Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Vol. 9): Major Logjam Outside Top-3 Teams

Purdue, Wisconsin and Illinois seem to have separated from the rest of the Big Ten. What's that mean for the other 11 teams in the conference? There's a major logjam from Nos. 4-14.

Dustin Schutte | Jan 22, 2024

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings (Vol. 9): Major Logjam Outside Top-3 Teams /

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We're approaching the halfway point of the Big Ten basketball season and it feels safe to assume that the top-three teams in the league have clearly created separation. Purdue, Wisconsin and Illinois seem to have solidified themselves in the top tier of the conference.

As for Nos. 4-14? There's a pretty significant logjam. Nebraska and Northwestern have played extremely well at home, but struggle on the road.

After digging pretty big holes to open conference play, Michigan State and Iowa are starting to re-emerge as NCAA Tournament teams. Despite solid starts, Indiana, Minnesota and Ohio State have stumbled recently.

So, following another interesting week in Big Ten play, let's try to sort out the power rankings.

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Records: 17-2, 6-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP Poll: No. 2; Coaches Poll: No. 2; 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.
Last week: Beat Indiana 87-66; Beat Iowa 84-70.
This week: Michigan on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); At Rutgers on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: Fox).
The skinny: Ever since the upset loss to Nebraska, Purdue has looked like a team on a mission. The Boilermakers have defeated Penn State, Indiana and Iowa by an average margin of victory of 17.3 points per game. Plus, Zach Edey has recorded a 30-point double-double in each of the last three contests. When the reigning National Player of the Year is performing at that level, Purdue is almost impossible to beat.

2. Wisconsin Badgers

Records: 14-4 overall, 6-1 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: No. 13; Coaches: No. 10; KenPom: No. 11
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 2 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 24 Virginia; Beat No. 3 Marquette; Beat Michigan State; Beat Nebraska; Lost to Penn State.
Last week: Lost to Penn State 87-83; Beat Indiana 91-79.
This week: At Minnesota on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Michigan State on Friday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Winning on the road is no easy task in the Big Ten. Wisconsin finally learned that lesson, falling 87-83 to Penn State. The Badgers responded nicely, scoring 91 points in a win over Indiana — their highest point total against a Big Ten team this season. Although he's averaging just 9.9 points for the season, Max Klesmit has shined in the last four games, averaging 19.5 points per game in that stretch, including a pair of 20-plus-point performances.

3. Illinois Fighting Illini

Records: 14-4 overall, 5-2 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: No. 10; Coaches: No. 11; KenPom: No. 9
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 3 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 11 Florida Atlantic; Beat Northwestern; Lost to Maryland.
Last week: Beat Michigan 88-73; Beat Rutgers 86-63.
This week: At Northwestern on Wednesday, 9 p.m. (TV: Big Ten Network); Indiana on Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (TV: Fox).
The skinny: Illinois rattled off two solid wins last weekend after an unexpected home loss to Maryland. The combination of Quincy Guerrier and Coleman Hawkins has been incredibly effective for Brad Underwood's team, especially in the win over Michigan. Terrence Shannon Jr. also returned from suspension on Sunday, scoring 16 points off the bench in a blowout victory over Rutgers.

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Records: 14-5 overall, 4-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 49
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 5 (Up 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Michigan State; Beat Kansas State; Beat Indiana. Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Rutgers
Last week: Lost to Rutgers 87-82 (OT); Beat Northwestern 75-69.
This week: Ohio State on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); At Maryland on Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: When Nebraska is on its home court, it can beat anyone in the country. When the Huskers are away from Pinnacle Bank Arena, they can lose to anyone in the country. Fred Hoiberg's team split last week's pair of games, falling to Rutgers on the road and beating Northwestern at home. At some point, Nebraska needs to get a Big Ten road win. But right now, this team is still in good tournament shape.

5. Northwestern Wildcats

Records: 13-5 overall, 4-3 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 59
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 4 (Down 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 1 Purdue; Lost to Chicago State; Beat Michigan State.
Last week: Beat Maryland 72-69; Lost to Nebraska 75-69.
This week: Illinois on Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Ohio State on Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Because of the way Northwestern defends and protects the basketball, the Wildcats are a threat to win a lot of games. But consistency shooting the basketball has been an issue, and it cost them against Nebraska, turning the Huskers over 18 times.

6. Michigan State Spartans

Records: 12-7 overall, 4-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: Received 3 votes; Coaches: Received 2 votes; KenPom: No. 19
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 9 (Up 3 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 6 Baylor.
Last week: Beat Minnesota 76-66; Beat Maryland 61-59.
This week: At Wisconsin on Friday, 8 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Dare I ask this question again: Has Michigan State finally figured it out? We believed that was the case after the Spartans obliterated Baylor back in December, but this team still struggled in conference play. Michigan State has ripped off three straight wins over Rutgers, Minnesota and Maryland. No, that's not great competition, but perhaps its the boost the team needs to start playing better basketball.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

Records: 11-7 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 45
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 11 (Up 4 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Seton Hall. Beat Nebraska.
Last week: Beat Minnesota 86-77; Lost to Purdue 84-70.
This week: Maryland on Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Michigan on Saturday, 5 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: Iowa is another team that seems to be figuring things out. After an 0-3 start to Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes have won three of their last four conference games, with the lone loss coming to Purdue. The Hawkeyes averaged over 88 points per game in those three victories, shooting 46% or better from the floor in wins over Rutgers, Nebraska and Minnesota.

