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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.
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
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..
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
12. Indiana Hoosiers
Record: 15-13 (5-10) | Next: vs. Northwestern | Average Rank: 11.5
Could a win over Northwestern save Tom Crean?
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 |
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.
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
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 .
Voting
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Pereles | Henrique DaMour | Rob Schaefer | Will Ragatz | Josh Burton | Ian McCafferty | Isaac Bushnell | Tristan Jung | Caleb Friedman | Chris Grismer |
14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |