By Amelia Rayno How close in talent level are Big Ten champions Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan? Well, nationally, there are just four spots – 7 through 10 -- that separate them in the AP rankings at regular season's end. It should be an interesting Big Ten tournament this year, especially with Indiana jumping up three spots to join Wisconsin in the top 15.

One other note of interest: behind former Gopher Royce White, Iowa State jumped in the rankings – at No. 25 -- for the first time since November of 2005. 1. Kentucky (30-1) 2. Syracuse (30-1) 3. Kansas (26-5) 4. North Carolina (27-4) 5. Missouri (27-4) 6. Duke (26-5) 7. Ohio State (25-6) 8. Michigan State (24-7) 9. Marquette (25-6) 10. Michigan (23-8) 11. Murray State (30-1) 12. Baylor (25-6) 13. Georgetown (22-7) 14. Wisconsin (23-8) 15. Indiana (24-7) 16. Wichita State (27-5) 17. Florida State (21-9) 18. San Diego State (24-6) 19. Creighton (28-5) 20. UNLV (25-7) 21. Temple (24-6) 22. Florida (22-9) 23. Notre Dame (21-10) 24. Gonzaga (25-5) 25. Iowa State (22-9)