The Way I See It: Big Ten Power Rankings (Mar. 7)

1. Ohio State—24-7 (14-4 conference)

The Buckeyes took care of business by defeating Illinois 73-57 to claim share of the Big Ten Championship. They earned the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament and have a first-round bye.

The rest is much needed for a team that doesn’t go very deep into its bench. Evan Turner continues to look like the Player of the Year.

2. Michigan State—24-7 (14-4)

Today, the Spartans took it to in-state rival Michigan to make sure the Wolverines knew the game between them earlier was a fluke. Their first meeting was a 57-56 nail-biter at Michigan.

Michigan State joined Ohio State and Purdue for a share of the Big Ten Championship for the regular season with the win.

3. Purdue—26-4 (14-4)

The Boilermakers won a share of the Big Ten regular season title with the 64-60 win over Penn State this week. It’s their first regular season title in 14 years.

It doesn’t make up for the loss of Robbie Hummel, but it helps. A good showing in the Big Ten tournament gets them back in the No. 1 seed talks for the NCAA Tournament.

4. Wisconsin—23-7 (13-5)

The Badgers are peaking right now going into tournament play. This is one team that has Sweet 16 written all over it, and maybe more.

I expect big things from them going into the Big Ten tournament; they have wins over all three of the Big Ten Champions this season.

5. Minnesota—17-12 (8-9)

The Gophers lost to a bad Michigan team this week, 83-55. It’s hard to say this team is on the bubble and keep a straight face. I don’t think they have many more wins left in the tank.

It will take nothing short of the Big Ten tournament championship game to get them serious NCAA Tournament consideration.

6. Northwestern—19-12 (7-11)

The Wildcats are a fraud when looking at their record. All but two of their wins are against lesser opponents.

Those two wins are against Notre Dame and Purdue, and I’m still trying to figure out how they won those games. This week they lost to a bad Indiana team and went across town to beat Chicago State—whoever that is.

7. Illinois—18-13 (10-8)

The Illini need help to become the fifth Big Ten team in the NCAA Tournament. It’s going to take a serious run in the Big Ten tournament before they get off the bubble they sit on right now.

They finished the season with a three-game losing streak, including a 72-57 drubbing at the hands of the Badgers in the regular season finale.

8. Michigan—14-16 (7-11)

The Wolverines still don’t stack up with the big boys in the conference, but stand above lower-tier teams. This inability to break through has left them under .500 overall, and in conference play.

I don’t see them doing much in the tournament, but don’t underestimate Manny Harris or DeShawn Sims.

9.  Iowa—10-20 (4-13)

The Hawkeyes ended the regular season with a 67-40 loss to Wisconsin. They are the ninth seed in the Big Ten tournament and will play Minnesota in the opening round.

Iowa looks to avenge the 86-64 loss to the Gophers in January.

10. Indiana—9-18 (4-14)

What’s the best way to break an 11-game losing streak? Win an overtime game at home against a team that already beat you by 18 points earlier in the season.

This 88-80 overtime win against struggling Northwestern lifted the Hoosiers out of the basement, leaving Penn State behind in the conference standings.

11. Penn State—11-19 (3-15)

The Nittany Lions are one team I would not want to see in the Big Ten tournament. They play tough, and have given the Big Ten elite fits throughout the season.

This week was a perfect example as they faced Michigan State and Purdue in back-to-back games. They lost both games by a combined six points.