Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Vol. 14): Battle For Top-4 Seed Heating Up

Purdue appears on a path to a second consecutive Big Ten title. Illinois is probably locked into the No. 2 spot. As for the final two double-byes in the conference tournament? Northwestern, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State and Minnesota are in the mix.

Dustin Schutte | Feb 26, 2024

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Vol. 14): Battle For Top-4 Seed Heating Up /

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Winning a Big Ten regular season is the primary goal of every team in the conference entering a college basketball season. But if there's a secondary goal, it's finishing in one of the top-four spots of the league standings, securing a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

As we head into the final two weeks of the season, Purdue has separated itself at the top of the conference. Illinois is (probably) locked into the No. 2 spot. As for the final third and fourth seeds in the Big Ten Tournament? Those are up for grabs.

Wisconsin and Northwestern currently occupy those two spots with 10-6 records in conference play. Nebraska is lurking at 10-7 and Michigan State (9-8) and Minnesota (8-8) aren't entirely out of the picture just yet. It creates for an interesting final stretch of the Big Ten season.

Now that you know the rundown, here's a look at the latest Big Ten power rankings:

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Records: 25-3 overall, 14-3 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP Poll: No. 2; Coaches Poll: No. 3; KenPom: No. 2
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 1 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 11 Gonzaga; Beat No. 7 Tennessee; Beat No. 4 Marquette; Beat No. 1 Arizona; Beat No. 9 Illinois; Beat No. 6 Wisconsin; Lost to Ohio State.
Last week: Beat Rutgers 96-68; Beat Michigan 84-76.
This week: Michigan State on Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: Fox).
The skinny: With only three regular season games left, Purdue is in complete control of the Big Ten. The Boilers picked up two wins last week over Rutgers and Michigan. Camden Heide gave Purdue a big boost off the bench against the Scarlet Knights, scoring 18 points in the victory. Zach Edey did Zach Edey things in Ann Arbor, scoring 35 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in a win over Ann Arbor. The Boilermakers do have a tough stretch to close the season, playing Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin in final three games.

2. Illinois Fighting Illini

Records: 20-7 overall, 11-5 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: No. 13; Coaches: No. 16; KenPom: No. 10
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 2 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 11 Florida Atlantic; Beat Northwestern; Lost to Maryland.
Last week: Lost to Penn State 90-89; Beat Iowa 95-85.
This week: Minnesota on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Wisconsin on Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: A mid-week loss to Penn State essentially ended Illinois' hopes of winning a Big Ten title this year. The Illini blew a seven-point lead in the final 40 seconds, one of the most heartbreaking losses of the year. They did bounce back with a win over Iowa over the weekend, thanks to a 30-point afternoon from Coleman Hawkins. With Wisconsin, Purdue and Iowa still left on the schedule, the Illini still have a chance to add some marquee wins to the resumé.

3. Northwestern Wildcats

Records: 19-8 overall, 10-6 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: Received 1 vote; Coaches: Received 3 votes; KenPom: No. 43
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 4 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Chicago State; Beat Michigan State; Beat No. 10 Illinois; Lost to Rutgers.
Last week: Beat Michigan 76-62.
This week: At Maryland on Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Iowa on Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: A shoutout goes to Boo Buie, who became Northwestern's all-time leading scorer last week, passing John Shurna. The Wildcats haven't played the best competition in the last two games — beating Indiana and Michigan — but they've found ways to get victories without Ty Berry in the lineup. Ryan Langborg has really stepped up in the last two games, scoring 46 total points in the last two victories.

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Records: 20-8 overall, 10-7 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: Received 7 votes; Coaches: Received 8 votes; KenPom: No. 34
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 5 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Michigan State; Beat Kansas State; Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Rutgers; Beat Northwestern; Beat No. 6 Wisconsin.
Last week: Beat Indiana 85-70; Beat Minnesota 73-55.
This week: At Ohio State on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1); Rutgers on Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: At long last, Nebraska can finally add a Big Ten road win to its tournament resumé. A pair of wins over Indiana (at Assembly Hall) and Minnesota has the Huskers in prime position to snag one of the top-four seeds and get a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Nebraska has now won four straight games, the longest current streak in the conference. Fred Hoiberg's team is playing its best basketball at exactly the right time.

5. Wisconsin Badgers

Records: 18-9 overall, 10-6 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: Received 42 votes; Coaches: Received 20 votes; KenPom: No. 22
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 6 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 24 Virginia; Beat No. 3 Marquette; Beat Michigan State (twice); Beat Nebraska; Lost to Penn State; Lost to Michigan; Lost to Rutgers.
Last week: Beat Maryland 74-70.
This week: At Indiana on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); Illinois on Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Even though it's been a rocky month for Wisconsin, it is coming off an important week. The Badgers got an important victory over Maryland before getting a seven-day break from the hardwood. This might provide Greg Gard's team with some needed rest and an opportunity to finish the regular season strong. Wisconsin also did a much better job at getting to the free throw line against Maryland, a talking point Gard has been harping on recently.

6. Iowa Hawkeyes

Records: 16-12 overall, 8-9 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 49
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 7 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Seton Hall. Beat Nebraska. Lost to Indiana; Beat Michigan State.
Last week: Beat Michigan State 78-71; Lost to Illinois 95-85.
This week: Penn State on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Northwestern on Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: The Iowa roller coaster continues to roll on. The Hawkeyes got a huge road win over Michigan State on Tuesday but couldn't pull off the upset against the Fighting Illini in Champaign. Only three games remain on Iowa's schedule, and it probably needs all three to be in the NCAA Tournament discussion. It won't be easy, hosting Penn State and traveling to Northwestern before closing out the year against Illinois in Iowa City.

