Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Jan. 18

Another week, another set of Big Ten basketball power rankings. Check out edition No. 3 below:

14. Rutgers (8-8, 1-5), Last Week: 12

I bumped the Scarlet Knights up a few spots after their win against Ohio State, however, now it’s looking more like OSU was just a fraud. Rutgers may have a better overall record than a few other foes, but the Knights are back in the basement where they belong.

13. Illinois (5-12, 1-6), Last Week: 14

Illinois finally picked up its first conference win, blasting Minnesota at home. It’s a good start, enough to jump Rutgers, but it’s going to be a long winter in Champaign.

12. Penn State (7-11, 0-7), Last Week: 13

It’s been an awful start to Big Ten play for PSU, but the schedule has been brutal. Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa have all beaten the Nittany Lions, who finally have some winnable games ahead.

11. Northwestern (10-7, 1-5), Last Week: 11

The Wildcats have held onto the No. 11 spot, but there doesn’t seem to be much of a chance this team climbs any higher. They stink, just not as much as Rutgers, Illinois or Penn State.

10. Ohio State (12-4, 2-3), Last Week: 6

The Buckeyes have done a great job of self-destructing, losing three straight. However, it could just be a small blip in the road. We’ll have to wait and find out.

9. Wisconsin (11-6, 3-3), Last Week: 5

The Badgers fall four spots after losing to both Purdue and Maryland over the last week. They also have a home loss to Minnesota on their resume, which is starting to look worse.

8. Minnesota (13-4, 3-3), Last Week: 7

Can anyone figure out where this team belongs? Getting bombed by Illinois, are you serious? The Gophers are lucky they aren’t further down the list.

7. Purdue (11-6, 4-2), Last Week: 9

Road wins at Wisconsin have been easier to come by this season compared to most, but it’s still enough to bump the Boilermakers up two spots.

6. Indiana (12-5, 3-3), Last Week: 3

What a brutal week it was for Archie Miller’s crew. Losses to Maryland and Nebraska burst any Big Ten title hopes this team had, but the team gets a great chance to rebound on the road at rival Purdue.

5. Nebraska (13-5, 3-4), Last Week: 10

Nebraska did what very few teams can do — go to Assembly Hall and beat down the Hoosiers. This is a dangerous team, especially given how strong it is at home. The Huskers are this week’s biggest riser.

4. Iowa (15-3, 4-3), Last Week: 8

With how competitive the middle teams of the conference are, it’s no surprise Iowa is already back in the top four. A showdown with Michigan State looms at the end of next week.

3. Maryland (15-3, 6-1), Last Week: 4

The Terrapins have been on fire of late, beating Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin. However, things don’t get any easier with trips to OSU and MSU ahead. Maryland isn’t going to wow you the way the Spartans or Wolverines will, but its a solid squad.

2. Michigan State (16-2, 7-0), Last Week: 2

Michigan State got a scare at Nebraska, but hung on for the quality win. The Spartans are rolling.

1. Michigan (17-0, 6-0), Last Week: 1

After Duke’s loss to Syracuse, Michigan has a chance to be the new No. 1 team in the country when the next set of rankings are released next week. The winner of the Duke-Virginia game threatens that though, and so does Wisconsin, which is the team U-M will have to knock off in Madison this weekend. Things are good in Wolverine land.