George Bagwell gives his Big Ten basketball power rankings heading into week 12 of the 2023 season.
Matchup of the week: Northwestern vs. Illinois (Jan. 24 – 9 p.m.)
Sneaky good matchup of the week: Wisconsin vs. Michigan State (Jan. 26 – 8 p.m.)
All games listed are EST.
Full disclosure. This is my first time writing the Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings. I typically write about SEC basketball, I’ve only been above Washington D.C. twice, and only to go east or west, not north. I don’t know tons about Midwest culture, but I’ve tasted Culver’s before so I think that’s sufficient.
Unlike sometimes in the SEC, no bias will shine through this article, because I have literally no connection to any of these teams. Before accusing me of being a (insert school here) homer, consider I have no home in the Midwest. I’m simply an SEC vagabond filling in a weekly article about basketball teams that I know a lot about in a region that I don’t. As I get better with identifying trends with each Big Ten program, their respective paragraphs will get longer, but for now, there’s a recap paragraph and look-ahead paragraph for each team for this first test run. Without further ado, the rankings.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 17-2 (6-2)
Last week: W at Indiana (87-66), W at Iowa (84-70)
Next week: vs. Michigan (Jan. 23 – 9 p.m.), at Rutgers (Jan. 28 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: Marquette, Tennessee, Illinois, Alabama, Gonzaga, Xavier
Bad losses: N/A
Who else but Purdue? The Boilermakers had two road games this week, but the unfriendly confines had little effect on the clear best team in the Big Ten. Yes, the losses to Northwestern and Nebraska are, from an elite team’s standpoint, concerning. But 11 of 14 teams in the conference had at least one loss last week, while Zach Edey and company took care of business quite easily. Games against Indiana and Iowa were double-digit leads by halftime, and Zach Edey casually dropped statlines of 33-14 and 30-18. As crazy as it seems, that’s almost what we’ve come to expect from Purdue against teams like that. Shoutout to Lance Jones, who scored 17 points on 12 shots in 32 minutes against Indiana, then scored 17 points on 12 shots in 32 minutes against Iowa. That’s consistency, y’all.
This week, Purdue faces possibly the easiest week of Big Ten basketball this year. The Boilermakers and Coach Painter host Michigan before traveling to New Jersey to take on Rutgers. If they lose either game, I’ll move Purdue to No. 14 in these rankings. You have my word. Over-under on total Edey points + rebounds this week? I’m setting it at 79.5 and hammering my own over.
2. Wisconsin Badgers
Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)
Record: 14-4 (6-1)
Last week: L at Penn State (83-87), W vs. Indiana (91-79)
Next week: at Minnesota (Jan. 23 – 7 p.m.), vs. Michigan State (Jan. 26 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: Marquette, at Michigan State, at Ohio State, Northwestern
Bad losses: at Penn State
Wisconsin took their first loss of the conference slate last week, and, believe it or not, the same team that had taken out MSU and OSU on the road, plus Northwestern and Marquette at home, was punched in the jaw by 8-9 Penn State. That’s classic Big Ten basketball. (I think.) But like real-life Badgers, Wisconsin bounced back Greg Gard-style with an electric win over Indiana at home. Max Klesmit led the way with 26 points on 8-11 shooting from the field, while freshman John Blackwell scored 12 off the bench. The game’s final margin of victory? 12. Don’t ever try to tell me that bench contributions don’t matter in today’s basketball landscape. (No one has told me that yet, but I’m practicing for the day that it does happen.)
This week, Wisconsin can build their lead in the Big Ten race (they’re a 0.5 game up on Purdue) with solid performances against Minnesota on the road and Michigan State at home. With much of the conference cannibalizing itself just below the Badgers in the standings, these two games offer opportunity for Greg Gard and Co. as they navigated the Big Ten with an offense that is best characterized as fun. AJ Storr, Steven Crowl, Tyler Wahl, and others, of course, are all just vibing on offense, and we love to see that. Here’s to betting those good vibes will continue past this week.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-1)
Record: 14-4 (5-2)
Last week: W at Michigan (88-73), W vs. Rutgers (86-63)
Next week: at Northwestern (Jan. 24 – 9 p.m.), vs. Indiana (Jan. 27 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: FAU, Northwestern
Bad losses: Maryland
The Illini swept their week’s slate pretty easily, but that was overshadowed by the fact that not only did Terrence Shannon Jr. return to action less than a month after a sexual assault charge, but he got a standing ovation for it, too. You can read my thoughts on the issue here.