8. Indiana Hoosiers

Records: 12-7 overall, 4-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 96
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 6 (Down 2 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat Ohio State; Lost to Rutgers.
Last week: Lost to Purdue 87-66; Lost to Wisconsin 91-79.
This week: At Illinois on Saturday, 3 p.m. ET (TV: Fox).
The skinny: A week off came at exactly the right time for Indiana. After jumping out to a 4-2 record in league play, the Hoosiers lost back-to-back games to Purdue and Wisconsin, not putting up much of a fight in either contest. Plus, the Hoosiers have been hit with seven flagrant fouls this season — the most in college basketball. Mike Woodson has a lot more to address than just poor play.

9. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Records: 12-6 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 93
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 7 (Down 2 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to San Francisco; Beat Nebraska.
Last week: Lost to Iowa 86-77; Lost to Michigan State 76-66.
This week: Wisconsin on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); At Penn State on Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: At one time, Minnesota looked like one of the more dangerous teams in the Big Ten. The Gophers opened Big Ten play winning three of their first four games, but have recently hit a three-game snag. This is still a work-in-progress for Ben Jones, but his team is still in a much better spot than it was a season ago. Plus, Minnesota has a chance to get back on track in a big way, hosting rival Wisconsin on Tuesday.

10. Ohio State Buckeyes

Records: 13-5 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 44
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 8 (Down 2 spots)
Best wins/worst losses: Beat No. 17 Alabama; Lost to Penn State. Lost to Michigan.
Last week: Lost to Michigan 73-65; Beat Penn State 79-67.
This week: At Nebraska on Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); At Northwestern on Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: The biggest issue with Ohio State right now? Closing games. With Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Zed Key and Jamison Battle on the roster, the Buckeyes have an incredible amount of talent. But in the final stretch of the second half, Ohio State still struggles to put games away. After losing three straight, the Buckeyes finally got back in the win column by beating Penn State at home.

11. Maryland Terrapins

Records: 11-8 overall, 3-5 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 68
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 10 (Down 1 spot)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Davidson; Lost to UAB; Beat No. 10 Illinois.
Last week: Lost to Northwestern 72-69; Lost to Michigan State 61-59.
This week: At Iowa on Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network); Nebraska on Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Remember when Maryland got that big road win over Illinois? Well, the Terrapins couldn't bottle that success. Although they've played much better recently, the Terps dropped games to Northwestern and Michigan State by a combined five points. Because the Terps got off to such a slow start, they're running out of time to add quality wins to the resumé.

12. Penn State Nittany Lions

Records: 9-10 overall, 3-5 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 109
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 12 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to VCU; Lost to Bucknell; Beat Ohio State; Beat No. 11 Wisconsin.
Last week: Beat Wisconsin 87-83; Lost to Ohio State 79-67.
This week: Minnesota on Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network).
The skinny: Let's ignore the loss to Ohio State, because the midweek victory over Wisconsin was a big deal for Mike Rhoades' team this season. Kanye Clary and Ace Baldwin Jr. combined for 47 points, leading the Nittany Lions to a big-time win. Even though Penn State is 9-10, this has turned into a fun season for a team that had very little expectation entering the year.

13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Records: 10-8 overall, 2-5 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: No. 94
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 13 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Princeton; Beat Nebraska.
Last week: Beat Nebraska 87-82 (OT); Lost to Illinois 86-63.
This week: Purdue on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (TV: Fox).
The skinny: As the Scarlet Knights get healthier, they get better in the rebounding category. That has helped Rutgers in some regard, but the poor shooting continues to hinder the team. Wednesday's win over Nebraska in overtime was a nice jolt, but Sunday's performance against Illinois was disappointing.

14. Michigan Wolverines

Records: 7-11 overall, 2-5 in Big Ten
Rankings: AP: NR; Coaches: NR; KenPom: 79
Last Week's Power Ranking: No. 14 (No change)
Best wins/worst losses: Lost to Long Beach State; Lost to McNeese; Beat Ohio State; Beat Iowa.
Last week: Beat Ohio State 73-65; Lost to Illinois 88-73.
This week: At Purdue on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET (TV: Peacock); Iowa on Saturday, 5 p.m. ET (TV: Fox Sports 1).
The skinny: This season has been a disappointing one for Michigan, but the Wolverines did pick up a win over rival Ohio State on Monday — and in front of the Fab Five. That's been the lone bright spot for the Wolverines this year.