Big Ten men's basketball power rankings: Gophers fall, Wisconsin still near top
The Badgers were undefeated in Big Ten play before Penn State defeated them on Tuesday night.
January 17, 2024 at 2:04PM
1. Purdue (16-2, 5-2) – Boilermakers lost their No. 1 ranking nationally, but Zach Edey's 30-point, 20-rebound game vs. Penn State and 33-point, 14-rebound game vs. Indiana keeps them on top of the power rankings.
2. Wisconsin (13-4, 5-1) – Badgers couldn't stay unbeaten in Big Ten play falling at Penn State. But road wins at Ohio State and Michigan State were impressive.
3. Illinois (12-4, 3-2) – The third Big Ten team ranked in the top 25 still has a lot to prove playing without suspended star Terrence Shannon Jr., but the pieces are there to stay relevant in the title race.
4. Northwestern (12-4, 3-2) – The Wildcats need another marquee win to go with the Purdue upset to make a case to be a title contender.
5. Indiana (12-6, 4-3) – The Hoosiers got clobbered against rival Purdue, but their frontcourt can hang with anyone not named Zach Edey.
6. Iowa (11-6, 3-3) – The Hawkeyes can score with anyone in the Big Ten and found their frontcourt with Ben Krikke and Owen Freeman.
7. Nebraska (13-4, 3-3) – Don't overreact, Gophers fans. You beat the Huskers, but they also have wins against Purdue, Indiana and Michigan State.
8. Maryland (11-6, 3-3) – Terrapins are another team that lost to the Gophers, but they have an impressive road win at Illinois that sets them apart.
9. Ohio State (12-5, 2-4) – The Buckeyes seemed to be reeling with three straight losses, but the talent is there to turn things around quickly.
10. Michigan State (10-7, 2-4) – Winning six of the last eight games, the Spartans picked up momentum after the worst start since Tom Izzo's first season.
11. Gophers (12-5, 3-3) – Dawson Garcia has scored 30 points twice this season, but Ben Johnson's team lost both times. They need other consistent options.
12. Penn State (9-9, 3-4) – The Nittany Lions got their first signature win of the Mike Rhoades era with the upset Tuesday over No. 11 Wisconsin at home.
13. Michigan (7-10, 2-4) – Juwan Howard's Fab Five teammates showing up a Crisler Arena to support his team in a win vs. Ohio State was a special moment.
14. Rutgers (9-7, 1-4) – Scarlet Knights have just one Big Ten win this season, but they weren't expected to be this bad.
Minnesota, ranked first in the nation, dealt with injury and absence against No. 3 Michigan State.