7. Michigan State Spartans

Records: 17-11 overall, 9-8 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 20
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 3 (Down 4 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 6 Baylor; Beat No. 10 Illinois; Lost to Ohio State.
Last week: Lost to Iowa 78-71; Lost to Ohio State 60-57.
This week: At Purdue on Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: Fox).
The skinny: Does anyone know what's happening with Michigan State? One minute, it seems like the Spartans finally have gotten it together. Then, they drop back-to-back home games to Iowa and Ohio State. Right now, it feels like Michigan State's NCAA Tournament streak (26 straight seasons with an appearance) is in serious jeopardy.

8. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Records: 17-10 overall, 8-8 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 67
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 8 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to San Francisco; Beat Nebraska; Lost to Indiana; Beat Northwestern; Beat Michigan State.
Last week: Beat Ohio State 88-79; Lost to Nebraska 73-55.
This week: At Illinois on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Penn State on Saturday, 3:15 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Minnesota's week ended on a sour note, dropping a 73-55 decision to Nebraska in Lincoln, but the Golden Gophers have still enjoyed a solid February. Along with Dawson Garcia, Minnesota has seen growth out of Elijah Hawkins and Cam Christie this season. The Gophers face another tough test this week, traveling to Champaign for a showdown with Illinois.

9. Penn State Nittany Lions

Records: 14-14 overall, 8-9 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 91
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 10 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to VCU; Lost to Bucknell; Beat No. 11 Wisconsin.
Last week: Beat Illinois 90-89; Beat Indiana 83-74.
This week: At Iowa on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network). At Minnesota on Saturday, 3:15 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Obviously, 14-14 isn't the best record you can have at this point in the season, but Penn State continues to be one of the most fun teams in the Big Ten to watch. Are the Nittany Lions inconsistent? Yes. But they also upset Illinois in thrilling fashion and got a home win over Indiana, going 2-0 last week. Both Ace Baldwin Jr. and Nick Kern Jr. have stepped up in a big way since Kanye Clary's dismissal from the program.

10. Ohio State Buckeyes

Records: 16-12 overall, 6-11 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 62
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 13 (Up 3 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 17 Alabama; Lost to Penn State; Lost to Michigan; Lost to Indiana; Beat No. 2 Purdue; Beat Michigan State
Last week: Lost to Minnesota 88-79; Beat Michigan State 60-57.
This week: Nebraska on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1); Michigan on Sunday, 4 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
The skinny: It's unlikely that Ohio State names Jake Diebler its permanent head coach, but he's helped lead the Buckeyes to two of their biggest wins of the season — upsetting Purdue at home and beating Michigan State on the road. The Buckeyes are continuing to play hard, despite the midseason changes. Ohio State has two important games coming up, both home contests against Nebraska and Michigan.

11. Maryland Terrapins

Records: 15-13 overall, 7-10 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 44
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 12 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Davidson; Lost to UAB; Beat No. 10 Illinois; Beat Nebraska; Lost to Rutgers; Lost to Ohio State.
Last week: Lost to Wisconsin 74-70; Beat Rutgers 63-46.
This week: Northwestern on Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Indiana on Sunday, 2 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
The skinny: Maryland picked up just its second win on February with a 63-46 road win over Rutgers on Sunday. The highlight of the week was Jordan Geronimo, who posted his first double-double of the season with the Terrapins, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the win.

12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Records: 14-13 overall, 6-10 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 94
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 9 (Down 3 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Princeton; Beat Nebraska; Beat No. 11 Wisconsin; Lost to Maryland.
Last week: Lost to Purdue 96-68; Lost to Maryland 63-46.
This week: Michigan on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1); At Nebraska on Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: A really rough week last week, getting blown out at Purdue and dropping a home game to Maryland. Rutgers has now dropped three straight games. The Scarlet Knights haven't shot the ball well (shocking) and have been outrebounded in each of the last three games. That's a recipe for disaster in the Big Ten.

13. Indiana Hoosiers

Records: 14-13 overall, 6-10 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 105
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 11 (Down 2 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Rutgers; Lost to Penn State (twice).
Last week: Lost to Nebraska 85-70; Lost to Penn State 83-74.
This week: Wisconsin on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); At Maryland on Sunday, 2 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
The skinny: Indiana is an Anthony Leal 3-pointer away from being 0-6 in February. Guard play continues to kill Indiana, which is now just simply fighting for a spot in the NIT. Calling this season a disappointment would be a huge understatement for the Hoosiers.

14. Michigan Wolverines

Records: 8-20 overall, 3-14 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: 109
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 14 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Long Beach State; Lost to McNeese; Lost to Rutgers; Beat No. 11 Wisconsin.
Last week: Lost to Northwestern 76-62; Lost to Purdue 84-76.
This week: At Rutgers on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1); At Ohio State on Sunday, 4 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
The skinny: If you're looking for a bright spot, it's that Michigan put up a tough fight against Purdue on Sunday, giving the Boilermakers a lot of trouble for 40 minutes. There's really not much else to say.