SiriusXM Big Ten Radio’s college basketball power rankings
In this week’s edition of ‘Power Rankings,’ Selection Sunday is fast approaching, and the Big Ten looks to be sending some of college basketball’s most elite teams to the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan returned to action with a win last week. (Photo: Big Ten)
Pete Pistone and the rest of the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team will unveil Power Rankings each week of the college basketball season. Check out this week’s edition of basketball Power Rankings below, and start listening to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372) on the SiriusXM app now.
Selection Sunday is fast approaching, and the Big Ten looks to be sending some of college basketball’s most elite teams to the NCAA Tournament. Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio State remain among the best squads in college hoops. The conference is still on the hunt to send as many as 10 teams to the tourney as the regular season continues to wind down.
Here’s how the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team came together and voted on this week’s edition of our college basketball rankings:
- OHIO STATE @OhioStateHoops
There’s no slowing down the Buckeyes who put up a pair of double-digit wins to run their record to nine victories in the last 10 games. Ohio State has beaten nine Top 75 teams in a little over a month.
WEEK AHEAD: @Penn State (2/18), Michigan (2/21)
- MICHIGAN @umichbball
Welcome back Wolverines. After a three-week respite due to Covid-19 concerns, Michigan got back on the court and wasted no time proving how good this squad is with an impressive victory over Wisconsin.
WEEK AHEAD: Rutgers (2/18), @Ohio State (2/21)
- ILLINOIS @IlliniMBB
Just one game last week for Illinois, and although it wasn’t expected to be close, the Fighting Illini had to muscle up to beat a pesky Nebraska team.
WEEK AHEAD: Northwestern (2/16), @Minnesota (2/20)
- IOWA @IowaHoops
A better week for Iowa to be sure, with victories over Rutgers and Michigan State. Now, let’s see if the Hawkeyes can avoid the roller coaster ride of recent weeks and stay with their winning ways.
WEEK AHEAD: @Wisconsin (2/18), Penn State (2/21)
- WISCONSIN @BadgerMBB
The Badgers split their week going 1-1, but maybe the most troubling aspect of their loss to Michigan was giving up a 12-point lead and a return to cold shooting that has plagued Wisconsin in recent weeks.
WEEK AHEAD: Iowa (2/18), @Northwestern (2/21)
- PURDUE @BoilerBall
A loss on the road to Minnesota has Matt Painter’s squad under the microscope going forward. Purdue has only played .500 basketball over its last six games and is looking to step things up this week.
WEEK AHEAD: Michigan State (2/16), @Nebraska (2/20)
- RUTGERS @RutgersMBB
A road loss against Iowa was followed by beating Northwestern at the RAC. Make it five out of six wins for Rutgers over the last half dozen outings.
WEEK AHEAD: @Michigan (2/18), Maryland (2/21)
- INDIANA @IndianaMBB
A double-overtime win over Northwestern was followed by a loss on the road to Ohio State, where the Hoosiers gave OSU a fight but came up short. Indiana needs a great run to the finish line.
WEEK AHEAD: Minnesota (2/17), Michigan State (2/20)
- PENN STATE @PennStateMBB
They were red hot for a streak that saw Penn State win four of six games. The Nittany Lions have hit a speed bump, though, and dropped two straight.
WEEK AHEAD: Ohio State (2/18), @Iowa (2/21)
- MINNESOTA @GopherMBB
A pair of victories over Nebraska and Purdue was a shot in the arm for the Golden Gophers, who remain nearly unbeatable at home but are winless (0-7) away from The Barn.
WEEK AHEAD: @Indiana (2/17), Illinois (2/20)
- MARYLAND @TerrapinHoops
A loss to Ohio State and a victory versus Minnesota summed up Maryland’s week. This team needs to put some Ws on the board to remain in consideration for an NCAA Tournament bid.
WEEK AHEAD: Nebraska (2/17), @Rutgers (2/21)
- MICHIGAN STATE: @MSU_Basketball
The work remains very much intact for Michigan State after splitting games last week but still sitting at 10-8 overall. It’s definitely do-or-die time for Tom Izzo’s squad this week.
WEEK AHEAD: @Purdue (2/16), @Indiana (2/20)
- NEBRASKA @HuskerHoops
The Huskers climbed out of the bottom spot in the rankings after beating Penn State on the road. Nebraska’s looking for a victory after 26 straight Big Ten losses.
WEEK AHEAD: @Maryland (2/16), Purdue (2/20)
- NORTHWESTERN @NUMensBBall
Losses to Indiana and Rutgers have set Northwestern up for a pair of games this week that figure to add to the team’s struggles, with Illinois and Wisconsin on the slate.
WEEK AHEAD: @Illinois (2/16), Wisconsin (2/21)
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