Big Ten basketball Power Rankings, Feb. 17

As the Big Ten basketball season heads toward its final stretch, Purdue has taken over as the conference’s top team. On the back of superstar Caleb Swanigan, the Boilermakers are peaking at the right time. Combined with Wisconsin’s recent two game skid (a home loss to Northwestern followed by a road defeat at Michigan) and Bronson Koenig’s injury, the Boilermakers could make a major impression on the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee with a Big Ten title. But Maryland is still very much in the mix after an impressive road win over the Scottie Lindsey-less Wildcats. As it stands, it looks to be a three-horse race for the conference title, with Northwestern, Michigan State, Minnesota and Michigan lurking on the outside. Those four teams are in a race of their own: a battle for the all-important fourth seed and double bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

Here are our Big Ten power rankings (as of Feb. 17):

1

Purdue Boilermakers

RECORD: 21-5 (10-3)
NEXT: vs. Michigan State
AVERAGE RANK: 1.0

Caleb Swanigan is in poll position for B1G POY.

Zach Pereles	1	Will Ragatz	1
Martin Oppegaard	1	Isaac Bushnell	1
Josh Burton	1	Zach Wingrove	1
Chris Grismer	1	Caleb Friedman	1

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2

Wisconsin Badgers

RECORD: 21-5 (10-3)
NEXT: vs. No. 23 Maryland
AVERAGE RANK: 2.3

With Bronson Koenig hobbled, Wisconsin will face some major adversity down the stretch.

Zach Pereles	2	Will Ragatz	3
Martin Oppegaard	3	Isaac Bushnell	2
Josh Burton	2	Zach Wingrove	2
Chris Grismer	2	Caleb Friedman	2

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3

Maryland Terrapins

RECORD: 22-4 (10-3)
NEXT: at No. 11 Wisconsin
AVERAGE RANK: 3.1

A win at Wisconsin on Sunday would make the Terps favorites to win the Big Ten title.

Zach Pereles	3	Will Ragatz	2
Martin Oppegaard	4	Isaac Bushnell	4
Josh Burton	3	Zach Wingrove	3
Chris Grismer	3	Caleb Friedman	3

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4

Northwestern Wildcats

RECORD: 19-7 (8-5)
NEXT: vs. Rutgers
AVERAGE RANK: 4.0

Northwestern finished its toughest stretch of its schedule at 1-3, without Scottie Lindsey.

Zach Pereles	4	Will Ragatz	6
Martin Oppegaard	2	Isaac Bushnell	3
Josh Burton	4	Zach Wingrove	4
Chris Grismer	4	Caleb Friedman	5

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5

Michigan Wolverines

RECORD: 17-9 (7-6)
NEXT: at Minnesota
AVERAGE RANK: 5.0

No Big Ten point guard has been better than Derrick Walton.

Zach Pereles	5	Will Ragatz	4
Martin Oppegaard	5	Isaac Bushnell	5
Josh Burton	5	Zach Wingrove	6
Chris Grismer	6	Caleb Friedman	4

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6

Michigan State Spartans

RECORD: 16-10 (8-5)
NEXT: at No. 16 Purdue
AVERAGE RANK: 5.9

The Spartans are challenging for fourth in the Big Ten, but have a tough slate to finish the season.

Zach Pereles	6	Will Ragatz	5
Martin Oppegaard	7	Isaac Bushnell	6
Josh Burton	7	Zach Wingrove	5
Chris Grismer	5	Caleb Friedman	6

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7

Minnesota Golden Gophers

RECORD: 19-7 (7-6)
NEXT: vs. Michigan
AVERAGE RANK: 6.8

After losing five in a row to end January, the Gophers are 4-0 in February.

Zach Pereles	7	Will Ragatz	7
Martin Oppegaard	6	Isaac Bushnell	7
Josh Burton	6	Zach Wingrove	7
Chris Grismer	7	Caleb Friedman	7

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8

Indiana Hoosiers

RECORD: 15-12 (5-9)
NEXT: at Iowa
AVERAGE RANK: 8.6

Indiana is reeling, losing six of its last seven games.

Zach Pereles	8	Will Ragatz	10
Martin Oppegaard	8	Isaac Bushnell	8
Josh Burton	9	Zach Wingrove	8
Chris Grismer	10	Caleb Friedman	8

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9

Penn State Nittany Lions

RECORD: 14-13 (6-8)
NEXT: vs. No. 16 Purdue
AVERAGE RANK: 9.0

Penn State's youngsters are showing their potential.

Zach Pereles	9	Will Ragatz	8
Martin Oppegaard	9	Isaac Bushnell	9
Josh Burton	8	Zach Wingrove	11
Chris Grismer	9	Caleb Friedman	9

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10

Iowa Hawkeyes

RECORD: 14-12 (6-7)
NEXT: vs. Illinois
AVERAGE RANK: 9.8

The young Hawkeyes have been up and down this season, but still have a chance to go .500 in conference play.

Zach Pereles	10	Will Ragatz	9
Martin Oppegaard	11	Isaac Bushnell	10
Josh Burton	10	Zach Wingrove	9
Chris Grismer	8	Caleb Friedman	11

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11

Ohio State Buckeyes

RECORD: 15-12 (5-9)
NEXT: vs. Nebraska
AVERAGE RANK: 10.8

The Buckeyes could be a spoiler down the stretch and in the Big Ten Tournament.

Zach Pereles	11	Will Ragatz	11
Martin Oppegaard	10	Isaac Bushnell	11
Josh Burton	11	Zach Wingrove	10
Chris Grismer	11	Caleb Friedman	11

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12

Nebraska Cornhuskers

RECORD: 11-14 (5-8)
NEXT: at Ohio State
AVERAGE RANK: 12.1

With Tai Webster and Glynn Watson, Nebraska has the fire power to play with the conference's best.

Zach Pereles	12	Will Ragatz	12
Martin Oppegaard	13	Isaac Bushnell	13
Josh Burton	13	Zach Wingrove	12
Chris Grismer	12	Caleb Friedman	10

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13

Illinois Fighting Illini

RECORD: 14-12 (4-9)
NEXT: at Iowa
AVERAGE RANK: 12.6/span>

The Fighting Illini's win at Northwestern was the team's first road win of the season.

Zach Pereles	13	Will Ragatz	13
Martin Oppegaard	12	Isaac Bushnell	12
Josh Burton	12	Zach Wingrove	13
Chris Grismer	13	Caleb Friedman	13

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14

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

RECORD: 13-14 (2-12)
NEXT: at Northwestern
AVERAGE RANK: 14.0

Rutgers has doubled its Big Ten win total from last season.

Zach Pereles	14	Will Ragatz	14
Martin Oppegaard	14	Isaac Bushnell	14
Josh Burton	14	Zach Wingrove	14
Chris Grismer	14	Caleb Friedman	14