Big Ten Power Rankings 2023-24: Edition 4

Tyson Walker, Michigan State

* Records updated through morning of 2/25/2024

1. Purdue Boilermakers (24-3 overall, 13-3 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 1

As the rest of the conference has beat up on each other, the Purdue Boilermakers have stayed above the fray and are in position to land their second consecutive No. 1 seed. A shocking loss on the road to Ohio State aside, the Boilermakers have been a model of consistency, despite getting the best from every Big Ten foe on a given night. As they prepare for their final set of league games and the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, it will be interesting to see how Matt Painter chooses to play it. Does he cut back minutes for Zach Edey and their other stars to keep them fresh down the stretch? Or, do the Boilermakers keep the foot on the gas pedal? The final three games of the regular season are arguably the toughest stretch of the season, with Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Illinois, providing plenty of tune-up opportunities ahead of the postseason.

2. Illinois Fighting Illini (19-7 overall, 10-5 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 3

For as frustrating as last week's heartbreaking loss on the road to Penn State was, Illinois remains a serious threat to win the conference tournament and do damage come March. They are led by one of the most explosive offenses in the Big Ten, particularly with Terrance Shannon Jr. back in action, but finding a semblance of defense will be the key for Brad Underwood's club down the stretch. Coleman Hawkins is the type of defensive anchor they need, but the perimeter defense needs to be better, especially as they look to a final set of four games that includes strong three-point shooting teams Iowa, Purdue, and Wisconsin.

3. Northwestern Wildcats (19-8 overall, 10-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 5

Since a frustrating pair of road losses to Purdue and Minnesota, Northwestern has kicked it into another gear, with four victories in their last five. Even their lone defeat could be considered a quality one, coming on the road to a suddenly flaming hot Rutgers team. The Wildcats now find themselves firmly in the NCAA Tournament field, poised to make their first back-to-back trips in program history, and are looking to secure the double bye ahead of the Big Ten Tournament. It's a great spot to be for Chris Collins and company, and even better news? Their final four regular season games are all winnable, even if road trips to Maryland and Michigan State appear perilous, meaning the Wildcats could continue to climb in the seed line as Selection Sunday nears.

4. Wisconsin Badgers (18-9 overall, 10-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 2

Through the Big Ten season's first month, Wisconsin appeared ready to go neck-to-neck with Purdue for the conference crown. Unfortunately, February has not been kind to the Badgers, with losses in their last six and sending them reeling heading into the most important part of the season. It's not just one thing causing Wisconsin's back-slide, but offensive woes have been at the heart of it, as they've managed to surpass the 70-point threshold just twice in their last seven. Can Max Klesmit get back on track after a January to remember has been followed up by an underwhelming February? Is there another level veterans like Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn can reach? The Badgers still have a roster that can go deep in March, but they are running out of time to get things back on track, and Purdue and Illinois await on their remaining regular season schedule.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-8 overall, 9-7 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 4

Fred Hoiberg's Cornhuskers continue to take care of business, winning their last three games after a tiny two-game road skid in early February. None of the three wins will likely move the needle in a major way when it comes to Nebraska's NCAA Tournament hopes, but have been important in showcasing improved consistency from a team that had an unfortunate habit of playing down to their opponents earlier in the season. Not a single ranked team remains on the regular season schedule - while that may hurt the 'Husker's Big Dance hopes, they've already built a strong resume to this point, buoyed by victories over Purdue and Wisconsin. 

6. Michigan State Spartans (17-10 overall, 9-7 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 7

The same old script continues to repeat itself in East Lansing. The Spartans have pushed past their early season woes, and have been arguably the Big Ten's top team not named Purdue over the last month. That evolution doesn't come as much of a surprise - Tom Izzo teams always take their lumps early on, and this roster is far too talented and experienced to have been down for long. Still, a loss to Iowa at home earlier in the week showed there is still work to be done for Michigan State. The Spartans didn't even play particularly bad, it was more of the Hawkeyes shooting lights out, but this MSU team is set to see more difficult opponents down the stretch as they gear up for an NCAA Tournament run. In order to do just that, the Spartans are going to need more from their bigs, namely Maddy Sissoko - as elite of the guards on this roster are, keeping pace in the paint may end up being the X-factor.

7. Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-9 overall, 8-7 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 6

A buttery soft non-conference schedule aside, the Minnesota Golden Gophers have been one of the better stories anywhere in college basketball this winter. After a horrific 2022-23 that saw the Gophers go just 2-17 in the league and finish as one of the worst power conference teams in Division I hoops, they find themselves in the NCAA Tournament bubble mix in late February. The turnaround has been spurred by a number of things - the continued growth of Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne down low, the additions of Elijah Hawkins and Mike Mitchell Jr., and improved depth overall - and it doesn't feel like Minnesota is done just yet. With road trips to Nebraska and Illinois still remaining on the schedule, there are numerous opportunities to boost the resume, but the Gophers can't avoid the late-game woes that have become an all-too-common occurrence in the Twin Cities. 

8. Penn State Nittany Lions (14-14 overall, 8-9 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 11

It's unlikely to happen, but to my mind Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades deserves serious consideration for Big Ten Coach of the Year. Rhoades came over from VCU and inherited a roster with some of the most turnover in the league, and has them nearly at .500 inside the Big Ten with three games remaining on the schedule. The Nittany Lions haven't been intimidated by anybody on their schedule - on the contrary, they've beat a number of the conference's best, including Wisconsin and Illinois, despite missing leading scorer Kanye Clary. This is certainly a team that could be a spoiler in the Big Ten Tournament, as they're ending the year strong and look to be building momentum for a potentially much improved 2024-25.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes (16-12 overall, 8-9 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 9

Iowa remains one of the most confusing teams in the Big Ten, a team that had their share of struggles early on before finding themselves the deeper they've gotten into league play. Even so, the Hawkeyes still are prone to the occasional baffling loss, none larger than the Maryland defeat on the road on Valentine's Day. The Hawkeyes do remain in the NCAA Tournament mix after bolstering their resume as of late, but losing over the weekend to Illinois was a major missed opportunity for a team without much margin for error down the stretch. They will get the Illini again, this time in Iowa City to conclude the regular season, but they're running out of opportunities to prove themselves to the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. The Big Ten Tournament will be huge for them, and we've seen Fran McCaffery-coached teams get hot when it matters most in the past.

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (14-12 overall, 6-9 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 12

What was looking like a lost season for Rutgers changed rapidly when Jeremiah Williams was inserted into the rotation, with a four-game win streak through mid-February that suddenly had them gearing up for the postseason. Things have cooled since, with a pair of losses to Purdue and Minnesota, but with coming on the road, the Scarlet Knights still have a chance to end the campaign on a high note over their final five games. None of those five remaining games are against ranked opponents, although road trips to Lincoln and Madison will be tough to overcome for a team that struggles away from Jersey Mike's Arena. Still, Steve Pikiell's team is always a tough matchup and they are another wild card that could play spoiler over the next several weeks inside the league.

11. Maryland Terrapins (14-13 overall, 6-10 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 10

It's been a frustrating second season for Kevin Willard in College Park, as Maryland suffered several baffling losses in the non-conference and now find themselves near the bottom of the Big Ten standings in late February. Jahmir Young continues to be the only consistent source of offense for the Terrapins, but hasn't been enough to carry them to victory in consecutive close losses to Illinois and Wisconsin. The final stretch of conference games will be all about building momentum for next winter and on the bright side, the recent commitment of five-star center Derik Queen provides some solace for a team unlikely to be playing in the postseason.

