Big Ten Power Rankings 2015-2016: Edition 2

Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa

1. Maryland Terrapins 22-4 overall, 10-3 conference
Before late January, Maryland looked destined to be a good, but far from great team inside the Big Ten. The Terrapins had posted a strong record and were ranked highly in the polls, but had yet to beat anyone of note and had survived a number of close meetings. Then, on January 29th, the Terps got their biggest win of the year, taking down third-ranked Iowa 74-68. The win proved the Terrapins weren't just a talented team on paper, they were a legit Final Four contender. A loss just this past week against a scorching hot Wisconsin team though, also indicated Maryland needed more work. Guard Melo Trimble is as good as anyone in the country, and Rasheed Sulaimon has really come into his own in College Park. Former five-star freshman Diamond Stone is frustratingly inconsistent, but he has his moments, and Jake Layman is a versatile and experienced piece. Depth and consistency could be a problem in the long term for the Terps, but as of now, they have proven themselves as a very serious player in the conference and on the grand stage. Even in a cluttered Big Ten where Iowa, Michigan State and even Indiana could claim the top spot, Maryland stays above.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes 20-5 overall, 11-2 conference
The Hawkeyes continue to use their veteran-laden lineup to roll through the Big Ten, squeezing past Minnesota last night. Jarrod Uthoff continues to play like the Big Ten Player of the Year; the former Wisconsin forward has a skinny frame but uses his long frames to get his shot off and also currently lead the conference in blocks. Sturdy Mike Gessell, underrated Peter Jok and Anthony Clemmons will also help guide Iowa as they continue through conference play. The Hawkeyes don't have a particularly difficult stretch remaining in conference play. Ohio State and Penn State should be wins, and while Wisconsin is flaming hot Iowa could very well end up on top over Michigan and Indiana. Depending on how they fare in the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa could very well have a shot at a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
3. Indiana Hoosiers 20-6 overall, 10-3 conference
Tom Crean has never had it easy in Bloomington. The Hoosiers were a wreck when he took over following the Kelvin Sampson era but he has turned the program back into a player on the national stage. This season has been no breeze either, as Indiana has an extremely young roster and lost stud guard James Blackmon Jr. early on. But, Crean has righted the ship in conference play, as the Hoosiers have lifted to a 10-3 mark. Senior guard Yogi Ferrell has led the way, helped by uber-athlete Troy Williams and the slowly improving Thomas Bryant at center. The Hoosiers have a brutal end of the season, with meetings coming against Purdue, Maryland and Iowa over the next few weeks. Those meeting should prove whether Indiana is a serious Big Ten and National title threat or possibly add flame to a possibly Crean hot seat.
4. Michigan State Spartans 21-5 overall, 8-5 overall
Conference play has not been kind to MSU and Tom Izzo. Injuries have certainly played a role but they aren't the only reason the team has fallen to a rather pedestrian 8-5 mark inside the Big Ten. Though, by all measurements, the Spartans seem to be trending up at the right time, as they typically tend to do. Denzel Valentine continues to make a strong case for Big Ten Player of the Year and the backcourt also includes underrated guards in West Virginia transfer Eron Harris and sharpshooting Bryn Forbes. MSU's frontcourt is not incredible, but Matt Costello has been putting together a grand finale in his final year in East Lansing, and is coming off a masterful showing against Indiana. While the Spartans have made been inconsistent and have played pretty mediocre so far in conference play, this has to be a team that is going to be very scary down the stretch.
5. Wisconsin Badgers 16-9 overall, 8-4 conference
Early on in Big Ten play, Wisconsin's season seemed destined for disappointment. They were 3-4 inside Big Ten play and were ranked tenth in the conference in my previous power rankings, just a few weeks ago. Now, they have reeled off five straight wins and turned into a serious player inside the conference. Plus, it hasn't been like the Badgers are merely beating up on the low-tier teams inside the conference. They have beat Michigan State, Indiana and even Maryland on their hot streak. Greg Gard, who took over for Bo Ryan, has the Badgers believing again, and has found complements to stars Bronson Koenig and Nigel Hayes. Wisconsin has MSU next, and a couple interesting matchups as their season winds down. But, they could still improve their NCAA Tournament standing (No. 9 in Joe Lundari's Bracketology right now) and push to a Top Four finish inside the conference for the 15th consecutive season.
