Things can change fast from week-to-week in the Big Ten.
A week ago, Michigan State looked to be in the midst of a lull after another disappointing loss. However, this past week things changed for the Spartans with a pair of big-time victories.
The same kind of whirlwind — both good or bad — can be said for other teams in the Big Ten, including Rutgers, Indiana and Northwestern. See where the Michigan State and the rest of the Big Ten teams land in our latest batch of power rankings:
14
Minnesota
Record: 7-16 (1-12 in Big Ten)
Minnesota fought hard in their lone game this week — which was a road loss to Iowa. The Golden Gophers are clearly the worst team in the league right now, and there’s a notable gap between Minnesota and the next team.
13
Ohio State
Record: 11-14 (3-11 in Big Ten)
It was another week of bad basketball for Ohio State. The Buckeyes dropped two more games — both of which were at home — and now have lost 11 of their last 12. It’s alarming how quickly the wheels fell off for Ohio State in the last month and a half.
12
Penn State
Record: 14-11 (5-9 in Big Ten)
Penn State’s recent slump continued this week with the Nittany Lions dropping both of their games against Wisconsin and at Maryland. Penn State is on a four-game losing streak and it looks like they’ll be sitting on the sidelines during March Madness again this year.
11
Wisconsin
Record: 14-10 (6-8 in Big Ten)
Wisconsin has to be hurting today after letting a 17-point lead slip away in an overtime defeat at Nebraska. That’s a type of loss that essentially erases their impressive victory at Penn State earlier in the week and could keep the Badgers outside of the NCAA Tournament come Selection Sunday.
10
Nebraska
Record: 12-14 (5-9 in Big Ten)
Nebraska has quietly became a tough team to beat at home over the past few weeks. The Cornhuskers have won two of their last three games and have gained some momentum as we hit the final stretch of the season.
9
Michigan
Record: 14-11 (8-6 in Big Ten)
The Wolverines are playing better ball lately but Saturday’s loss to Indiana was a back breaker. Michigan blew a late lead in a game they needed to win to boost their NCAA Tournament resume, and now are in dire need of some marquee wins in the final weeks of the year.
8
Rutgers
Record: 16-9 (8-6 in Big Ten)
Rutgers played a pair of tough road games this week and came up short in both. The Scarlet Knights first fell at Indiana during the week and then dropped their weekend tilt on Saturday at Illinois. Rutgers will look to get back on track against Nebraska next week.
7
Maryland
Record: 17-8 (8-6 in Big Ten)
Maryland came up short in a nail-biter against Michigan State earlier in the week but rallied to beat a reeling Penn State squad on Saturday. The Terps are looking good to make the NCAA Tournament at this point in the year, with only a few more wins most likely clinching a berth.
6
Iowa
Record: 16-9 (8-6 in Big Ten)
Iowa had yet another up-and-down week with a road loss at Purdue but a victory over Minnesota on Sunday. While beating Purdue would have been nice, Iowa continues to take care of business in the games they should win and if they continue this trend they’ll easily be dancing in March.
5
Michigan State
Record: 16-9 (8-6 in Big Ten)
For the first time in over a month, Michigan State won consecutive games and finally had some consistency in a great week of play. The Spartans first topped Maryland during the week and followed it up with a dominant victory over Ohio State on Sunday. The Spartans will look to make it three-straight wins on Wednesday against Minnesota.
4
Northwestern
Record: 18-7 (9-5 in Big Ten)
It doesn’t get much better for Northwestern. The Wildcats picked up a nice road victory over Ohio State and upset No. 1 Purdue on Sunday to complete a great week of ball. The win over the Boilermakers may have just sealed up their second ever NCAA Tournament bid.
3
Illinois
Record: 17-7 (8-5 in Big Ten)
Illinois took care of business in their lone game this week — a home victory over Rutgers. Had the Fighting Illini not gotten off to such a bad start in league play, they’d be right in the hunt for a Big Ten title.
2
Indiana
Record: 18-7 (9-5 in Big Ten)
Indiana continues to find ways to win right now. The Hoosiers had a great week with a pair of quality wins — home vs. Rutgers and at Michigan. Indiana is clearly one of the best teams in the Big Ten right now and getting hot at the right time.
1
Purdue
Record: 22-3 (12-3 in Big Ten)
It’s a big deal anytime Purdue loses. The Boilermakers were upset at Northwestern on Sunday, but even with that loss they still hold a 2.5-game lead in the Big Ten title race. I personally have some concerns about the long-term success of Purdue in the NCAA Tournament but they still remain the best team in the Big Ten.
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