Big Ten men's basketball power rankings

March 8, 2019 at 4:12AM

1. Michigan St. (24-6, 15-4)

How do the Spartans forget about being swept by Indiana this season? Win at least a share of the Big Ten with a victory over Michigan on Saturday. (Previous rank: 1)

2. Michigan (26-4, 15-4)

The Wolverines aren't at full strength with senior wing Charles Matthews likely out until the Big Ten tourney. (2)

3. Purdue (22-8, 15-4)

The Boilermakers losing at Minnesota made for a three-way tie for first, but they still have the easiest matchup, at Northwestern. (3)

4. Maryland (21-9, 12-7)

The Terrapins will try to end a two-game slide by beating the Gophers on Friday. (4)

5. Wisconsin (21-9, 13-6)

The Badgers did their Twin Cities border rival a favor by beating Iowa and keeping the Gophers' chances alive for a Big Ten tournament sixth seed. (5)

6. Iowa (21-9, 10-9)

The Hawkeyes might not be dancing long if losses to Ohio State, Rutgers and Wisconsin are any indication. (6)

7. Minnesota (19-11, 9-10)

The Gophers got the Quadrant 1 win they needed to feel more comfortable about the NCAA tournament, but another likely would lock up an at-large bid. (8)

8. Penn State (13-17, 6-13)

The Nittany Lions have won four of their past five and talented enough with Lamar Stevens to make a run in the conference tournament. (10)

9. Ohio State (18-11, 8-11)

The suspension of Kaleb Wesson is moving the Buckeyes' NCAA tourney chances from decent to debatable. (7)

10. Rutgers (14-15, 7-12)

The Scarlet Knights couldn't finish a comeback in a one-point loss to Penn State on Wednesday. (9)

11. Indiana (16-14, 7-11)

The Hoosiers' six Quad 1 wins could make the selection committee consider picking a near-.500 team. (12)

12. Illinois (11-19, 7-12)

The Illini's loss to Indiana slows momentum going into the Big Ten tourney with basically a home court advantage in Chicago. (11)

13. Nebraska (15-15, 5-14)

The Cornhuskers are probably playing their final games under Tim Miles. (13)

14. Northwestern (13-17, 4-15)

Chris Collins tried to find positives during a 10-game losing streak, but nothing rewarded players more than winning Wednesday against Ohio State. (14)

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Ryan Estrada, P.J. Fleck’s 22nd commit for the class of 2026, rushed for 2,261 yards and 33 TDs in 2024 for El Dorado High School in El Paso, Texas.

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