12. Ohio State Buckeyes (15-12 overall, 5-11 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 13

Two straight frustrating seasons in Columbus doomed Chris Holtmann's tenure, and the program is now searching for new life as they look ahead to 2024-25 and beyond. It remains one of the more attractive jobs in the Big Ten, nestled in a great recruiting area and with plenty of NIL firepower, which means plenty of big names are going to be connected to it. But in the meantime, the Buckeyes are still playing hard under interim Jake Diebler, and the shocking upset of Purdue last week showed this team won't give up without a fight. The NIT is still very much on the table for the Buckeyes and without a ranked foe remaining on the schedule, they still have plenty to play for.

13. Indiana Hoosiers (14-13 overall, 6-10 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 8

Will Mike Woodson get a fourth year leading the Indiana Hoosiers? That's the question swirling around Bloomington as they've sunk near the bottom of the conference standings. Woodson was a strange hire at the time and while there have been a few good moments, Indiana simply has not won as much as the fans believe they should at this point in his tenure. Four consecutive losses have not helped, and the prognosis for ending the year strong doesn't appear encouraging - Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan State are all better basketball teams at this point than the Hoosiers and the lone winnable game (Maryland) comes on the road. Add in Woodson's struggles on the recruiting trail, it just feels like a change is needed with the Big Ten set to expand for the 2024-25 season.

14. Michigan Wolverines (8-19 overall, 3-13 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 14

Chris Holtmann may be gone and Mike Woodson potentially out the door, but Juwan Howard's hot seat isn't far behind after a disastrous 2023-24. The Wolverines have been situated at the bottom of the conference essentially the entire season, and it's hard to take away any bright spots from the year. It's particularly baffling because the ingredients aren't terrible - Dug McDaniel is one of the most exciting young guards in the league, Olivier Nkamhoua and Nimari Burnett have been winning players elsewhere, and Terrance Williams II has quietly had a productive campaign. But, they just haven't worked together and the overall energy around the program is missing. It will be difficult to move on from Howard, one of the architects of the "Fab Five" but it's worth watching as we look towards the offseason.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2023-24: Edition 3

Chucky Hepburn, Wisconsin

 * Records updated through 2/6/2024

1. Purdue Boilermakers (21-2 overall, 10-2 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 1

For the third straight time, Purdue remains perched atop these rankings, solidifying their hold on the league with a 75-69 victory over Wisconsin over the weekend. It was the type of road win that displayed just how many ways this team can win - neither team shot the ball particularly well in a low-scoring, physical affair but Purdue's edge on the glass and in the paint helped them prevail. It also kicked off a month of February that looks very favorable for the Boilermakers, a month they could realistically go undefeated in if they continue their impressive play. They get Indiana and Minnesota at home, go on the road to Ohio State, and then Rutgers and Michigan to close out the month. It wouldn't be a surprise at all to see the Boilermakers enter the month of March with the league title and No. 1 seed just about locked up.

2. Wisconsin Badgers (16-6 overall, 8-3 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 2

A pair of losses over the last week has Wisconsin going back to the drawing board, but neither defeat should be cause for serious concern in Madison. They dropped a close contest on the road to Nebraska in a classic look-ahead spot and then gave Purdue all they could handle over 40 minutes at the Kohl Center before coming up just short. It will be back on the road over their next two games, but the Badgers still remain in strong position to battle their way into a 2-3 seed come Selection Sunday, assuming they can get back on track. That will require them to find their shooting stroke again from downtown after going a horrific 3-19 from downtown in the Purdue loss. Others will need to emerge beyond Max Klesmit, particularly A.J. Storr, who fell back to Earth with a rough showing over the weekend.

3. Illinois Fighting Illini (17-5 overall, 8-3 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 3

You could certainly make the case that Illinois deserves the second spot as they've ripped off three straight victories, but we'll need to wait until early March to get a definitive answer on whether the Illini or Badgers are the greatest threat to Purdue inside the league. The Illini certainly seem to be playing better offensively, hitting 80 points or above in five of their last six games, but they'll need to find some semblance of defense if they wish to continue their recent hot streak. That means others stepping up on that end of the court beyond big man Coleman Hawkins, who currently leads the team in both blocks and steals.

4. Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-7 overall, 6-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 5

One thing is becoming increasingly clear the deeper we get into the Big Ten season - Fred Hoiberg's Cornhuskers are legit. Despite several ugly results mixed into their record, notably road defeats to Rutgers and Maryland, the 'Huskers own one of the stronger resumes in the conference, with victories over Purdue and Wisconsin to their credit. The key now will be developing more consistency, and the schedule shapes up nicely to do just that. After traveling to Evanston to face off with Northwestern, the Cornhuskers get Michigan and Penn State back in Lincoln, two opportunities to improve their record and ensure they are on the right side of the bubble the closer we get to Selection Sunday.

5. Northwestern Wildcats (15-7 overall, 6-5 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 4

It was a frustrating past week for Northwestern, dropping a pair of hard-fought games that could have easily gone the other way. Losing to Purdue on the road in an overtime thriller is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Wildcats have to feel like they let one get away during this Saturday's defeat at the hands of Minnesota, leading by nine points deep into the second half. At this point, we know who Northwestern is - Boo Buie and their tremendous guard play gives them a chance in every game, but the lack of proven contributors on the interior leave them susceptible against the elite bigs they see on a regular basis in the Big Ten. Things go get easier with a stretch of games that includes Nebraska, Penn State, and Rutgers, but there's plenty of work to be done over the next month-and-half as the Wildcats hope to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.

6. Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-7 overall, 6-5 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 8

After a surprising 3-1 start to Big Ten play, things seemed to be going south in a hurry for Ben Johnson's club, with four straight losses sinking them to the bottom half of the league standings. But, the Gophers have responded in a way that we just didn't see over the first two seasons of Johnson's tenure, beating Penn State, Northwestern, and Michigan State to get back over .500 in the conference. They remain frustratingly inconsistent, but there's plenty of reason for optimism as Minnesota prepares for the back half of the conference schedule. Dawson Garcia has evolved into a bonafide superstar, Elijah Hawkins is one of the most exciting players in the conference, and the Gophers have their deepest roster they've had in some time. They remain on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament but the Michigan State was a major resume-booster for a team that needed it, and the fact this team has anything to play for into February is a welcome change.

7. Michigan State Spartans (14-9 overall, 6-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 10

Another year in East Lansing, and the same old script seems to be repeating itself. The Spartans had a rough go of things in the non-conference and early portion of Big Ten play, but have been one of the league's best teams over the past month. They entered Tuesdays night winners of five of their last six games, with their lone loss coming to Wisconsin, but were unable to come out victorious in a hard-fought loss in the Twin Cities to Minnesota. Despite that defeat, Tom Izzo's team is clearly finding their rhythm at the right time as they've gotten healthier, and this is arguably the Big Ten's best roster top-to-bottom. They have two capable, experienced lead guards in Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard, a healthy Malik Hall as the glue guy, and a flaming hot Jaden Akins to pour it on from the outside. This is a team that nobody wants to play right now, but we'll learn a lot more over the next couple weeks, with the Spartans playing three of their next four on the road and getting a Top 10 Illinois in East Lansing.

8. Indiana Hoosiers (14-9 overall, 6-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 6

Indiana's Big Ten record was buoyed by winning three of their first four games in the conference, but they've faltered over the last several weeks and now find themselves desperately needing a momentum shift in early February. To be fair to the Hoosiers, the schedule has been absolutely brutal, with three ranked opponents over their last six, and it hasn't helped that star big man Kel'el Ware has been banged up. Yet, the problem remains clear in Bloomington - they star power and a trio of impressive frontcourt pieces, but they need more from the backcourt if they have any hopes of getting back on track. The continued poor health of guard Xavier Johnson has put a real strain on the entire roster - the veteran seemed to be working his way back, but has missed the last two games, including Tuesday night's win over Ohio State. If the Hoosiers have any hopes of a potential NCAA Tournament run, they need him back in action. 