They beat Michigan on the road and Rutgers at home. They’re playing well, and they will have a chance to make some noise as perhaps a top two team in the Big Ten. They’re the best rebounding team in the conference, and they don’t foul often. In a time in which the rest of the Big Ten is possibly cannibalizing itself, Illinois could stay the path and just stack up quality wins. This week, the Illini have one such opportunity when they take on Northwestern on the road before playing Indiana at home.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last week’s ranking: 6 (+2)
Record: 14-5 (4-4)
Last week: L at Rutgers (82-87), W vs. Northwestern (75-69)
Next week: vs. Ohio State (Jan. 23 – 7 p.m.), at Maryland (Jan. 27 – Noon)
Quality wins: Purdue, at Kansas State, Northwestern, Michigan State
Bad losses: at Rutgers
I love watching Nebrasketball. It’s the gift that just keeps on giving. Besides the road loss to Rutgers, of course. That one was tough. Even tougher than the fact that they lost was how they did so. Nebraska was in control for most of the game. The ‘Huskers were up 12 with just over eight minutes to go. Does that make the loss hurt more, or just gives it a silver lining? I wouldn’t know, I’ve never been up by 12 in a game before. But it’s a next-game-up mentality needed in the Big Ten, and Hoiberg and Co. exemplified that with a bounce-back win over Northwestern in their next game out. How’d they do it? With five players in double-figures and a late dagger from Keisei Tominaga. That’s Nebrasketball, y’all.
This week, in order to stay ahead of the middle of the pack, Nebraska will need to take care of Ohio State at home and take down Maryland on the road. Not saying it’s guaranteed, but a 2-0 week would entail a 16-5 overall record along with a 6-4 Big Ten mark, which to me sounds like a perfectly fine NCAA tournament resume. Who will be the x-factors? The best part of Nebrasketball is that it doesn’t matter. Team basketball is key with this squad, and that’s a really underrated aspect of good teams, being able to promote selflessness. Nebraska is certainly capable of sweeping this week’s slate.
5. Northwestern Wildcats
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)
Record: 13-5 (4-3)
Last week: W vs. Maryland (72-69), L at Nebraska (69-75)
Next week: vs. #10 Illinois (Jan. 24 – 9 p.m.), vs. Ohio State (Jan. 27 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Purdue, Dayton, Michigan State
Bad losses: Chicago State
If it weren’t for the loss to Chicago State, which I’m not entirely sure wasn’t just for meme fodder, Northwestern would be easily a top 4 team in these Power Rankings. But, alas, that defeat has relegated the Wildcats to the fifth spot in these rankings. While that loss hasn’t aged well, a few wins certainly have. Purdue and now Dayton are and will be ranked wins for a while. Last week, though, a solid win was picked up, followed by a lost opportunity. Against the Terps, Northwestern didn’t shoot nearly as well as their opponents but still won the turnover battle and the free throw battle, which combined to be enough for a three-point win at home. However, against Nebraska, the Huskers sucked the life out of the Wildcats with a late three-point dagger despite Brooks Barnhizer dropping a 24-7-4 statline with 4 steals. If this team wants to win games in the NCAA tournament, they’re going to have to make their shots and force opponents to miss theirs. It sounds simple in theory, but I know it’s difficult in practice.
