BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS
Marcus Fuller’s rankings, with five teams to watch:
1. Purdue (24-6, 13-4)
Outright champ: The Boilermakers outlasted Maryland and Wisconsin to win their first Big Ten title since 2010. They clinched the championship by winning seven of the past eight games, including six in a row.
2. Gophers (23-7, 11-6)
No respect: Minnesota and UCLA are the hottest teams among power conference programs, both with eight-game win streaks. UCLA is a possible No.1 NCAA seed, though. The Gophers feel disrespected being left out of Top 25.
3. Wisconsin (22-8, 11-6)
4. Maryland (23-7, 11-6)
Go Terps: Gophers fans will be rooting for the Terrapins to beat Michigan State on Saturday. That would secure at least a top-four seed and a double-bye for the Gophers in the Big Ten tournament, regardless of what the Gophers do at Wisconsin on Sunday.
5. Michigan St. (18-12, 10-7)
6. Northwestern (21-9, 10-7)
Play of the century: Northwestern fans will never forget Nathan Taphorn’s unbelievable full-court pass to Dererk Pardon for the buzzer-beating layup against Michigan. Even though the Wildcats were likely already in the Big Dance.
7. Michigan (19-11, 9-8)
8. Illinois (18-12, 8-9)
Do it for Coach: Did Illinois players realize that John Groce’s job was seriously in jeopardy? Sure seems that way with the Illini getting on the NCAA tourney bubble after winning five of six, including four in a row.
9. Iowa (17-13, 9-8)
10. Ohio State (17-13, 7-10)
11. Indiana (16-14, 6-11)
12. Penn State (14-16, 6-11)
13. Nebraska (12-17, 6-11)
14. Rutgers (13-17, 2-15)