9. Iowa Hawkeyes (13-9 overall, 5-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 7

Fran McCaffery's Hawkeyes remain a very difficult team to get a read on this winter. They appeared to be turning a corner with three straight wins through mid-January, but then have followed it up with three losses in their last four, including winnable games against Indiana and Maryland. As usual, Iowa hasn't had any issues putting the ball in the net, once again featuring one of the league's most explosive offenses, but defensive woes and turnover problems have made them awfully streaky. There's plenty of time for the Hawkeyes to flip the script before a treacherous late February and March slate, but time is quickly running out for this team to have any shot at another postseason berth.

10. Maryland Terrapins (13-10 overall, 5-7 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 9

Speaking of teams that are difficult to get a read on, Maryland comes in at ten in these rankings, despite the fact they could be much higher. They've had a frustrating go of it trying to close out games - their last three losses, prior to their Tuesday night defeat at the hands of Rutgers came by a combined 14 points. Kevin Willard needs to figure out some way to get this team to finish off strong, because the roster has plenty of weapons and College Park remains an exceptionally difficult place to play. That likely means somebody beyond Jahmir Young showing they can handle the offensive load, a consistent issue for a team whose average of 69.5 PPG ranks them 325th nationally.

11. Penn State Nittany Lions (11-11 overall, 5-6 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 12

Penn State almost certainly isn't going to be going to the postseason in Mike Rhoades' first season, but this team deserves a lot of credit for the season they've put together after an offseason of turnover. They've been a .500 team in one of the most balanced leagues in America and have proven they can go out and beat just about anybody on any given night, with a victory over Wisconsin to their credit. The Nittany Lions could easily be a spoiler down the stretch, as they face off with three straight opponents over the next several weeks aiming to bolster their NCAA Tournament resumes in Michigan State, Northwestern, and Nebraska. 

12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-10 overall, 4-7 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 13

It's been a down season in Piscataway but one thing about Steve Pikiell-coached teams is that they never give up fighting. The Scarlet Knights have ripped off two straight road victories, bumping them up to 4-7 in the conference and giving them much-needed momentum as they prepare for the final stretch of the campaign. The offense continues to be an issue, although a healthy Mawot Mag has made a huge difference, but Pikiell seems just fine playing his typical grind it out style. With Wisconsin and Northwestern set to travel to Jersey Mike's Arena next, the Scarlet Knights could be a feisty foe to watch through the month of February.

13. Ohio State Buckeyes (13-10 overall, 3-9 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 11

It's becoming increasingly clear that Ohio State's shocking downfall in 2022-23 was not simply an aberration - the program has real problems they need to solve. Five straight losses have placed them near the bottom of the Big Ten standings, and the path forward isn't clear. The lone glimmer of hope is that they've played things tight over their last two, losing by two to Iowa and three to Indiana. Unfortunately, their reward? A back-to-back with Wisconsin and Purdue next week. They do play Maryland before then, an opportunity to get things right against another team not playing their best basketball, but the season appears lost at this point. It's not crazy to think head coach Chris Holtmann could be heading to the hot seat after an impressive run of consistency over his first five seasons at the helm. 

14. Michigan Wolverines (7-15 overall, 2-9 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 14

Did Michigan athletics sell their soul to win a National Title? As the Wolverine faithful watches Jim Harbaugh return to the NFL and take a host of assistants with him, the results on the hardwood have given them little reason for optimism. Juwan Howard's team has lost five straight games, including a 10-point defeat at home to Rutgers that felt like one of their final chances to steal away a conference win. The roster simply lacks any offensive explosiveness beyond Dug McDaniel, and with a tough stretch ahead of them, it's hard to imagine any significant turnaround coming in Ann Arbor.