But talk about practice. The Wildcats are getting a big chance to practice taking shots against a very good team when the Illini come to town. A win there could or would completely change the momentum of this season for the Wildcats. That’s not to suggest that this team is floundering or struggling right now, it’s just to point out how that big win could set up this team well for an extended stretch of games in the Big Ten slate. But besides Illinois, these Wildcats have to play another home game, this time against the team below them in these rankings, (spoiler alert) Ohio State. If I’m Northwestern, (I’m not, but still) I’d like to at least have a 1-1 split this week. That’s the minimum for keeping steady, but a 2-0 week could work wonders. We’ll see what happens.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-2)
Record: 13-5 (3-4)
Last week: L at Michigan (65-73), W vs. Penn State (79-67)
Next week: at Nebraska (Jan. 23 – 7 p.m.), at Northwestern (Jan. 27 – 8:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Alabama
Bad losses: at Michigan, at Penn State
What scares me about this team (in a bad way) has been the lack of big wins, excluding the Alabama victory. What scares me about this team (in a good way) is the fact that they can rebound well while limiting fouls and turnovers. While they limited fouls and turnovers against Michigan, (13 and 4, respectively) they shot 12.0% from deep, which pretty much dooms any team to defeat, regardless of opponent. Every Buckeye not named Bruce Thornton shot 1-18 from three-point land. That’s just tough, and it led to a really bad loss. However, this group bounced back nicely with a win over a Penn State squad that had just beaten Wisconsin. Evan Mahaffey was efficient, shooting 6-9 from the field and leading both teams with 16 points, while Felix Okpara tallied 14 boards in what turned out to be a 43-36 margin on the glass in favor of Ohio State.
This week, the going gets tough. But when the going gets tough, the tough get going. (Do they say that in the Midwest?) The Buckeyes don’t play in Columbus again until next Tuesday, when they welcome Illinois to town. In the meantime, they’re traveling to Nebraska and Northwestern in a week in which they need to win at least one game to avoid falling to 3-6 in conference games. Not only would a win mean not losing, (obviously) but it would also add a quality win to the resume for these Buckeyes. Both Nebraska and Northwestern are solid programs, and a win this week would effectively double the amount of quality wins Ohio State has on the season.
7. Michigan State Spartans
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+1)
Record: 12-7 (4-4)
Last week: W vs. Minnesota (76-66), W at Maryland (61-59)
Next week: at #13 Wisconsin (Jan. 26 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: Baylor, Indiana State
Bad losses: N/A
Don’t look now, but Tom Izzo is coaching like it’s March while it’s still January. The Spartans have now won three games in a row, jumping back up the conference standings with a .500 record in Big Ten games at the moment. Izzo’s group defeated Minnesota by double-digits (10 points, but I’m technically not wrong) even while shooting 25.0% from deep. That’s because they dominated the turnover battle, forcing 19 Gopher turnovers while committing just five. That’s a sure-fire way to win a basketball game, and that’s how to win in March. But the next game against Maryland was a bit of a defensive (or offensive, depending on how you want to look at it) struggle, with Maryland destroying the Spartans in the rebounding battle by a margin of 37-22 and Michigan State responding by winning the turnover battle (again) by an 18-8 margin. No matter how you slice it up, two wins are two wins, and wins are what matter.
This week, it’s just one game on tap for the Spartans, a road trip up to Madison to take on the ranked Badgers on a Friday night. Wisconsin should be favored, but it would not be shocking to see Michigan State take this win with the way their defense has been playing lately. Believe it or not, the Wisconsin offense vs. MSU defense is a great matchup, not the other way around. Grab some popcorn. Or cheese curds. Readers, let me know what it is y’all snack on in the Great Lakes region.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
Last week’s ranking: 9 (+1)
Record: 11-7 (3-4)
Last week: W at Minnesota (86-77), L vs. #2 Purdue (70-84)
Next week: vs. Maryland (Jan. 24 – 7 p.m.), at Michigan (Jan. 27 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: Seton Hall, Nebraska
Bad losses: Michigan
I love how antithetical Iowa basketball is compared to the football team. On the field, it’s no offense, all defense, but on the court it’s all offense, no defense, which is objectively so much more fun. Last week, we got to see the joy of these Hawkeyes scoring 86 on the road. I love it when the road team scores points in bunches, it’s good for basketball. Ben Krikke led the way with 25 points, while Josh Dix scored 21. And the fact that Iowa only shot 23.1% from deep didn’t matter, because Minnesota ended up even worse at 17.2%. However, the good vibes did not extend to the game against Zach Edey and Purdue, as the Boilermakers out-rebounded the Hawkeyes 50-24. That’s a double-up, and honestly all that needs to be said about that game. Quick shoutout to Tony Perkins, who scored 24 for Iowa.
