Big Ten Power Rankings (Vol. 7): Questioning Whether Purdue Really is League's Best Team

Purdue has lost to Indiana and Northwestern the past two weekends, and even though the Boilermakers still have a two-game lead in the Big Ten, they've really looked beatable lately. Can they hang on, or will they blow it again like they did last year? Here's our latest power rankings, with this week's schedule and a breakdown on each team.

We're starting to see some kinks in the armor with Purdue, who's looked like the best team in the Big Ten for several months now, but not so much lately.

The Boilermakers have lost at Indiana and Northwestern in the past 10 days, and got a serious scare at home from an Iowa team that turned them over 17 times with its press and scored 52 second-half points against what is supposed to be a good Boilermakers defense.

Here in mid-February, this is starting to look a lot like last year, where Purdue was clearly the best team in the league but then lost late to Wisconsin and Michigan State to blow their conference lead, finishing a game behind Illinois and Wisconsin for the crown. 

They were the best team in the Big Ten — and they didn't win the league title. Didn't win the conference tournament, either, and we're starting to see lately that people are starting to figure out the Boilers.

There are some folks out there who do power rankings based solely on the last game played, or the results of only the last week. I think it's clear that Indiana and Northwestern are playing great basketball right now, and it showed in the wins over Purdue.

But can I drop Purdue out of the top spot because of it?

I chewed on this one long and hard, and wanted to. But I just can't. The Boilers still have best overall resume — and let's not forget that they still have a two-game lead in the league standings with just five games to go. They have three losses, Indiana and Northwestern have seven. Simple math, folks.

So I'll leave them there now, but they are hanging by a thread.

Here are my rankings, with records, everyone's best win and loss so far, last week's results, this week's schedule with TV information and my take on all 14 teams so far. Let's go! Volume 8 will be released on Monday, Feb. 20.

1. Purdue Boilermakers

• Records: 23-3 overall, 12-3 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 1
• Highest/lowest ranking: 1/1
• Rankings: Currently No. 3 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls on Feb. 13, receiving two first-place votes in AP, and one in the Coaches poll. Purdue has spent seven weeks at No. 1 earlier in the year. Ranked No. 4 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 6 Gonzaga, Lost to Rutgers at home.
• Last week: Beat Iowa 87-73 on Thursday; Lost at Northwestern 64-58. 
• This week: At Maryland on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Ohio State on Sunday, 1 p.m, ET (TV: CBS).
• The skinny: Purdue hasn't been very impressive the past couple of weeks. They stayed No. 1 despite losing at Indiana but finally fell out of the top spot after losing to Northwestern. People are starting to figure out those freshman guards (Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer), and they're coming at Zach Edey from a lot of different directions. The Boilers need to regroup by Thursday for sure, because Maryland is still unbeaten at home in the league. Tough test, to be sure.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

• Records: 18-7 overall, 9-5 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 7
• Highest/lowest ranking: 2/11
• Rankings: Ranked No. 14 in the Associated Press poll and No. 15 in the Coaches poll after winning eight of nine games. Indiana was as high as No. 10 earlier in the year. Ranked No. 19 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 1 Purdue, lost at Penn State by 19.
• Last week: Beat No. 24 Rutgers 66-60 on Thursday; Won at Michigan 62-61 on Saturday.
• This week: At Northwestern on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Illinois on Saturday, Noon ET (TV: ESPN).
• The skinny: Indiana looks like the best team in the Big Ten right now, having won eight of nine games, and Trayce Jackson-Davis has been playing at an elite level. It's going to be interesting to see if they can keep it up through these final six games, not of which are easy. It's been an incredible turnaround, though, that's for sure.

