SiriusXM Big Ten Radio’s college basketball power rankings

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 listen to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372) on the SiriusXM app now.The biggest game of the Big Ten (and maybe the entire college basketball season) ended with Michigan taking care of Ohio State to further establish the Wolverines as one of the most competitive teams in the country. Things are about to get hectic down the stretch as the regular season winds down, games are rescheduled due to Covid-related cancellations earlier in the year, and tournament time approaches.

Here’s how the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team came together and voted on this week’s edition of our college basketball rankings:

1. MICHIGAN @umichbball

The Wolverines are on the verge of winning their first Big Ten regular-season championship since 2014. Michigan’s win over Ohio State has helped propel Juwan Howard’s team further into the upper echelon of college basketball.

WEEK AHEAD: Iowa (2/25), @Indiana (2/27)

2. ILLINOIS @IlliniMBB

The Fighting Illini are surging with a seven-game winning streak and rebounding after flat performances against Nebraska and Northwestern. Ayo Dosunmu has worked his way into Player of the Year consideration for some.

WEEK AHEAD: @Michigan State (2/23), Nebraska (2/25), @Wisonsin (2/27)

3. OHIO STATE @OhioStateHoops

The Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan shouldn’t dissuade anyone from recognizing just how good this team really is and how dangerous they will be, come tournament time.

WEEK AHEAD: @Michigan State (2/25), Iowa (2/28)

4. IOWA @IowaHoops

An improvement on defense has helped spark Iowa to get back to its earlier season winning ways, and the Hawkeyes have put together four straight victories.

WEEK AHEAD: @Michigan (2/25), @Ohio State (2/28)

5. WISCONSIN @BadgerMBB

The spotty play of Wisconsin continued last week in a split of the week with a win over Northwestern after getting blown out at home by Iowa, the Badgers worst home loss to the Hawkeyes since 1988.

WEEK AHEAD: Illinois (2/27)

6. PURDUE @BoilerBall

Matt Painter’s squad is looking to make a late-season run of successful outings and had two wins last week over Michigan State and Nebraska by double digits.

WEEK AHEAD: @Penn State (2/26)

7. MARYLAND @TerrapinHoops

Four consecutive wins for Maryland have things in a much better place for Mark Turgeon’s team. The remaining regular season is very favorable for Maryland to have a shot at coming into the conference tournament red hot.

WEEK AHEAD: Michigan State (2/28)

8. RUTGERS @RutgersMBB

All of a sudden Rutgers has become as cold as the February weather. The Scarlet Knights came into February playing well but have now lost three of their last four outings.

WEEK AHEAD: Indiana (2/24)

9. INDIANA @IndianaMBB

Hard to predict what Indiana team will show up on any given night. The Hoosiers seem to play well against more formidable foes than they do against teams with lesser records.

WEEK AHEAD: @Rutgers (2/24), Michigan (2/27)

10. MINNESOTA @GopherMBB

Going on the road isn’t easy for any team, but it’s especially difficult for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are 0-8 away from “The Barn,” and that could spell big trouble as the season finishes.

WEEK AHEAD: Northwestern (2/25), @Nebraska (2/27)

11. MICHIGAN STATE @MSU_Basketball

After beating Indiana on the road, Michigan State fans had their hopes dashed for a slim NCAA Tournament bid when the Spartans lost to Purdue.

WEEK AHEAD: Illinois (2/23), Ohio State (2/25), @Maryland (2/28)

12. PENN STATE @PennStateMBB

Penn State plays hard and isn’t a bad basketball team. Unfortunately, the numbers don’t add up to much in the way of a good season.

WEEK AHEAD: @Nebraska (2/23), Purdue (2/26)

13. NEBRASKA @HuskerHoops

The Huskers are another team that continues to play hard but can’t put numbers up on the board to reflect the effort.

WEEK AHEAD: Penn State (2/23), @Illinois (2/25), Minnesota (2/27)

14. NORTHWESTERN @NUMensBBall

The Wildcats are now in the midst of a 13-game losing streak. Yikes.

WEEK AHEAD: @Minnesota (2/25)