Big Ten Power Rankings 2023-24: Edition 2

Boo Buie, Northwestern

* records updated through the morning of 1/17/2024

 1. Purdue Boilermakers (15-2 overall, 4-2 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 1

The Purdue Boilermakers haven't been perfect through the initial stretch of Big Ten league play, but the conference's best roster top-to-bottom means that they remain team to beat until someone proves differently. Zach Edey remains the obvious advantage as he races towards what could be a second consecutive National Player of the Year Award, but the deeper we get into the season, the more importance the play of this backcourt will be on Purdue's eventual success. Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have shown displayed growth over the course of their sophomore seasons and made this offense much more explosive, but it's the play of Southern Illinois transfer Lance Jones that has been the welcome surprise. The fifth-year vet has been playing key minutes and putting up productive numbers across the board, scoring in double-digits in four straight contests. More importantly, his experience is what this backcourt was lacking a season ago, leading to their eventual demise - Jones could help flip the script this time around.

2. Wisconsin Badgers (13-3 overall, 5-0 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 3

Since jumping out to their first 5-0 start in the conference since 2007-08, the Badgers were caught up in the chaos of the week, losing on the road Tuesday night to Penn State. It's certainly no cause for concern, and they have an opportunity to immediately make amends over the weekend against Indiana. Now at 5-1, their record has been buoyed by the fact the Badgers have gotten three of their first five at home and avoided nearly all of the other conference heavyweights, but this isn't a case of a team beating up on inferior opponents - Wisconsin has won each of their five league games by double-digits. Things will pick up with a tough end to the month and difficult early February, but the Badgers haven't shown any signs of slowing down - they could easily rise to the top spot in these rankings in short order.

3. Illinois Fighting Illini (12-4 overall, 3-2 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 2

Despite all the controversy that surrounds star Terrance Shannon Jr. off-the-court, the Fighting Illini have been impressive on the hardwood through mid-January. Senior forward Marcus Domask has stepped up and taken on a leading role as a scorer, but it's the frontcourt that appears to be the X-factor for the Illini going forward. Quincy Guerrier and Coleman Hawkins have been productive when healthy, but I'm still waiting to see if big man Dain Dainja can reach another gear after a slow start to the campaign. Dainja averaged nearly 21 minutes per game in 2022-23, but has seen his role diminished to single-digit minutes this winter. As the Illini hit the meat of Big Ten play and consistently square off against the elite bigs the league has to offer, Dainja feels like the type of player who could see his role expand.

4. Northwestern Wildcats (12-4 overall, 3-2 Big Ten)

Previous Ranking: 4

A 30-point blowout loss to begin January seemed like an ominous sign for Northwestern, but the Wildcats have quickly righted the ship with victories in two of their last three (and the only defeat coming at the hands of the flaming hot Wisconsin Badgers). Boo Buie continues to be one of the league's most dominant offensive weapons, but it's the Wildcat supporting cast that doesn't receive the respect it deserves. Performances like Brooks Barnhizer's 23-point outburst to power past Penn State or Ty Berry's 22-point showing against Michigan State were lacking at times last winter, showcasing the depth that Chris Collins has worked hard to build. That should help carry this team deep into league play, with the schedule set to pick up in a major way in late January.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-4 overall, 3-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 14

Not since 2014 under Tim Miles have the Nebraska Cornhuskers played in an NCAA Tournament, but the 2023-2024 edition looks like they have a legitimate shot to change that in Lincoln. It was difficult to read get a read on this team after a soft non-conference slate, but the 'Huskers have proven their worth in Big Ten play up to this point, with two of the most impressive conference wins of the season over Purdue and Indiana. Both games felt like the culmination of all the hard work Fred Hoiberg has done in turning around this downtrodden program - they took care of the basketball, shot the ball incredibly well, and fed off the energy that a revived Pinnacle Bank Arena has to offer. There certainly is plenty of work to be done, but this is a well-rounded basketball team that has no issues going up against the top dogs of the conference - they're going to be a tough out down the stretch.