Indiana forward Miller Kopp celebrates during the closing seconds of the Hoosiers' win over Michigan on Saturday night in Ann Arbor / © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

3. Northwestern Wildcats

• Records: 18-7 overall, 9-5 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 6
• Highest/lowest ranking: 3/12
• Rankings: Currently not ranked in either poll, but getting close. They are receiving votes in both polls and would be ranked No. 27 in AP and No. 26 in the Coaches poll. Ranked No. 47 in Kenpom.com.
• Best wins/worst loss: Beat No. 1 Purdue, beat No. 15 Indiana, lost at home to Ohio State by 16.
• Last week: Won at Ohio State 69-63; Beat No. 1 Purdue 64-58.
• This week: No. 14 Indiana on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Iowa on Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
• The skinny: Northwestern had never beaten an No. 1 team before knocking off Purdue on Sunday, and they are a legitimate threat now. Their guards — Boo Buie and Chase Audige — can take over games in a heartbeat. Why No. 3 you ask, instead of ahead of Indiana since they have the head-to-head edge? I factored it in, but I think Indiana's overall resume is still better. Very excited for the Wednesday matchup in Evanston.

4. Illinois Fighting Illini

• Records: 17-7 overall, 8-5 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 4
• Highest/lowest ranking: 3/7
• Rankings: Illinois is receiving votes in both polls and would be ranked No. 28 in both. Ranked No. 20 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 2 Texas, lost by 22 to Missouri.
• Last week: Beat No. 24 Rutgers 69-60 on Saturday. 
• This week: At Penn State on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: ESPNU); At No. 14 Indiana on Saturday, Noon ET (TV: ESPN)
• The skinny: Illinois had a week to rest up a bit, and it showed with a convincing win against Rutgers. This is still a very dangerous team, and they'll be looking to avenge that loss to Indiana on Saturday. Maybe double-team Trayce Jackson-Davis this time?

5. Michigan State Spartans

• Records: 16-9 overall, 8-6 in Big Ten
  
• Last week's ranking: 3
• Highest/lowest ranking: 2/8
• Rankings: Not receiving votes in either poll. Ranked No. 30 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 4 Kentucky, Lost to Notre Dame (184 in Kenpom)
• Last week: Beat Maryland 63-58 on Tuesday; Won at Ohio State 62-41.
• This week: Minnesota on Wednesday (cancelled). At Michigan on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (TV: FOX).
• The skinny: The shooting tragedy on Michigan State's campus puts a pall on any basketball talk. Thoughts and prayers to all involved in this senseless tragedy. Will it ever stop?

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

• Records: 16-9 overall, 8-6 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 2
• Highest/lowest ranking: 2/9
• Rankings: Rutgers is receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, and would be ranked No. 36 in the AP poll, and No. 31 in the Coaches poll. Ranked No. 16 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Temple (109 in Kenpom)
• Last week: Lost at No. 18 Indiana 66-60 on Tuesday; Lost to Illinois 69-60 on Saturday.
• This week: Nebraska on Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Wisconsin on Saturday, Noon ET (TV Big Ten Network)
• The skinny: Rutgers had a tough week on the road, which isn't uncommon for them. Losses at Indiana and Illinois dropped them several notches, but they have the easiest remaining schedule of the leaders, so they could very easily go on another run.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

• Records: 16-9 overall, 8-6 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 5
• Highest/lowest ranking: 5/12
• Rankings: Iowa is receiving votes in both polls and would be ranked No. 34 in the AP poll and No. 38 in Coaches. Ranked No. 34 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat Rutgers twice, lost to Eastern Illinois as 31.5-point favorites (No. 343 in Kenpom out of 363 teams)
• Last week: Lost at No. 1 Purdue 87-73 on Thursday; won at Minnesota 68-56.
• This week: Ohio State on Thursday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2); At Northwestern on Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
• The skinny: Iowa's press put a scare into Purdue, but it still wasn't enough. Still like this team, especially on the offensive end, and Sunday's game at Northwestern is really big.

8. Maryland Terrapins

• Records: 17-8 overall, 8-6 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 12
• Highest/lowest ranking: 4/12
• Rankings: Maryland is receiving votes in both polls. They would be ranked No. 38 in the AP poll, and No. 32 in the coaches poll. Ranked No. 25 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 16 Illinois, Lost by 35 at Michigan.
• Last week: Lost to Michigan State 63-58 on Tuesday; Beat Penn State 74-68 on Saturday.
• This week: No. 3 Purdue on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network): At Nebraska on Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (TV: FOX Sports 1).
• The skinny: Maryland is still unbeaten at home in the Big Ten, and the Terps get a shot at league-leader Purdue on Thursday. They've got all the other contenders rooting for them, that's for sure. 

