The Way I See It: Big Ten Power Rankings (Feb. 1)

1. Michigan State (19-3)

The Spartans have locked up the conference, unless something highly improbable happens. This team doesn’t always win pretty but it always wins. Depending on how the rest of college basketball plays out they may sneak into a No. 1 seed for the tournament.

2. Purdue (18-3)

The Boilermakers look like their old selves after that win over the Badgers. This team will be a tough out come tournament time, and have the firepower to hang with the Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament.

3. Wisconsin (16-5)

The Badgers slipped a spot this week after losing to Purdue. This week they’ll have their hands full as both teams from Michigan come up on the schedule. A win over the Spartans, however will go a long way come tournament selection time.

4. Ohio State (16-6)

The Buckeyes didn’t look good at all against Iowa, but turned things around against the Gophers. This team needs to play better on the road to have any chance come tournament time.

5. Illinois (14-8)

The Fighting Illini are in the middle of a two game win streak, and look to stretch it to three against Iowa this week. They host the Spartans next weekend in what will more than likely be a loss. The schedule is tough for here on out, but the bubble hasn’t burst quite yet.

6. Minnesota (13-8)

The Gophers are a bubble team that needs a few more quality win before they’ll get real consideration. Last weeks rout by Ohio State did nothing to gain any confidence by the selection committee.

7. Northwestern (14-7)

The Wildcats need to step it up this last month of conference play if they have any shot at their first tournament berth. The loss against Minnesota last week put them behind the eight ball.

8. Michigan (11-10)

The Wolverines are a NIT team, at best. It’s disappointing considering the players this team has, Manny Harris and DeShawn Simms real talents. From here on out, look for this team to play the spoiler role.

9. Iowa (8-14)

The Hawkeyes are a scrappy team, and look to be a year away. This team has some very good players and should be in at least the NIT in a season or two.

10. Indiana (9-11)

The Hoosiers almost took one away from Illinois this week. The schedule doesn’t look pretty for the rest of the way. The Hoosiers will play the top team in the conference all at least once before March.

11. Penn State (8-13)

The Nittany Lions extended their losing streak to nine games, with no end in sight. They might win another game this season, but I wouldn’t bet on it. A bright spot is that Taylor Battle’s 18 points a game put him in the Big Ten Player of the Year conservation.