Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Vol. 8): Wisconsin Up to No. 2 After 5-0 Start

Wisconsin is off to a 5-0 start and sits atop the Big Ten standings. Are the Badgers a challenger for the conference title? Plus, Maryland picks up a huge road win, Rutgers scores its first league victory of the season and Nebraska upsets Purdue.

Dustin Schutte | Jan 15, 2024

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Vol. 8): Wisconsin Up to No. 2 After 5-0 Start /

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Greg Gard deserves a lot of credit. Coming into the season, we didn't really know what to expect out of Wisconsin, but a few weeks into Big Ten play, the Badgers are the conference's last remaining undefeated team. Wisconsin owns a 5-0 record against league opponents, which includes road wins over Michigan State and Ohio State.

I'll be honest, because of Wisconsin's recent success, there was a temptation to put the Badgers in that No. 1 slot. But Purdue's overall resumé is still just too impressive to ignore, despite the 4-2 start in Big Ten play.

We saw some interesting movement this past week in the Big Ten. Here's what the power rankings look like heading into a new week.

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Records: 15-2, 4-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP Poll: No. 2; Coaches Poll: No. 2; KenPom: No. 3
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.
Last week: Lost to Nebraska 88-72; Beat Penn State 95-78.
This week: At Indiana on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); At Iowa on Saturday, 2 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Purdue's road woes continued on Tuesday, having no answer for a hot-shooting Nebraska team and dropping a second Big Ten game. The Boilers bounced back in a big way, pummeling Penn State thanks to a 30-point, 20-rebound effort from Zach Edey. This week, the Boilermakers have a chance to get some big road wins, playing Indiana and Iowa.

2. Wisconsin Badgers

Records: 13-3 overall, 5-0 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: No. 11; Coaches: No. 8; KenPom: No. 9
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 3 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 24 Virginia; Beat No. 3 Marquette; Beat Michigan State; Beat Nebraska.
Last week: Beat Ohio State 71-60; Beat Northwestern 71-63.
This week: At Penn State on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Indiana on Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Max Klesmit was a hero for the Badgers last week. He scored a total of 42 points in wins over Ohio State and Northwestern. What we're starting to see from Wisconsin is that it's a team with several weapons. Gard's team is playing well on both ends of the floor and continues to get production from new faces each and every night.

3. Illinois Fighting Illini

Records: 12-4 overall, 3-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: No. 14; Coaches: No. 14; KenPom: No. 13
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 2 (Down 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 11 Florida Atlantic; Beat Northwestern; Lost to Maryland.
Last week: Beat Michigan State 71-68; Lost to Maryland 76-67.
This week: At Michigan on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1); Rutgers on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: What is it with Maryland? After securing a key win over Michigan State earlier in the week, Illinois dropped a home contest to a struggling Terps team. The Illini have now lost 10-of-12 to the Terrapins. Illinois should have an easier week ahead, playing Michigan and Rutgers, teams that are a combined 2-8 in Big Ten games this season.

4. Northwestern Wildcats

Records: 12-4 overall, 3-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 54
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 4 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Chicago State; Beat Michigan State.
Last week: Beat Penn State 76-72; Lost to Wisconsin 71-63.
This week: Maryland on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Nebraska on Saturday, 2:15 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: In the Big Ten, splitting a pair of road games is a win. That's what Northwestern did last week, beating Penn State before falling to Wisconsin. Brooks Barnhizer gave the Wildcats a huge effort in the win over the Nittany Lions, scoring a career-high 23 points. Northwestern returns home for a game against Maryland before another huge road test against Nebraska.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Records: 13-4 overall, 3-3 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: Received 2 votes; KenPom: No. 49
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 6 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Michigan State; Beat Kansas State; Beat Indiana. Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Iowa.
Last week: Beat Purdue 88-72; Lost to Iowa 94-76.
This week: At Rutgers on Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Northwestern on Saturday, 2:15 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: The Huskers secured the biggest program win in four decades last week, topping No. 1 Purdue in impressive fashion. It was a huge resumé booster for Nebraska's NCAA Tournament odds. Fred Hoiberg's team followed it up with a less-than-stellar road performance, falling 94-76 to Iowa. Nebraska is a quality team but needs to put together better performances away from Lincoln.

6. Indiana Hoosiers

Records: 12-5 overall, 4-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 91
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 7 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Ohio State; Lost to Rutgers.
Last week: Lost to Rutgers 66-57; Beat Minnesota 74-62.
This week: Purdue on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); At Wisconsin on Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: After an ugly outing against Rutgers, Indiana responded nicely in a home win against Minnesota. The Hoosiers got great production from their starters, with four guys reaching double-digits. IU looks like two completely different teams at home and on the road. Fortunately, Indiana gets in-state rival Purdue in Bloomington on Tuesday.

7. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Records: 12-4 overall, 3-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 84
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 5 (Down 2 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to San Francisco; Beat Nebraska.
Last week: Lost to Indiana 74-62.
This week: Iowa on Monday, 6 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Michigan State on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Minnesota's winning streak ended at seven games, falling to Indiana. It was a slightly disappointing performance, since the Gophers had all week to prepare for the Hoosiers. Outside of Joshua Ola-Joseph and Dawson Garcia, Minnesota's starting lineup was virtually ineffective against Indiana. How will Ben Johnson's team respond after a road loss?

8. Ohio State Buckeyes

Records: 12-4 overall, 2-3 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 42
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 8 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 17 Alabama; Lost to Penn State.
Last week: Lost to Wisconsin 71-60.
This week: At Michigan on Monday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: Fox); Penn State on Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: It's been tough sledding for Chris Holtmann's squad the last two games. The Buckeyes couldn't get an important home victory over a ranked Wisconsin squad, dropping their second straight game. Ohio State has shot poorly from 3-point range the last two games, posting marks under 34% in the losses.

9. Michigan State Spartans

Records: 10-7 overall, 2-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 16
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 9 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 6 Baylor.
Last week: Lost to Illinois 71-68; Beat Rutgers 73-55.
This week: Minnesota on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1); At Maryland on Sunday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
The skinny: Michigan State looked better in its last two games, but it still wasn't able to pull out the road win against Illinois. The Spartans are more than capable of ripping off big wins and making a late-season charge, but this team continues to struggle with consistency. Maybe the dominant performance against Rutgers can provide the Spartans with a spark.

10. Maryland Terrapins

Records: 11-6 overall, 3-3 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 68
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 11 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Davidson; Lost to UAB; Beat No. 10 Illinois.
Last week: Beat Michigan 64-57; Beat Illinois 76-67.
This week: At Northwestern on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Michigan State on Sunday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: CBS).
The skinny: Believe it or not, Maryland found a way to win an important road game without make 3-point shots. The Terrapins recorded the most important win over the season, knocking off Illinois in Champaign. The duo of Julian Reese and Jahmir Young was key, combining for 48 points. The Terps have now won back-to-back conference games.

11. Iowa Hawkeyes

Records: 10-6 overall, 2-3 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 47
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 12 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Seton Hall. Beat Nebraska.
Last week: Beat Nebraska 94-76.
This week: At Minnesota on Monday, 6 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Purdue on Saturday, 2 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Even though Iowa has struggled this season, you better be ready to defend the Hawkeyes. They dropped 94 on Nebraska, hitting 15-of-35 shots from deep and shooting 52.5% from the floor. Iowa has a chance to notch some big wins this week, playing Minnesota on the road and getting Purdue at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

12. Penn State Nittany Lions

Records: 8-9 overall, 2-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 114
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 10 (Down 2 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to VCU; Lost to Bucknell; Beat Ohio State.
Last week: Lost to Northwestern 76-72; Lost to Purdue 95-78.
This week: Wisconsin on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Ohio State on Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Not a great week for Penn State. After a tough home loss to Northwestern, the Nittany Lions turned around and got walloped by Purdue. The defense continues to turn teams over at a high clip, but the offense just hasn't been able to take advantage of the opportunities.

13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Records: 9-7 overall, 1-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 94
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 14 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Princeton; Lost to Iowa; Beat Indiana.
Last week: Beat Indiana 66-57; Lost to Michigan State 73-55.
This week: Nebraska on Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Illinois on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Welcome to the Big Ten win club, Rutgers! The Scarlet Knights picked up their first conference victory of the season, defeating Indiana. They controlled that game for a large majority, outrebounding the Hoosiers 52-40 and getting 15 more points from the free throw line. Unfortunately for Rutgers, that momentum didn't carry over to the road game against Michigan State.

14. Michigan Wolverines

Records: 6-10 overall, 1-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: 75
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 14 (Down 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Long Beach State; Lost to McNeese; Lost to Maryland.
Last week: Lost to Maryland 64-57.
This week: Ohio State on Monday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: Fox); Illinois on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Michigan can't seem to get anything going on the court. The Wolverines have lost five straight games and leading scorer Dug McDaniel (17.8 points per game) is suspended for the next six road games. It's been a rough year for Juwan Howard and Co., to say the least.