Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Feb. 11

Here are our Big Ten basketball power rankings for Feb. 11, 2019.

14. Northwestern (6-16 overall, 1-11 Big Ten), Last Week 14

The Wildcats took Rutgers to overtime, which is about the best thing this team has done in a long time.

13. Nebraska (7-16, 2-10), Last Week: 13

Losers of eight straight, there’s no end in sight.

12. Minnesota (12-11, 6-7), Last Week: 12

Minnesota appears to be stuck on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers need to go on some sort of run if they want to change that.

11. Indiana (15-8, 5-7), Last Week: 9

Ever since they blew a six-point lead in the final minute to Maryland, this Hoosiers team hasn’t been the same. They’ve gotten blown out now in three straight games and simply don’t look good. If IU can’t finish strong and make the big dance, it might be time to talk about Archie Miller being on the hot seat.

10. Rutgers (17-7, 8-5), Last Week: 8

Rutgers lost an expected game to Maryland and squeaked by Northwestern at home. I expect the fall to come soon with a very tough end to the regular season.

9. Purdue (14-10, 7-6), Last Week: 11

Road wins in the Big Ten are nearly impossible to come by, but Purdue surprised by defeating Indiana at Assembly Hall. Even with how poorly IU has looked, it’s still a good win, not to mention it’s beat down of Iowa where it scored 104 points.

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8. Ohio State (15-8, 5-7), Last Week: 10

The Buckeyes lost one of their best players in DJ Carton yet haven’t looked any worse. They picked up a huge road win at Michigan before dropping a game to Wisconsin in Madison. Two winnable home games vs. Rutgers and Purdue are up next.

7. Wisconsin (14-10, 7-6), Last Week: 7

The Badgers hold steady after a home win and road loss, pretty much to be expected at this point.

6. Michigan State (16-8, 8-5), Last Week: 3

MSU has absolutely fallen off a cliff of late, dropping three straight games. For a team that’s supposed to be one of the best teams in not just the league, but the country, I’m just not seeing it. Illinois and Maryland are up next, and it’s hard to see how those games go well.

5. Michigan (14-9, 5-7), Last Week: 6

This feels too high again, and you can claim I’m being a homer, but with Isaiah Livers back, this is where Michigan belongs. He makes the Wolverines a whole different squad, one that can legitimately compete with any team in the league. Now, without him, this is a whole different story (especially after that awful loss to OSU) and U-M probably ends up at No. 7 or 8.

4. Illinois (16-7, 8-4), Last Week: 4

Illinois lost to Maryland in a game of ranked Big Ten foes. With it being the only game it played last week, the Illini stay in the No. 4 spot.

3. Iowa (17-7, 8-5), Last Week: 2

Iowa was absolutely demolished by Purdue on the road, but was able to rebound with an easy win vs. Nebraska. This feels like it could finally be an Iowa team that makes a postseason run.

2. Penn State (18-5, 8-4), Last Week: 5

Penn State has won six straight games and simply has been one of the biggest surprises in all of college basketball. Who could have ever predicted that the Nittany Lions of all teams would be ranked No. 13 in the country? Beating MSU on the road is a huge win and now they travel to Purdue.

1. Maryland (19-4, 9-3), Last Week: 1

Maryland has also won six straight games and has moved all the way up to No. 9 nationally. Beating Illinois on the road was a statement win and with MSU’s drop-off, Maryland is the clear favorite to win the regular season title.