6. Purdue Boilermakers 20-6 overall, 8-5 conference
Even well through conference play and with March Madness fast approaching, the Boilermakers still remain a team hard to get a read on. They have beat a number of quality opponents (Florida, Pitt, MSU, Wisconsin) but have also put up poor performances in a number of their losses (lost to Illinois, dominated by Iowa in both losses). A.J. Hammons is still one of the conference's best big men, and he has a number of strong veterans joining him down low. But, Purdue is still somewhat a mystery as they end their regular season with a couple tough battles, including Maryland and Indiana.
7. Michigan Wolverines 19-7 overall, 9-4 conference
Michigan is one of the most overlooked teams inside the Big Ten this year. Iowa, Maryland and Indiana have all been intriguing stories, and Wisconsin has taken up headlines lately. But, the Wolverines have improved dramatically in a year, due to more health and more experience. Guard Derrick Walton has put together a big season, and sniper Duncan Robinson is vastly underrated. Also, Caris LeVert is slowly getting back to 100 percent, and the Wolverines are starting to score more in the paint. Right now, the Wolverines sit fourth in the conference with those nine wins. If they can impress through a tough end to February and early March, they could very well rise quite a bit up these rankings.
8. Ohio State Buckeyes 16-10 overall, 8-5 conference
The Buckeyes were terrible in the non-conference portion of their season, but they seem to have figured things out as Big Ten play has rolled on. They are still an incredibly young team and Thad Matta has had no easy job replacing D'Angelo Russell and plenty of veteran leadership. Versatile Marc Loving continues to do good things, and the backcourt, which includes JaQuan Lyle and Jae'Sean Tate, oozes with talent. The Buckeyes likely won't be getting to the tournament this season (unless they do something magical at the end of this season) but they could still end the year on a high note and build momentum on to 2016-2017.
9. Northwestern Wildcats 17-9 overall, 5-8 conference
While Wisconsin and MSU appear to be trending upwards, Northwestern has been trending in the complete wrong direction. The Wildcats have lost six of their last eight, including a brutal five game losing streak that knocked them out of NCAA Tournament contention. Though, the Wildcats are still not done yet. Bryant McIntosh and Tre Demps form one of the conference's best backcourts, and the schedule is ideal upcoming for Northwestern. Outside of Purdue and a trip to Ann Arbor, their schedule is pretty easy, which could build momentum for a sneaky run in the Big Ten Tournament.
10. Nebraska Cornhuskers 14-12 overall, 6-7 conference
The 'Huskers lost a ton this past offseason from a team that underachieved greatly in 2014-2015, but have fought back to play okay this year. Sure, 14-12 overall and .500 inside the Big Ten is nothing overwhelming, but there is still progress being made in Lincoln under Tim Miles. This year, guard Andrew White has been the real deal. The Kansas transfer is averaging just over 17 points per game and leading the offense in a big way, while dynamic Shavon Shields continues to play well. Nebraska also has some winnable games down the stretch and very well could end the year at about .500 in conference play.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions 12-13 overall, 3-9 conference
After a decent start to their Big Ten slate, Penn State has been rolling downhill, but at least managed an upset of Indiana just a few days ago. That was seemingly erased by a poor showing in a 16-point loss to Nebraska but it should still give PSU a highlight to remember through another tough season under Pat Chambers. Forward Brandon Taylor has played like an All-Big Ten Player, but there just hasn't been enough around him. Games against Illinois and Rutgers could still give the Nittany Lions a chance to add to their win total before the year closes.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini 11-14 overall, 3-9 conference
Perhaps it is time Illinois moves on from John Groce at head coach. After overachieving in his first few years from Ohio, Groce has struggled lately including this disaster of a 2015-2016 campaign. Not only have they limped to a 11-14 overall mark, they have been demolished by a number of the conference's elite. Still, Malcolm Hill continues to play at a high level, and there remains some high level talent on the roster. This could still be a team that could play some surprises out before the season concludes.