This week, the Hawkeyes are staying home early in the week for a date with the Terps, a game that this team should win. The road calls, however, later in the week, but it’s just Juwan Howard. This is an opportunity to build some solid momentum right now. Maryland and Michigan, right now, are not tournament teams. That means two wins this week are a must. That would move Iowa to 13-7 and a spot or two higher in these rankings next week.
9. Indiana Hoosiers
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-2)
Record: 12-7 (4-4)
Last week: L vs. #2 Purdue (66-87), L at #11 Wisconsin (79-91)
Next week: at #10 Illinois (Jan. 27 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: Ohio State
Bad losses: at Rutgers
Can Indiana shoot the basketball from deep? The answer this week, surprisingly, was yes. Indiana shot 41.2% combined from deep against two ranked opponents, Purdue and Wisconsin. Unfortunately, despite some grit, that still resulted in two double-digit losses, one to Purdue at home and one at Wisconsin on the road. On the bright side, Malik Reneau scored 28 in the Wisconsin loss. But we move forward, as we have to do.
This week, Indiana has just one game, but it’s a tough test, a road matchup with Illinois. A win isn’t expected, but it would certainly be welcomed. It’s hard to get a feel on this Indiana team. They’re not exceptionally good, they’re not forcing a ton of turnovers but are still committing plenty, they’re horrible from the free-throw line and they only attempt 15.4 threes per game, 3.5 less than the next-closest team in the conference, Michigan State. The Hoosiers are sandwiched between Liberty and UMass in the KenPom ratings, and they have just one road win all season, against Michigan. But, despite that all, they do have talent on the roster. That’s the frustrating part.
10. Maryland Terrapins
Last week’s ranking: 11 (+1)
Record: 11-8 (3-5)
Last week: L at Northwestern (69-72), L vs. Michigan State (59-61)
Next week: at Iowa (Jan. 24 – 7 p.m.), vs. Nebraska (Jan. 27 – Noon)
Quality wins: at Illinois
Bad losses: UAB, Davidson
What’s worse than a one-possession loss? Two one-possession losses. Maryland found that out the hard way last week, but their road win over Illinois is still doing some heavy lifting here when it comes to the Big Ten Power Rankings. Wins over Northwestern and Michigan State would’ve moved this team to 13-6 overall and 5-3 with a possible NCAA tournament resume. Now, they’re not really in the discussion. Crazy how that works. My suggestion? Win the close games. But for what it’s worth, it was not Jahmir Young’s fault. The senior guard scored 36 points against Northwestern, then scored 19 on Michigan State. He’s dropped double-figures in all but one game so far this season, and has pushed his average up to 20.7 PPG, over seven points higher than the next-closest Terrapin and only trailing Zach Edey in the conference. That’s elite, y’all.
This week, Maryland has a chance to get back on track. Kevin Williard and Co. travel to Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes in a mid-week night matchup before a home noon game against Nebraska later on in the week. That might actually be beneficial for the Terrapins. Hear me out. Early east coast game against a CST team? That’s a whole hour head-start. If Maryland can take advantage of that, we can start a discussion. (Insert Charles Barkley discussion GIF.)
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-1)
Record: 12-6 (3-4)
Last week: L vs. Iowa (77-86), L at Michigan State (66-76)
Next week: vs. #13 Wisconsin (Jan. 23 – 7 p.m.), at Penn State (Jan. 27 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Nebraska
Bad losses: Missouri
I thought to myself earlier in the season that Minnesota was one of the better stories in college basketball this year, and that Ben Johnson was saving his job in Minneapolis this winter. Well, the latter clause may still ring true, but these Gophers have been anything but golden in the midst of their cold streak. That includes three losses in a row to Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan State, with just one by single-digits. How have the Gophers been shooting it from deep recently? 15.0%, 17.2%, and 35.0%. The 35% game was nice, but it was pretty much negated by 19 Gopher turnovers. On the bright side, as we try to find a copper lining, Dawson Garcia dropped a 30-piece on Iowa.
