What a crazy week it was in the Big Ten! Both Penn State and Northwestern won on the road against ranked teams, while Michigan and Michigan State expanded the gap from the rest of the pack. This week’s power rankings were voted on by WIUX personalities Sam Rumpza, Matt Dlugie, Andrew Vailliencourt, Ethan Gaba, Kevin Hyland, and Tori Ziege.
Team Name, First Place Votes, Record (overall, conference), Average, High/Low
1. Michigan Wolverines, (6), (16-4, 8-0), Average: 1, High/Low: 1/1
What They’re Saying: “After their big win against rival MSU, the Wolverines have solidified themselves as the top team in the Big Ten. They have won 10 straight games, and have been playing at an extremely high level. In the top 10 nationally once again, it's hard to see them falling in any of their upcoming games. Nik Stauskas is playing out of his mind, and is drawing a lot of attention from NBA scouts.” –Andrew Vailliencourt
2. Michigan State Spartans, (19-2, 8-1), Average: 2, High/Low: 2/2
What They’re Saying: “It’s kind of scary just how good the Spartans can be once they’re completely healthy. Without Branden Dawson and Adreian Payne, Tom Izzo’s squad has held its own, losing to Michigan at home and grinding out a win at Iowa. Still the most talented team in the conference, and it’s very possible this team brings the Big Ten the first national championship since Sparty did it back in 2000. Everyone has to get healthy first, however. ” –Sam Rumpza
3. Iowa Hawkeyes, (16-5, 5-3), Average: 3, High/Low: 3/3
What They’re Saying: “The OT loss to Michigan State at home really hurt this team. They had a chance to get into the Top 10 if they won, but this team is still very dangerous. Eighth in points, third in rebounds equals wins.” –Matthew Dlugie
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers, (15-6, 4-4), Average: 4.66, High/Low: 4/6
What They’re Saying: “Beat Wisconsin, lose to Nebraska, all in a matter of four days. It's amazing the ups and downs of B1G basketball. But overall, Minnesota's good wins outnumber their bad loses.” –Matthew Dlugie
5. Wisconsin Badgers, (17-4, 4-4), Average: 5, High/Low: 4/8
What They’re Saying: “Wisconsin’s loss to Northwestern is downright unexplainable. I, and a lot of others never saw that one coming. I’m not sure what exactly is wrong with the Badgers, but some team has to win when Wisconsin and Ohio State square off Saturday, right?” –Sam Rumpza
6. Northwestern Wildcats, (11-11, 4-5), Average: 6.16, High/Low: 5/7
What They’re Saying: “Chris Collins was expected to turn this team around at some point, but no one thought it would be this quick. After beating IU in Bloomington, the Wildcats traveled up to Wisconsin and beat the Badgers. Arguably the two most difficult arenas to play in the Big Ten, NU went in both places and quieted the crowd.” –Matthew Dlugie
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers, (11-9, 3-5), Average: 6.67, High/Low: 5/9
What They’re Saying: “When Nebraska is at home in the Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Cornhuskers are a different team. In their last three games at home they beat Ohio State, Minnesota and Indiana, but when they are on the road they struggle. In six road games Nebraska is winless, including the last two against Purdue and Penn State. This is a sign Nebraska is finally a Big Ten team; winning big games at home, but taking days off against lesser opponents on the road.” –Ethan Gaba
8. Ohio State Buckeyes, (16-5, 3-5), Average: 7.83, High/Low: 7/8
What They’re Saying: “This team looks lost. Another bad loss at home to Penn State, and the Buckeyes continue to slide in rankings all the way down to No. 8 this week. No momentum, can't protect home court, Aaron Craft hasn't played well, what is there to look at positively?” –Andrew Vailliencourt
9. Purdue Boilermakers, (13-8, 3-5), Average: 9.33, High/Low: 7/10
What They’re Saying: “It is just not a good year for the state of Indiana. This could very well be the first time since 2005 that no teams from the Hoosier State make the Big Dance. Purdue had two chances to record big wins this week (Wisconsin and @Michigan) and failed.” –Sam Rumpza
10. Indiana Hoosiers, (13-8, 3-5), Average: 9.5, High/Low: 9/11
What They’re Saying: “IU got a decent win over Illinois, and then made it mean nothing in a choke job against Nebraska, blowing a 16-point lead. With their tournament chances shot, Hoosiers fans should starting asking themselves how they feel about the NIT.” –Andrew Vailliencourt
11. Penn State Nittany Lions, (11-10, 2-6), Average: 11, High/Low: 10/12
What They’re Saying: “Penn State followed up its first conference win with a clutch overtime victory, 71-70, over Ohio State. The Nittany Lions are bad, but after defeating the red-hot Cornhuskers and out-performing the Buckeyes, I’m can’t say I’m not impressed. It’s enough to keep them out of dead last in the Big Ten.” –Tori Ziege
12. Illinois Fighting Illini, (13-8, 2-6), Average: 11.83, High/Low: 11/12
What They’re Saying: “The last win for the Fighting Illini came on Jan. 4. They’ve lost six straight, the longest losing streak in the conference, and aren’t likely to see a win until they play Penn State on Feb. 9. At this point, even that game isn’t a gimme. No one had incredibly high expectations for John Groce’s squad, but this is as low as it gets in the Big Ten.” –Tori Ziege
