Big Ten basketball Power Rankings, Feb. 24

The final week of the Big Ten season awaits, and there’s still a lot left to be determined. While Purdue has taken over the top spot in the conference over the past couple of weeks, Wisconsin remains just a game behind in the title race.

But, where it gets most interesting is the group of teams from three to seven that are separated by just two games in the standings. The race for those final two double-bye spots will be intense over the final week of the regular season, with teams also hunting for postseason berths.

The most troubling of that group: Northwestern. Once considered to be the Big Ten’s best success story, the Wildcats have faltered as of late. Two losses to Illinois and a non-competitive home loss to Maryland have Chris Collins’s team struggling and in search of a second wind as the postseason quickly approaches.

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1. Purdue Boilermakers

Record: 23-5 (12-3) | Next: at Michigan | Average Rank: 1.0
Purdue has won six in a row and is in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten title.

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2. Wisconsin Badgers

Record: 22-6 (11-4) | Next: at Michigan State | Average Rank: 2.0
A couple weeks ago, the Badgers looked to be one of the nation’s best. Now, they’re in danger of falling out of the top 25 with a loss at MSU.

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3. Maryland Terrapins

Record: 22-6 (10-5) | Next: vs. Iowa | Average Rank: 3.2
Back-to-back losses might have the Terps feeling a bit of late-season pressure.

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4. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Record: 21-7 (9-6) | Next: vs. Penn State | Average Rank: 3.8
A five-game losing streak, followed by a six-game win streak. Seems about right for the Big Ten this year.

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5. Michigan Wolverines

Record: 18-10 (8-7) | Next: vs. No. 14 Purdue | Average Rank: 5.6
The Wolverines are looking to make a postseason push..

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6. Michigan State Spartans

Record: 17-11 (9-6) | Next: vs. No. 16 Wisconsin | Average Rank: 5.7
The Spartans might be hitting their stride, which is bad news for everyone else.

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7. Northwestern Wildcats

Record: 20-8 (9-6) | Next: at Indiana | Average Rank: 6.7
The Big Ten’s darling looks like it’s fading down the stretch.

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8. Iowa Hawkeyes

Record: 15-13 (7-8) | Next: at No. 24 Maryland | Average Rank: 8.4
For the young Hawkeyes, finishing strong in 2017 could pay dividends in 2018.

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9. Penn State Nittany Lions

Record: 14-14 (6-9) | Next: at Minnesota | Average Rank: 9.1
A dangerous team, no one will want to play Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament.

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10. Illinois Fighting Illini

Record: 16-12 (6-9) | Next: at Nebraska | Average Rank: 9.4
A sweep of in-state rival Northwestern has to feel good.

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11. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Record: 12-15 (6-9) | Next: vs. Illinois | Average Rank: 11.4
A win over Illinois will go a long way to helping Nebraska avoid playing Wednesday in the Big Ten Tournament.

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12. Indiana Hoosiers

Record: 15-13 (5-10) | Next: vs. Northwestern | Average Rank: 11.5
Could a win over Northwestern save Tom Crean?

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13. Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 15-13 (5-10) | Next: at Penn State | Average Rank: 12.9
The Buckeyes got a nice win over Wisconsin on Thursday night.

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14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Record: 13-16 (2-14) | Next: vs. No. 24 Maryland | Average Rank: 14.0
Rutgers has been a tough out in February .