This week, Johnson and Company have a crucial home game against Wisconsin, one that could really strengthen their resume once March rolls around. That’s followed by a very winnable road game at Penn State. This seems like make-or-break territory here for Coach Johnson. A 2-0 week would entail a 14-6 record overall and a 5-4 conference record, in the mix for a tournament bid. An 0-2 week would mean a 12-8 record overall, a 3-6 conference record, and a possible mid-season call to Niko Medved. It’s game time, Gophers. Let’s steady the course.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last week’s ranking: 13 (+1)
Record: 9-10 (3-5)
Last week: W vs. #11 Wisconsin (87-83), L at Ohio State (67-79)
Next week: vs. Minnesota (Jan. 27 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: Wisconsin, Ohio State
Bad losses: Bucknell, at Maryland, Georgia Tech, VCU
With hesitancy, I declare this week a “good week” for Penn State basketball. They get a gold star and brownie points, redeemable at the Power Rankings gift shop. That’s what happens when the Nittany Lions are the only Big Ten team with a ranked win in a week, and while it didn’t carry over to the Ohio State game, we can examine the Wisconsin game a bit further. Kanye Clary dropped a slight 27 on the Badgers, and while the Nittany Lions were outrebounded by a 36-25 margin, they limited turnovers, which was the key in a four-point game.
This week, Penn State plays Minnesota, and there’s hope that they can keep the good vibes going. It’s at home, after all. Big performances from Kanye Clary and Ace Baldwin Jr. could really propel this squad into the second half of the conference season, and as crazy as this is to say, the season isn’t over. It’s still January, and every game is worth fighting for.
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-1)
Record: 10-8 (2-5)
Last week: W vs. Nebraska (87-82), L at Illinois (63-86)
Next week: vs. #2 Purdue (Jan. 28 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: at Seton Hall, Nebraska
Bad Losses: N/A
I am shocked. As an avid Rutgers fan, (I’ve never stepped foot in New Jersey) I did not think this program was capable of beating Fred Hoiberg. But they did, and thus earned the 13th spot in this edition of the Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings. It took a comeback and a solid five minutes in overtime, and the Scarlet Knights got the job done. While they couldn’t replicate that success against Illinois later on in the week, they effectively doubled their Big Ten win total, which keeps them out of last place in this group of teams.
This week, Rutgers faces off against one team. It’s Purdue. Coincidentally, the team below them also faces off against Purdue. Whichever team gives them the best fight will likely be 13th, while one unlucky team will end up last in these rankings. I think Rutgers has a better chance of keeping it close, but Michigan gets the Boilermakers at home, so all bets are off.
14. Michigan Wolverines
Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)
Record: 7-11 (2-5)
Last week: W vs. Ohio State (73-65), L vs. Illinois (73-88)
Next week: at #2 Purdue (Jan. 23 – 9 p.m.), vs. Iowa (Jan. 27 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: at St. John’s, at Iowa, Ohio State
Bad losses: Long Beach State, at Maryland, Penn State
Boldly, in my first week as writer of the Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings, I am calling for the end of the Juwan Howard era. Now, that’s not to suggest his tenure has only been filled with self-inflicted punches. There were difficulties within the admissions department that made getting transfers unnecessarily difficult, and that dominoed into other roster struggles. But the author will still suggest that Howard had one punch too many (0:32 mark by the way) and that it’s time for a changing of the guard. Josh Schertz, anyone? (Make the call, Michigan.)
Let’s give credit where it’s due, though, and we do need to congratulate Michigan for beating rivals Ohio State in a game in which the Wolverines had a 52.2 3PT% compared to a 12.0 3PT% from the Buckeyes. Olivier Nkamhoua (former SEC contributor) and Terrance Williams II combined for 38, which was great, as was a 7-10-4 statline from Nimari Burnett. You could make a case that besides the win over Saint John’s, this Michigan game was their best performance of the season. Unfortunately, it was followed up with a loss to Illinois in which the Illini beat the Wolverines in basically every important stat category. Well, you can’t win ‘em all.