6. Indiana Hoosiers (12-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 5

Leaning on a young, albeit talented core, it's no surprise that Indiana has looked incredibly streaky over the early portion of league play. They've beat just about everyone they should, with Rutgers being the notable exception, but weren't competitive in a 21-point drubbing at the hands of arch-rival Purdue on Tuesday night. One can somewhat excuse the loss considering it was at Mackey Arena, but it's clear this team is going to need more production from their backcourt if they have any hopes of keeping their NCAA Tournament dreams alive. That likely hinges on veteran Xavier Johnson getting not only back to 100 percent, but getting back into the swing of things in this offense. Johnson has missed seven games with an ankle injury, and then was held out of the starting lineup for the second straight game during the Purdue loss. He's far too important to be coming off the bench, even if Trey Galloway has stepped up and handled the scoring burden in recent contests.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes (11-6 overall, 3-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 9

It looked like Iowa was bound for a rebuilding campaign after an 0-3 start to Big Ten action, but one thing has become increasingly clear now that he's the program's all-time wins leader: never count out Fran McCaffery. His Hawkeyes have responded by winning three straight, including an 18-point victory over Nebraska in Iowa City and an impressive road win over Minnesota. Now all of the sudden, Iowa's postseason hopes are renewed, although they have plenty of work to do to build up a resume that is short on quality wins. That could change over the weekend, as the Hawkeyes welcome Zach Edey and Purdue to town in a game that is sure to keep the scoreboard operators busy.

8. Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-5 overall, 3-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 11

Considering Minnesota managed just two league victories all of 2022-23, three conference wins at this point in the season is a remarkable achievement for Ben Johnson and company. With that being said, two straight ugly losses have erased the notion of a potential "Cinderella" story in the Twin Cities and left the team scrambling for answers as they prep for a road trip to East Lansing. The road defeat to Indiana was certainly understandable considering Minnesota's longtime struggles at Assembly Hall, but the poor showing against Iowa felt deflating. Elijah Hawkins and Mike Mitchell have been significant improvements over what the Gophers had a season ago, but both have struggled to find a consistent rhythm shooting the ball and in Hawkins case, he's been a complete liability on the defensive end of the court. There's plenty of time to figure things out and two consecutive defeats is nothing to panic about in this league, but the schedule shows no signs of slowing down - not since 2015 have the Gophers gone into Spartan territory and come out on top against Michigan State.

9. Maryland Terrapins (11-6 overall, 3-3 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 8

For as concerning as Maryland's non-conference performance was at times, the Terps have managed to figure things out through the early Big Ten slate and a road win at Illinois over the weekend showcased their full potential. Against the Illini, Maryland finally found their offense over a full 40 minutes but more importantly, put together their most complete stretch of defense on the year, holding Illinois to just 33% from the field and under 28% from three. That bodes well for the Terrapins as they begin a difficult stretch of games against explosive offenses, including Northwestern, Michigan State, Iowa, and Nebraska to wrap up the month.

10. Michigan State Spartans (10-7 overall, 2-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 7

This is not the first time we've seen Michigan State struggle through non-conference and the early Big Ten slate, but time is running out for this team to turn it into high gear. Fortunately, the last few weeks have given for optimism - for one, beating Rutgers soundly was a nice start, but more important was the fact the Spartans gave Illinois all they could handle in Champaign before coming up short, 71-68. Others are finally starting to emerge offensively beyond just Tyson Walker, notably Malik Hall, and the defense has looked reinvigorated their last two times out. Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done, but this is beginning to feel more and more like the makings of another magical late season run from Tom Izzo. 

11. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 6

Three straight losses, including one to an extremely beatable Michigan team, has Chris Holtmann going back to the drawing board as the Buckeyes prepare for a road-heavy next several weeks. The main problem is painstakingly clear: the offense has completely disappeared, which has included a disastrous three-point shooting slump that few could overcome. Jamison Battle has still been shooting the ball well, even coming off a rough showing against Michigan, but the Buckeyes are lacking any other scorer who can consistently score from deep. That's left them looking to bruise down low, an ineffective method against many of the physical and defensively sound Big Ten teams on their schedule. It's up to Holtmann to come up with something new and different to spark things, or else the season could continue its downward spiral quick considering the upcoming schedule.

12. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-9 overall, 3-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 13

Penn State almost certainly is not going to the postseason in the debut campaign of head coach Mike Rhoades, but this remains a feisty Nittany Lion team that could surprise a few folks down the stretch. After three losses in the previous four games, including a pair of blowouts, Penn State pulled off a major upset by knocking Wisconsin from the ranks of the undefeated. They remain a team that can scratch and claw their way into just about any matchup in the conference, and are the just about the last team you want to see on the road or on a short week of rest. That may not sound like much after the highs of the 2022-23 season in Happy Valley, but building a program in this league is never easy, and Rhoades will hope to bring these positives forward as they look ahead to next season.

13. Michigan Wolverines (7-10 overall, 2-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 12

Was the magic of the Fab Five's return to Ann Arbor all Michigan needed to turn around a season that was heading for disaster? It seems unlikely, but the Wolverines at least gathered some momentum after a 73-65 home win against Ohio State. They're going to need it as they prepare for stretch that includes Illinois and road trips to Purdue and East Lansing, particularly considering star guard Dug McDaniel's suspension. But, even that suspension is a perfect representation of just how strange this winter has been - McDaniel is suspended for road games only, but still expected to dress for games at the Crisler Center. It's simply continuation of a sense of uneasiness that has pervaded the program for some time now, and has Wolverine fans already looking forward to football season.

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (9-7 overall, 1-4 Big Ten)

Previous Rank: 10

A season-opening loss to instate foe Princeton set the stage for what has been a frustrating 2023-24 in Piscataway, which has only continued in conference play. The Scarlet Knights are off to a 1-4 start in the conference, and the momentum gained in their lone win over Indiana was quickly erased by an 18-point defeat at the hands of Michigan State. There's still hope things can be turned around, but Rutgers desperately needs their offense to find some type of rhythm - perhaps a fully healthy Mawot Mag could be that spark. Mag, who has played in just eight games this season, has scored in double-digits in each of his last four games, including 24 against Iowa. 

Big Ten Power Rankings 2023-24: Edition 1

Zach Edey, Purdue

1. Purdue Boilermakers (8-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten)

Purdue may have opened up league play with a surprising loss at the hands of Northwestern, but the Boilermakers have already built a resume that has them on the inside track towards a No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday. Wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, and Marquette demonstrate that Purdue will not only hang among the nation's elite, but that they can defeat opponents with a wide range of play styles. In fact, the Northwestern defeat could actually end up being a positive for the program, providing them the wakeup call they need to overcome a precarious slate before the meat of the Big Ten schedule arrives. That slate includes the nation's new No. 1, Arizona, who will come to Indianapolis to square off against Purdue in the 2023 Indy Classic.

2. Illinois Fighting Illini (7-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten)

An 18-point victory on the road was a resounding statement from an Illinois team that has serious Big Ten Title aspirations, but even more impressive? The Fighting Illini's encore, when they crushed No. 11 Florida Atlantic in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, 98-89. It feels like both games are indicative of the type of product the Illini will put on the court in 2023-24 - they're going to score plenty of points, but it will be up to their defense to determine their ceiling this winter. If the Rutgers game was any indication, things are looking bright in Champaign - they only forced 10 Scarlet Knight turnovers, but held them to 33% shooting and 58 points.

3. Wisconsin Badgers (7-2 overall, 1-0 Big Ten)

Two losses in their first three games seemed to indicate the same old offensive woes would plague Wisconsin once again this season, but they've quickly turned things around and have been one of the hottest teams in the country over the last month. Beating in-state rival Marquette and then going on the road and handling Michigan State was quite the statement from Greg Gard's club, and the good news? They've done so with sophomore sharpshooter Connor Essegian playing far below 100 percent as he nurses a back injury he sustained in the Tennessee loss. After playing just seven minutes total in the Marquette and MSU wins, the Badgers will be eager to get the youngster back at full strength, as they need him when they travel to Tucson to face Arizona this upcoming weekend.

4. