3, 2–0)

UCLA has transitioned into the Big Ten impressively. The Bruins are 9–3 overall and undefeated in league play, showing balance on both ends of the floor. They defend well, rebound with force, and have multiple offensive options capable of carrying stretches. Their three losses keep them out of the top five, but the unbeaten conference start and strong analytics profile make UCLA a clear upper-division team. They’ve shown they can win slow, physical games—an essential Big Ten trait.

6. Indiana Hoosiers (9–3, 1–1)

Indiana is building momentum under new leadership and sits at 9–3 with a strong analytics profile. The Hoosiers have shown marked improvement in offensive spacing, late-game execution, and defensive rotations. They’ve collected quality non-conference wins and have looked better each week. Their three losses and 1–1 Big Ten start keep them just outside the top five, but Indiana has the look of a team that can surge as the season progresses. Their ceiling appears higher than many teams behind them.

5. Illinois Fighting Illini (8–3, 1–1)

Illinois is a metrics darling: despite an 8–3 record, their NET and BPI rankings both place them solidly in top-20 territory. Offensively, Illinois has excellent shooting depth and one of the most versatile lineups in the league. Defensively, they’ve had stretches of dominance but remain inconsistent on the glass. Their résumé includes several strong wins and a competitive loss to a ranked opponent. Illinois looks and plays like a second-weekend NCAA Tournament team and sits firmly in the Big Ten’s upper echelon.

4. Michigan State Spartans (11–1, 2–0)

Michigan State has once again found its stride early. The Spartans are 11–1 with a flawless conference start, and they’ve already claimed a neutral-site tournament championship. Their physical defense, rebounding, and discipline are classic Tom Izzo hallmarks, and their guards have shown steady improvement. Michigan State’s only question is offensive ceiling—do they have enough shot-making to keep pace with the top three? For now, the undefeated Big Ten record and consistently strong play place them fourth.

3. Nebraska Cornhuskers (12–0, 2–0)

The biggest surprise in the Big Ten sits at No. 3 and 12–0 overall, making Nebraska one of just a handful of undefeated teams left nationally. Their defense has been stout, and their offense has executed with precision and spacing. While the non-conference slate wasn’t as challenging as those of Michigan or Purdue, Nebraska’s perfect record and top-15 NET ranking are impossible to ignore. Until they falter, they belong in the Big Ten’s top tier.

2. Purdue Boilermakers (11–1, 2–0)

Purdue’s résumé is loaded with quality wins, including a dominant victory over ranked Auburn at the Indy Classic. At 11–1 and undefeated in conference play, the Boilermakers look every bit like a national title contender. Their inside–out offensive approach remains elite, and their defense has taken another step forward. Purdue owns multiple top-25 wins and maintains top-10 rankings in all major analytics systems. They’re as complete as any team in the country—just not as flawless as Michigan to this point.

1. Michigan Wolverines (11–0, 2–0)

Michigan stands alone atop the Big Ten. At 11–0, the Wolverines have a perfect résumé highlighted by marquee wins over Gonzaga and Auburn. Their defense is elite, their transition offense is explosive, and their half-court execution continues to improve. Michigan holds the conference’s best NET and BPI rankings and has passed every test so far. The Wolverines look like a Final Four contender and, as of December 21, are unquestionably the Big Ten’s top team.