The Way I See It: Big Ten Power Rankings (Final)

1. Ohio State—27-7 (14-4 conference)

The Buckeyes are going into this tournament running on empty. The Big Ten tournament leaves them emotionally drained, and well worn with a double overtime game. This team is a solid No. 2 seed, and should make it to the Sweet 16 at least.

2. Michigan State—24-8 (14-4)

The Spartans are usually looking like world-beaters once March rolls around. This season there’s inconsistent play and suspensions. The overtime loss to Minnesota was a perfect example of the disarray this team is in.

The finger pointing and arguing between the players and Izzo will need to stop if Michigan State is going to make a run in the tournament this year.

3. Purdue—27-5 (14-4)

The Boilermakers miss Robbie Hummel. It’s been said time and time again, but there is no way they lose like they did to Minnesota with Hummel in the lineup.

This team is going into the NCAA tournament as a huge question mark. They have 27 wins on the season, but without Hummel I don’t think they deserve anything higher than a four seed.

4. Wisconsin—23-8 (13-5)

The Badgers were the team I figured would be playing the Spartans in the Big Ten tournament game.

Apparently Wisconsin didn’t get the memo that they needed to show up for the tournament, because they didn’t. Hopefully this isn’t a sign of things to come.

The positive is the extra rest will get the Badges refocused and fresh from here on out.

5. Minnesota—21-13 (8-9)

The Gophers played their way into the big dance with this impressive Big Ten tournament run.

The thrashing they handed Purdue is the game they will set them get them off the bubble and into the NCAA tournament, but picking up a win against Michigan State in overtime won’t hurt either.

6. Illinois—19-14 (10-8)

The Illini took full advantage of a emotionally drained Ohio State team, but still fell short in double overtime. The bubble most likely burst with that loss to Ohio State.

I’d be surprised if they get in considering Minnesota probably just took their spot.

7. Northwestern—20-13 (7-11)

The Wildcats proved their win against Purdue back in January wasn’t a fluke when they gave the Boilermakers all they could handle this week.

The loss knocked them out of the Big Ten tournament, and any shot of the NCAA tournament. This team will get an NIT invite just like Illinois.

8. Michigan—15-17 (7-11)

The Wolverines lost a heart breaker to arch rival Ohio State on Evan Turner’s 37-foot buzzer beater. This up and down season ends on a down note as the loss puts them at only 15 wins on the season and likely out of the NIT tournament.

9.  Iowa—10-22 (4-13)

The Hawkeyes are wondering if head coach Todd Lickliter will return next season. It’s been an up and down year, mostly down for Iowa. Suspensions, transfers and just bad play plagued them all season.

They are in a very similar situation to Indiana, a young team that’s going through growing pains. This team will be much better next season.

10. Indiana—10-21 (4-14)

The Hoosiers won their last game of the regular season against Northwestern, just to have the Wildcats come back and punish them 73-58 in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament.

This young team should be much improved next season, eventually contending for a Big Ten crown.

11. Penn State—11-20 (3-15)

The Nittany Lions were one complementary play away from being a contender in the Big Ten this year. Time and time again they lost close games where Battle did all he could to get the win but fell short.

If Battle comes back next season, incoming freshman Taran Buie might be the player Penn State desperately needs.