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers 6-19 overall, 0-13 conference
It hasn't been a fun year in the Twin Cities for the Gophers. They are still winless in the Big Ten, and are searching for anything positive to take away from the year. Even though they are 0-13, the Gophers should still consider some good things: their young guys have been great, they have played hard this year under Richard Pitino, and their remaining schedule is very easy. Illinois still remains, as well as Rutgers twice. If sophomore guard Nate Mason can rally the troops, Minnesota could at least avoid going winless inside the conference on the year.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6-19 overall, 0-12 conference
When Rutgers moved to the Big Ten, they knew their basketball team would need time to catch up, considering the absolute beatings they had taken in the Big East for years and years. But, this season has been even more brutal than maybe some thought. The Scarlet Knights are 0-12 in Big Ten play and haven't looked competitive against average Big Ten teams. As they endure their third year post-Mike Rice scandal, it may be time to move on from alum Eddie Jordan, as the freefall continues.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2015-2016: Edition 1

Rasheed Sulaimon

1. Maryland Terrapins 17-2 overall, 6-1 conference
Struggles by Michigan State have left the door wide open inside the Big Ten where some surprising upstarts like Iowa and Indiana are playing very well. Even so, Maryland comes in as the top dog in the first Big Ten power rankings of the new year. The Terps haven't won pretty much this year; they have survived tons of close games. But, they are about as versatile as you can get, as Melo Trimble and Rasheed Sulaimon lead an explosive backcourt, and the young frontcourt guys, Diamond Stone and Robert Carter, are figuring it out. A bad loss to a Michigan team without Caris LeVert was certainly worrying, but no team in the conference has the amount of pure talent as Maryland. But, in this sport that obviously doesn't always mean consistent success. Though, without a clear-cut frontrunner, Maryland fills in.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes 14-3 overall, 5-0 conference
After the football team's unexpected success and rise to the Big Ten Championship Game, not a whole lot was expected of the basketball program. Sure, an NCAA Tournament bid seemed likely, but few fans could have predicted the Hawkeyes' flaming hot start to conference play. A 5-0 start has been highlighted by a sweep of Michigan State, and a thrilling comeback victory over Purdue. Iowa isn't the flashiest team, but they get by with stud forward Jared Uthoff (perhaps the Big Ten POY frontrunner) and a very experienced and deep lineup. Iowa has already risen to a Top 10 ranking behind their scorching play. If they keep it up, they could be sitting in firm grasp of the Big Ten.
3. Indiana Hoosiers 16-3 overall, 6-0 conference
Expectations were high in Bloomington this season, and the opening month for Indiana did not seem too promising. The Hoosiers dropped games to Wake Forest and UNLV and then played very uninspired in a 20-point drubbing at the hands of Duke. Since then, they have gone 11-0 and undefeated in conference play behind the play of veteran guard Yogi Ferrell and Robert Johnson. Though, their schedule so far in conference play has been very soft, and it is hard to know if the Hoosiers truly have turned the corner. Not helping is the loss of electric guard James Blackmon, who could be out for the remainder of the year.
4. Michigan State Spartans 16-4 overall, 3-4 conference
For much of the non-conference slate, MSU held the nation's No. 1 spot and looked like perhaps the nation's best overall team. Though, as conference play has begun, the Spartans have struggled. They have lost four games inside the Big Ten, two to Iowa and one to a not great Wisconsin team, and then a brutal showing against Nebraska. Maryland awaits next and a loss there would certainly be a wake up call that something needs to change. Earlier losses in the year could be blamed on the fact stud guard Denzel Valentine wasn't playing. Valentine is healthy, and the Spartans just look stagnant offensively. Though, counting out Tom Izzo and MSU is certainly never a good thing.
5. Purdue Boilermakers 17-3 overall, 5-2 conference
Give Matt Painter plenty of credit for what he has done with his Purdue program, which looked dead in the water a few years back. The Boilermakers have rocked a dominant front line this season, that includes senior A.J. Hammons and big-time recruit Caleb Swanigan. Though, just as important has been the play of guard P.J. Thompson and a suddenly deep bench. Purdue has beat up on some low-tier Big Ten teams but also lost to Illinois. As Maryland and MSU awaits, we will truly see what the Boilermakers are made of.
6. Michigan Wolverines 14-5 overall, 4-2 conference
The Wolverines appear as a confusing team in the landscape of the Big Ten and the entire nation. They have played very poor in a number of big games this season (SMU, UConn), but have also beat Texas and Maryland, without their best player, Caris LeVert. LeVert who has struggled with injuries throughout his time in Ann Arbor, will have to stay healthy. Though, the play of guard Duncan Robinson, an absolute sniper, and rock steady point guard Derrick Walton has lifted Michigan to the top ranks of the conference, and a clear cut NCAA Tournament team.
