Big Ten Power Rankings 01/15/24

The Big Ten is a mess right now, as nobody can seem to win on the road. Purdue took another Big Ten loss this past week, and for the first time all year, a new team pulled into the top spot in the Big Ten. Wisconsin is on top for now, and they have shown they can win on the road in the Big Ten.

14) Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines have lost five straight games, and you have to wonder what is going on in Ann Arbor. Juwan Howard is the problem, and you have to expect this is Howard’s last season at Michigan. The next coach is going to have a significant mess to clean up.

Michigan at Maryland | Extended Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 11, 2024

13) Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers struggles offensively and defensively. They are good but not as good as they have been the last couple of years. The Scarlet Knights were beaten soundly at Michigan State over the weekend. They did get a nice win over Indiana last week, but it was a poorly played game by both teams.

Indiana at Rutgers | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 9, 2024

12) Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions had a rough week, losing a close one to Northwestern and getting hammered at Purdue. The Nittany Lions are not a good team, but they should be good enough to pull off an occasional upset.

Penn State at Purdue | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 13, 2024

11) Maryland Terrapins

The Terps are a talented team that hasn’t yet lived up to their talent. Maybe they are starting to hit their stride? A win over Michigan was expected, but a win at Illinois was not. Maybe the Terps are settling in, or maybe the win over Illinois was a fluke. We will find out this week as Maryland will go to Northwestern and host Michigan State on Sunday.

Maryland at Illinois | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 14, 2023

10) Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Gophers have an outstanding record, but that record is courteous of an easy schedule. That was shown last Friday night as Indiana dominated the Gophers. The Gophers have made large strides from last season, and a post-season trip to a tournament is possible.

Maryland at Minnesota | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 7, 2024

9) Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes have the talent to be much higher in these rankings. They lost their last two contests at Indiana and home against Wisconsin. The game against the Badgers was closer than the final score would indicate.

Wisconsin at Ohio State | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 10, 2024

8) Iowa Hawkeyes

All of a sudden, the Hawkeyes are starting to climb these ratings! Iowa’s big win last week was a double-digit win over Nebraska, a major win for the Hawkeyes; they also handled Rutgers earlier in the week.

Nebraska at Iowa | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 12, 2024

7) Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans came up short in a 71-68 loss at Illinois last week but bounced back with a 73-55 easy win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Spartans are in danger of missing March Madness unless they go on a winning streak. They have the players to do it, but something seems to be missing with the Spartans.

Rutgers at Michigan State | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 14, 2024

6) Indiana Hoosiers

The Hoosiers are an above-average team at home and a below-average team on the road. The Hoosiers have a big matchup Tuesday night against Purdue and could help their NCAA Tournament resume in a big way with a victory at Assembly Hall.

Minnesota at Indiana | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 12, 2024

5) Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Cornhuskers are great at home, blowing out Indiana and Purdue, but they have had issues losing to Wisconsin and Iowa on the road. The Huskers must pick up road wins to ensure a March Madness invite.

HIGHLIGHTS: Purdue vs. Nebraska | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | 1/9/2024 | NBC Sports

4) Northwestern Wildcats

Last week, the Wildcats easily handled Michigan State, and they started this past week well with a win over a gritty Penn State bunch. The Wildcat’s hot streak would end over the weekend with a 71-63 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers. All in all, the Wildcats are playing well and look headed for the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan State at Northwestern | Highlights | Big Ten Men’s Basketball | Jan. 7, 2024

3) Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini beat Michigan State 71-68 earlier in the week but followed that up with an inexcusable home loss to what looks like a mediocre at best Maryland team. The Illini have played well without star Terrance Shannon until now, but it may be catching up to them without their best player.

Michigan State Spartans vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights | CBB on FOX

2) Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers didn’t just lose at Nebraska; they got a blowout, and Boilermaker fans must be worried about tournament play. Purdue is still having trouble with teams with fast, aggressive point guards. They need a conference road win, and they will get that opportunity on Tuesday night as they Travel to Assembly Hall to take on their rival, the Indiana Hoosiers.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers Highlights | CBB on FOX

1) Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers got a double-digit win on the road at Ohio State and followed that up with a win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Wisconsin has been the most consistent team in the Big Ten this season, putting them on top in these rankings.

Spotlighting AJ Storr | Wisconsin Basketball | The Journey