Joe Jackson and Ethan Carbone combine to give their Big Ten basketball power rankings for week 13.
Matchup of the week: Michigan State vs. Purdue
Sneaky good matchup of the week: Ohio State vs. Indiana
All times listed are EST.
1) Purdue Boilermakers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 21-1 (10-1)
Last week: @ Michigan (W) 75-70, Michigan State (W) 77-61
This week: Penn State (Feb. 1 – 6:30 p.m.), @ #21 Indiana (Feb. 4 – 4 p.m.)
Best wins: Gonzaga, Marquette, Michigan State (x2), Duke, Penn State
Worst losses: N/A
Purdue worked their way into the top spot of the AP poll as they claimed the first unanimous #1 in the season.
This came after a 19 and then a 38-point outing as Zach Edey scored his career-high on the path to becoming the National Player of the Year.
Fletcher Loyer also chipped in at the free-throw line when it mattered most, going 8-for-8 in the close win over Michigan.
2) Indiana Hoosiers
Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: 15-6 (6-4)
Last week: Minnesota (W) 61-57, Ohio State (W) 86-70
This week: @ Maryland (Jan. 31 – 9 p.m.), #1 Purdue (Feb. 4 – 4 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Xavier, @ Illinois, Michigan State, North Carolina
Worst losses: N/A
Although they played Minnesota close, Trayce Jackson-Davis shined with an unbelievable game with 25 points and 21 rebounds.
He then followed up with another double-double domination against Ohio State. Jalen Hood-Schifino has stood out and played like a veteran, shooting 8-for-12 for 24 points against the Buckeyes.
The Hoosiers have looked like a team that can and will make some noise in March.
3) Illinois Fighting Illini
Last week’s ranking: 4 (+1)
Record: 15-6 (6-4)
Last week: Ohio State (W) 69-60, @ Wisconsin (W) 61-51
This week: Nebraska (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), @ Iowa (Feb. 4 – 2:30 p.m.)
Best wins: UCLA, Texas, Michigan State
Worst losses: N/A
Illinois looked good this week, playing defensive basketball in wins over Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Matthew Mayer, Epps, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Coleman Hawkins all scored in double figures against the Badgers as the Illini have now won 6 of their last 7 games.
4) Northwestern
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+4)
Record: 15-5 (6-3)
Last week: @ Nebraska (W) 78-63, Minnesota (W) 71-51
This week: @ Iowa (Jan. 31 – 9 p.m.), Michigan (Feb. 2 – 7 p.m.), @ Wisconsin (Feb. 5 – 6:30 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Michigan State, Illinois, @ Indiana
Worst losses: N/A
The Wildcats have been very impressive as they have overachieved based on their defense and senior leadership.
Boo Bouie and Chase Audige have carried the weight of the Wildcats. If the season progresses at the level that it has been, Northwestern will go to its second-ever March Madness.
5) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-3)
Record: 14-7 (6-4)
Last week: Penn State (W) 65-45, @ Iowa (L) 82-93
This week: Minnesota (Feb. 1 – 8:30 p.m.), Michigan State (Feb. 4 – Noon)
Best wins: @ Purdue, Indiana, @ Northwestern, Wake Forest, Penn State
Worst losses: Temple
Rutgers dominated Penn State, forcing them to take and miss poor shot choices. Clifford Omuryi took over the paint with a double double.
Against Iowa, they let up 93 points, which is not ideal especially seeing as they gave up more than double the free throw attempts. Rutgers either plays defense and doesn’t foul or they foul to the point where many players are in foul trouble, leading to easy points for the other team.
6) Iowa Hawkeyes
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-)
Record: 13-8 (5-5)
Last week: @ Michigan State (L) 61-63, Rutgers (W) 93-82
This week: Northwestern (Jan. 31 – 9 p.m.), Illinois (Feb. 4 – 2:30 p.m.)
Best wins: Iowa State, @ Rutgers, Clemson, Indiana, Seton Hall
Worst losses: Eastern Illinois, @ Nebraska, @ Ohio State
Iowa nearly went 2-0 this week, but Michigan State’s guard play was too much for the Hawkeyes to overcome. However, with their big win over Rutgers, Iowa showed that at full strength they will always be able to contend in the tough Big Ten conference.
7) Michigan State Spartans
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-2)
Record: 14-8 (6-5)
Last week: Iowa (W) 63-61, @ #1 Purdue (L) 61-77
This week: Rutgers (Feb. 4 – Noon)
Best wins: @ Penn State, @ Wisconsin, Rutgers, Iowa, Kentucky, Oregon
Worst losses: @ Notre Dame
MSU is able to use their veteran guards to dominate, however when faced with an opposing big man that is very talented they seem to struggle. Seeing as they are coming off a game where they gave Zach Edey his new career high in points (38).
8) Penn State
Last week’s ranking: 10 (+2)
Record: 14-7 (5-5)
Last week: Rutgers (L) 45-65, Michigan (W) 83-61
This week: @ #1 Purdue (Feb. 1 – 6:30 p.m.), @ Nebraska (Feb. 5 – 4:30 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Illinois, Iowa, Indiana
Worst losses: N/A
When Penn State shoot well they’re one of the best teams in the Big Ten. When they don’t they tend to float. Jalen Pickett continues to play like the MVP of this team and as one of the best guards in the country. He had 25 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds in the win over Michigan.
9) Maryland Terrapins
Last week’s ranking: 12 (+3)
Record: 14-7 (5-5)
Last week: Wisconsin (W) 73-55, Nebraska (W) 82-63
This week: #21 Indiana (Jan. 31 – 9 p.m.), @ Minnesota (Feb. 4 – 9 p.m.)
Best wins: Miami (Fla), Illinois, Ohio State, Saint Louis
Worst losses: N/A
Maryland dominated in both of their games this week thanks to Jahmir Young who has been a force for the Terrapins this season.
10) Wisconsin Badgers.
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-1)
Record: 12-8 (4-6)
Last week: @ Maryland (L) 55-73, Illinois (L) 51-61
This week: @ Ohio State (Feb. 2 – 7 p.m.), Northwestern (Feb. 5 – 6:30)
Best wins: @ Marquette, @ Iowa, Penn State, USC, Dayton
Worst losses: N/A
Wisconsin has now lost six of their last seven games and it isn’t looking very good for the Badgers. The Badgers are also 74th in the NET, on the outside looking in at the NCAA Tournament.
11) Michigan Wolverines
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-4)
Record: 11-10 (5-5)
Last week: #1 Purdue (L) 70-75, @ Penn State (L) 61-83
This week: @ Northwestern (Feb. 2 – 7 p.m.), Ohio State (Feb. 5 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Penn State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern
Worst losses: Central Michigan, @ Maryland
Michigan is 2-5 in their last seven games and went 0-2 this past week. The Wolverines are sprinting toward needing to win the Big Ten Tournament to make March Madness.
12) Ohio State Buckeyes
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-1)
Record: 11-10 (3-7)
Last week: @ Illinois (L) 60-69, @ Indiana (L) 70-86
This week: Wisconsin (Feb. 2 – 7 p.m.), @ Michigan (Feb. 5 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Rutgers, Iowa, Cincinnati, Texas Tech
Worst losses: Minnesota, @ Nebraska
After a strong start, Ohio State is now 1-7 in their last eight games and cannot seem to figure it out offensively. A freshman-heavy team is starting to show its inexperience.
13) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last week’s ranking: 13 (-)
Record: 10-12 (3-8)
Last week: Northwestern (L) 63-78, @ Maryland (L) 63-82
This week: @ Illinois (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), Penn State (Feb. 5 – 4:30 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Creighton, Iowa, Ohio State
Worst losses: @ St. John’s
Nebraska cannot keep up with the rest of the Big Ten, having now lost 9 of their last 13 games.
14) Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)
Record: 7-13 (1-9)
Last week: Indiana (L) 57-61 @ Northwestern (L) 61-81
This week: @ Rutgers (Feb. 1 – 8:30 p.m.), Maryland (Feb. 4 – 9 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Ohio State, Cal Baptist, Central Michigan
Worst losses: DePaul, Nebraska, UNLV
Minnesota can keep it close on occasion but Ben Johnson needs his guys to develop before the Golden Gophers are to be successful to keep up in the Big Ten.