Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings 12/24/24

18. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota won their sole game last week against Fairleigh Dickinson at home on Saturday to improve to 7-5 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. On Sunday afternoon they will face Morgan State at home.

17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights were defeated by Princeton in Newark, falling by just a single possession and now sitting at  7-5 overall.

Two out-of-conference opponents, Kennesaw State and Princeton, were ranked below 100 by Ken-pom.

16. Washington Huskies

Washington had a fantastic week. On Wednesday, they defeated Washington State by 16 points at home to improve their record to 8-3 overall.

Although Washington still ranks among the weakest teams in the Big Ten Conference, it has shown signs of improvement this season. Its defense has improved, and the KenPom rankings have jumped 15 places since its losses early last month.

15. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana struggled to beat Chattanooga at home this past weekend. Indiana has zero statement wins, and the two good teams they played, Louisville and Gonzaga, handled them easily. It’s an absolute joke that Indiana has the talent this roster has and isn’t ranked at least in the top ten of this power rankings. Something is wrong in Indiana, and that thing is wrong is the Head Coach Mike Woodson, who looks lost. It’s time for a change in Indiana.

14. USC Trojans

Last week, USC completed a flawless week by defeating both CSUN and Southern at home – beating CSUN on Wednesday before beating Southern on Sunday at home – to move their record up to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play; quietly winning four straight to move up KenPom rankings up to 81st position overall. Next up for USC: hosting Michigan on January 4th when Big Ten play resumes for them at home.

13. Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern enjoyed an outstanding week, defeating DePaul easily on Saturday in its only contest and improving to 9-3 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. Northwestern will now rest up until hosting Northeastern on Sunday at home; expect another one-sided battle then.

12. Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes prevailed in their sole game last week, defeating Utah in Sioux Falls on Saturday to improve to 9-3 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play; KenPom currently ranks Iowa 43rd nationally. Iowa continues winning most games it should, yet it must find ways to elevate in league play if it hopes to make the Selection Sunday cut-off mark.

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska was off most of last week, before embarking across the Pacific to participate in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. On Sunday night, Nebraska opened play by defeating Murray State by double digits en route to becoming 8-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play.

10. Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin’s Badgers defeated Detroit Mercy at home on Sunday, bringing their record to 10-3 for the season and completing non-conference play. Going forward, Wisconsin will take a short break before facing Iowa at home on January 3rd, another important test.

9. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State had an outstanding week of play this past week, taking down Valparaiso at home on Tuesday and then upsetting Kentucky in New York on Saturday by posting an incredible 20-point victory against one of the top five ranked teams in the nation – sending shockwaves through Big Ten play! Their results now sit them at 8-4 overall and 1-1 Big Ten play.

Ohio State has had an inconsistent start to the 2024-25 season, and no clear path seems apparent for what might come next. So far, they’ve alternated between great and poor performances, with no apparent end in sight.

8. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue suffered through an unsuccessful week, losing to Auburn on Saturday in an entirely non-competitive matchup. Auburn cruised to an 18-point win that probably wasn’t even that close. With this loss, Purdue now sits at 8-4 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play heading into its last week of 2024 play.

Purdue’s general performance remains strong; they boast multiple marquee wins and will likely remain competitive when Big Ten play resumes in January. But some issues have appeared.

7. Maryland Terrapins

Maryland had a tremendous week, defeating Saint Francis at home on Tuesday and Syracuse away in New York on Saturday by wide margins to become 10-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play – winning seven out of their last eight games to rise all the way to 11th on KenPom rankings.

Maryland will only be playing one game this week – at home on Saturday against lowly Maryland Eastern Shore – so anticipate an emphatic victory from Maryland in what should be a lopsided contest.

6. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan had an uneven week of play, beginning with a close loss against Oklahoma on Wednesday and then coming back strong against Purdue Fort Wayne at home on Sunday. This left Michigan at 9-3 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play.

Through 12 games, Michigan fans must have mixed opinions of this squad. Much of its resume has been encouraging—including a top-20 KenPom rating, quality wins over Iowa, TCU, Wisconsin, and Xavier, and no particularly egregious losses—but many must feel disillusioned with how close Michigan has come to levelling up, losing all three contests by one possession each time.

5. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State cruised to a convincing win in their only game this week against Drexel University on Saturday in Philadelphia. They easily beat them and improved to 10-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play—winning four of five consecutive contests!

Penn State will complete non-conference play this Sunday by hosting Penn. A game the Nittany Lions should win easily.

4. Oregon Ducks

Oregon had an outstanding week of play, winning its sole contest against Stanford at San Jose by a convincing 15-point margin and improving to 11-1 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten action.

Oregon will conclude its non-conference play this Sunday against Weber State at home, and KenPom anticipates a blowout game as do I.

3. Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State notched two nice wins this week, defeating Oakland at Detroit on Tuesday and Florida Atlantic at home on Saturday to advance their resume and move them up to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play. Michigan State will have this week off before returning against Western Michigan next Saturday December 30th.

2. UCLA Bruins

UCLA had a somewhat disappointing week, splitting with Prairie View A&M and North Carolina last week. They were in contention to sweep both games before faltering late against North Carolina for a close loss that dropped them to 10-2 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play.

UCLA remains in a good position this season; however, their loss to North Carolina could prove decisive when determining March seeding if they fail to add marquee wins in the coming months. UCLA needs more marquee victories; lucky for Bruins fans, this Saturday against Gonzaga will provide such an opportunity.

1. Illinois Fighting Illni

Illinois came away victorious in their sole game this week against Missouri on Sunday afternoon, primarily thanks to Kasparas Jakucionis’ performance, which continued his meteoric rise in the national rankings. As a result, Illinois now stands at 8-3 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play.

Illinois has made quite an impressionful statement about themselves this season by appearing in the top 25 on KenPom and collecting quality wins against Arkansas, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Illinois only has one game scheduled this week: home against Chicago State on Sunday. Expect an easy victory!