7. Northwestern Wildcats 15-5 overall, 3-4 conference
Could this finally be the year? Could this year be the year Northwestern finally makes their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance? What Chris Collins has done in Evanston has been unbelievably impressive. The son of NBA legend Doug Collins, Chris has Northwestern playing terrific, and nearly upsetting Maryland. Bryant McIntosh leads the way, a fearless guard averaging 15.6 points per game and 7.1 assists per game. Alex Olah gives the Wildcats strength underneath, and the roster just overall has more versatility. The 'Cats get a rough three game stretch of Indiana, MSU and Iowa before a pretty easy slate. If they can steal a victory in either of those games and take care of business against inferior teams, they very well could be playing in March.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers 12-8 overall, 4-3 conference
Not much was expected out of Nebraska entering this year. They were coming off an extremely disappointing year that included head coach Tim Miles locking them out of the locker room because of their struggles, and had just lost Terran Petteway and Walter Pitchford early to the NBA (neither were drafted). Instead, the addition of former Kansas Jayhawk Andrew White has re-energized the offense that also includes the streaky Shavon Shields. An NCAA Tournament bid may be out of the question, but a NIT run would certainly be a nice way to wrap up the year in Lincoln.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes 12-8 overall, 4-3 conference
Life after D'Angelo Russell has not been easy for Ohio State. The Buckeyes began their year 2-4, with losses to Texas-Arlington and Louisiana Tech. Though, the Buckeyes have mostly settled the ship to playing competitive basketball. Jae'Sean Tate and JaQuan Lyle are unbelievably young but are starting to show signs of becoming a lethal backcourt. The versatile Marc Loving has been solid, and Ohio State has a relatively soft stretch. It could be the perfect opportunity for them to prove themselves towards some type of postseason bid.
10. Wisconsin Badgers 11-9 overall, 3-4 conference
For years Wisconsin has been the model of consistency in a chaotic and ever-changing sport. Their swing offense, large group of seniors and selfless attitude has made them a consistent NCAA Tournament squad. But, the hangover after two straight Final Fours has been rough. Bo Ryan ended his long and wonderful career abruptly and the Badgers have clearly missed Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. Though, quietly Nigel Hayes is having a big junior year and new head coach Greg Gard seems to be getting more comfortable. While a third straight trip to the Final Four is completely out of the question, the Badgers could still have plenty of momentum going forward.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions 11-9 overall, 2-5 conference
Overall, Penn State has been solid this season. Sure, nobody is going to be crazy about an 11-9 mark and an unimpressive conference mark, but the Nittany Lions have shown signs of life this year under Pat Chambers. But, losing to teams like Radford and Duquesne has not helped instill much confidence into the future of the program. Guard Shep Garner is a solid contributor, and forward Brandon Taylor has developed into a solid scorer. Penn State has plenty of experience and could be a dangerous player down the stretch. But, a postseason bid just doesn't seem very likely at this point in the year.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini 9-10 overall, 1-5 conference
After a brutal football year that included Illinois making a weird and ill-timed firing of Tim Beckham less than a week before the season, Illinois fans hoped basketball would be a saving grace. Instead, it has instilled more belief that the entire athletic department needs a makeover. John Groce is trending in the complete wrong direction, after a great start to his tenure in Champaign. Malcolm Hill has been an electric scorer this season for the Illini but he has been really the only good thing. The offense is one-dimensional, they turn the ball over way too much and they don't play hard. Unless things change quick, Groce could very well be looking somewhere else for a new gig.
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers 6-13 overall, 0-7 conference
The third year of the Richard Pitino era in Minneapolis has been brutal. The Gophers are sitting at 6-13, winless in the conference and have lost to South Dakota, South Dakota State and UW-Milwaukee. Even so, there may be a glimmer of hope for the team. Guard Nate Mason has been playing great lately, and swingman Jordan Murphy has a bright future. With the amazing amount of youth on the roster, a dip this season was expected. Gopher fans are already looking ahead to next year, when high profile in-state recruit Amir Coffey arrives on campus.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6-14 overall, 0-7 Big Ten
The aftermath of the Mike Rice scandal is still felt in the Rutgers basketball program. The team has made little progress under alum Eddie Jordan, and they lost by 50 to Purdue just days ago. Guards Corey Sanders and Bishop Daniels are solid, if rather underwhelming playmakers. But, there is little talent beyond them in Piscataway, New Jersey. Jordan will continue to recruit, but at some point the product has too change on the court.