9. Michigan Wolverines

• Records: 14-11 overall, 8-6 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 7
• Highest/lowest ranking: 7/11
• Rankings: Currently not ranked in either poll. Ranked No. 53 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat Maryland by 35, lost at Penn State by 22.
• Last week: Beat Nebraska 93-72 on Wednesday; lost to No. 18 Indiana 62-61 on Saturday.
• This week: At Wisconsin on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2); Michigan State on Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: FOX).
• The skinny: Michigan let one slip away Saturday against Indiana, and that loss will really hurt when it comes to postseason player. This is a big week, with a couple of swing games. They need to turn it around.

10. Penn State Nittany Lions

• Records: 14-11 overall, 5-9 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 10
• Highest/lowest ranking: 10/12
• Rankings: Currently not ranked in either poll. Ranked No. 55 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 17 Illinois, lost at Nebraska.
• Last week: Lost to Wisconsin 79-74 on Wednesday; lost to Maryland 74-68 on Saturday.
• This week: Illinois on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: ESPNU; At Minnesota on Saturday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
• The skinny: Penn State is really struggling, and it doesn't get any easier Tuesday night with Illinois. The Nittany Lions live and die with the three, and they need to get hot again.

11. Wisconsin Badgers

• Records: 14-10 overall, 6-8 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 9
• Highest/lowest ranking: 2/6
• Rankings: Not receiving votes in either poll. Ranked No. 71 in Kenpom.com.
• Best win/worst loss: Beat No. 13 Maryland, lost to Nebraska (102 in Kenpom)
• Last week: Won at Penn State 79-74 on Wednesday; Lost at Nebraska 73-63 on Saturday.
• This week: Michigan on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2); Rutgers on Saturday, Noon ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
• The skinny: Wisconsin was hoping to get things turned around, but that loss at Nebraska really hurt. This team isn't great, but they really aren't this bad, either, are they?

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers

• Records: 12-14 overall, 5-10 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 13
• Highest/lowest ranking: 13/13
• Rankings: Currently not ranked in either poll. Ranked No. 102 in Kenpom.com.
• Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 7 Creighton, lost to St. John's (89 in Kenpom), Memphis.
• Last week: Lost at Michigan 93-72 on Wednesday; Beat Wisconsin 73-63 on Saturday.
• This week: At Rutgers on Tuesday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Maryland on Sunday, 5 p.m. ET (TV: FOX Sports 1).
• The skinny: Finally, they did it! The Cornhuskers have moved up out of that No. 13 spots that seemed to be a fixture all season. Still not a good team, but that's five Big Ten wins now after the win over Wisconsin.

13. Ohio State Buckeyes

• Records: 11-14 overall, 3-11 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 11
• Highest/lowest ranking: 4/12
• Rankings: Currently not ranked in either poll. Ranked No. 51 in Kenpom.com.
• Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 21 Texas Tech, lost to Minnesota.
• Last week: Lost to Northwestern 69-63; Lost to Michigan State 62-41.
  
• This week: At Iowa on Thursday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: ESPN2): At No. 3 Purdue on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
• The skinny: Ohio State looked completely lost in that blowout by Michigan State, and at 3-11 in the Big Ten, this has turned into a real dumpster fire. I never saw this coming, that's for sure.

14. Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Records: 7-16 overall, 1-12 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week's ranking: 14
• Highest/lowest ranking: 14/14
• Rankings: Currently not ranked in either poll. Ranked No. 224 in Kenpom.com.
• Best wins/worst losses: Beat Ohio State, lost to Nebraska.
• Last week: Illinois on Tuesday (ppd. COVID); Lost to Iowa 68-56.
• This week: At Michigan State on Wednesday, (cancelled); Penn State on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
• The skinny: Minnesota is banged up and playing poorly, which is not a good combination. They do get a Penn State team in a lull too, so a weekend win at home would be worth celebrating.