Joe Jackson and Ethan Carbone combine to give their Big Ten basketball power rankings for week 17.
Matchup of the week: Indiana vs. Iowa
Sneaky good matchup of the week: Rutgers vs. Northwestern
All times listed are EST.
1) Purdue Boilermakers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 24-5 (13-5)
Last week: #17 Indiana (L) 71-79
This week: @ Wisconsin (Mar. 2 – 9 p.m.) Illinois (Mar. 5 – 12:30 p.m.)
Best wins: Marquette, Gonzaga, Duke, Michigan State (x2), Maryland, Iowa, West Virginia
Worst losses: N/A
For the first time since 2013, Purdue was swept by in-state rival Indiana as the Boilermakers need a consistent guy who can be their number two scorer. A team shooting 34.9% from the field and 21.7% from three is unacceptable, especially as a top-five ranked team.
2) Indiana Hoosiers
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)
Record: 19-8 (10-6)
Last week: @ Michigan State (L) 65-80, @ #5 Purdue (W) 79-71
This week: Iowa (Feb. 28 – 7 p.m.)
Best wins: Purdue (x2), @ Xavier, Illinois (x2), Michigan State, Rutgers, North Carolina, @ Michigan, Wisconsin
Worst losses: N/A
Indiana swept their rivals for the first time since 2013 as Jalen Hood-Schifino managed to score 35 points and dominate Purdue’s smaller guards. The Hoosiers’ season looks positive even with their loss to Michigan State, which really seems like they overlooked the Spartans.
3) Illinois Fighting Illini
Last week’s ranking: 4 (+1)
Record: 19-10 (10-8)
Last week: #21 Northwestern (W) 66-62, @ Ohio State (L) 60-72
This week: Michigan (Mar. 2 – 7 p.m.), @ #5 Purdue (Mar. 5 -12:30 p.m.)
Best wins: UCLA, Texas, Northwestern, Michigan State, Rutgers, Wisconsin (x2)
Worst losses: @ Ohio State
Illinois had a great win against Northwestern as they were able to bounce back after a poor first half. Whereas against Ohio State, the Fighting Illini started off slow yet again and could not manage to speed up. Illinois has a big week as Brad Underwood has never lost to Juwan Howard. That game could be season-defining for the Wolverines.
4) Maryland Terrapins
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+4)
Record: 20-9 (11-7)
Last week: Minnesota (W) 88-70, #21 Northwestern (W) 75-59
This week: @ Ohio State (Mar. 1 – 8 p.m.), @ Penn State (Mar. 5 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Purdue, Indiana, Miami (Fla), Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan, Saint Louis
Worst losses: @ Nebraska
Maryland has been playing very tough as of late as Jahmir Young continues to take over games. Every starter for the Terps has the potential to make a nice move and score and going into March that’ll be key. Having Julian Reese and Donta Scott on the defensive side of things is also a huge key heading into tournament time.
5) Northwestern Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 3 (-2)
Record: 20-9 (11-7)
Last week: @ Illinois (L) 62-66, @ Maryland (L) 59-75
This week: Penn State (Mar. 1 – 9 p.m.), @ Rutgers (Mar. 5 – 7:30 p.m.)
Best wins: Purdue, Indiana (x2), Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Wisconsin (x2), Liberty
Worst losses: Ohio State
After finally getting ranked last week the Northwestern Wildcats blew a lead against Illinois and shot poorly against Maryland. Northwestern is on the verge of perhaps its best season this millennium and this week they’ll need to push back to their winning ways against Penn State and Rutgers.
6) Michigan State Spartans
Last week’s ranking: 7 (+1)
Record: 17-11 (9-8)
Last week: #17 Indiana (W) 80-65, @ Iowa (L) 106-112
This week: @ Nebraska (Feb. 28 – 9 p.m.), Ohio State (Mar. 4 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Kentucky, Rutgers, @ Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan, Oregon
Worst losses: @ Notre Dame
Michigan State bounced back after losing to Michigan with a dominating game against Indiana. However, against Iowa, they somehow managed to blow a 13-point lead with a minute and a half left in double overtime, as well as allowing 100 points in regulation.
7) Iowa Hawkeyes
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-1)
Record: 18-11 (10-8)
Last week: @ Wisconsin (L) 54-64, Michigan State (W) 112-106
This week: Nebraska (Mar. 5 – 2 p.m.)
Best wins: Indiana, Iowa State, Northwestern, Illinois, Rutgers (x2), Maryland, Michigan State, Clemson, @ Seton Hall, Michigan
Worst losses: Eastern Illinois, @ Nebraska, @ Ohio State
Ignoring the Wisconsin loss, Iowa managed to shoot the lights out versus the Spartans and came back with incredible three-point shooting in a wild finish. This Hawkeyes team is going into a game where they should win but nothing is guaranteed and they need to focus on the task at hand against Nebraska.
8) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-3)
Record: 17-10 (9-7)
Last week: Michigan (L) 45-58, @ Penn State (W) 59-56
This week: @ Minnesota (Mar. 2 – 7 p.m.) , Northwestern (Mar. 5 – 7:30 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Purdue, @ Northwester, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, @ Wisconsin, Penn State (x2), Wake Forest
Worst losses: Temple, @ Ohio State, Nebraska
Rutgers was able to squeak past Penn State in a close battle as well as get obliterated on offense by the Michigan defense. If Rutgers’ offense can’t get on track soon March will not be fun for the Scarlet Knights. They should be in, but are trending down.
9) Michigan Wolverines
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-)
Record: 17-12 (11-7)
Last week: @ Rutgers (W) 58-45, Wisconsin (W) 87-79
This week: @ Illinois (Mar. 2 – 7 p.m.), @ #15 Indiana (Mar. 5 – 4:30 p.m.)
Best wins: Pittsburgh, Northwestern (x2), Rutgers, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State
Worst losses: Central Michigan
Michigan had a terrific week with two wins of double digits as well heading into a week that could determine whether or not they get into March Madness. Even just one win this week could hop them into the field of 68 as they have two tough tasks against Illinois and Indiana.
10) Wisconsin Badgers
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-)
Record: 16-12 (8-10)
Last week: Iowa (W) 64-54, @ Michigan (L) 79-87
This week: #5 Purdue (Mar. 2 – 9 p.m.) @ Minnesota (Mar. 5 – 7:30 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Marquette, Iowa (x2), Maryland, USC, Penn State, Michigan, Dayton
Worst losses: Nebraska (x2)
Wisconsin split last week, but the win was a huge one over a quality Iowa Hawkeyes squad. A Badgers’ win over Purdue would almost lock up an NCAA Tournament bid, but a win over Minnesota is virtually a must.
11) Penn State Nittany Lions
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-)
Record: 17-12 (8-10)
Last week: @ Ohio State (W) 75-71, Rutgers (L) 56-59
This week: @ Northwestern (Mar. 1 – 9 p.m.), #21 Maryland (Mar. 5 – Noon)
Best wins: Indiana, Illinois (x2), Iowa, Michigan, Furman
Worst losses: Virginia Tech, @ Nebraska
Penn State won a close game with Ohio State followed by a loss in an even closer one against Penn State. They split the week’s games with a lot of tension heading into their final two in the regular season. The Nittany Lions are on the bubble as much as any team.
12) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-)
Record: 15-14 (8-10)
Last week: Minnesota (W) 78-67
This week: MSU (Feb. 28 – 9 p.m.), @ Iowa (Mar. 5 – 2 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Creighton, @ Rutgers, Iowa, Maryland, Wisconsin, Penn State
Worst losses: @ St. John’s, Oklahoma
Nebraska picked up a good win last week over Minnesota by 11 points. If the Cornhuskers can win just one this week they’ll be at least .500 on the season, something they haven’t accomplished since the 2018-19 season.
13) Ohio State Buckeyes
Last week’s ranking: 13 (-)
Record: 12-17 (4-14)
Last week: Penn State (L) 71-75, Illinois (W) 72-60
This week: #21 Maryland (Mar. 1 – 7 p.m.), @ Michigan State (Mar. 4 – 12 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Northwestern, Illinois, Rutgers, Iowa, Texas Tech, Cincinnati
Worst losses: Minnesota, @ Nebraska
Ohio State is starting to play harder, however, it’ll be too little too late unless they win the Big Ten Tournament. However, the solid end to the season should make Buckeyes fans excited about next year, because of the play of the freshmen class that should return.
14) Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)
Record: 7-20 (1-16)
Last week: @ Maryland (L) 70-88, @ Nebraska (L) 67-78
This week: Rutgers (Mar. 2 – 7:30 p.m.), Wisconsin (Mar. 5 – 7:30 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Ohio State, Cal Baptist, Central Michigan
Worst losses: DePaul, Nebraska, UNLV
It was a very rough week for Minnesota. 5-star recruit Dennis Evans de-committing was the worst loss of the week and the Golden Gophers lost twice by double digits.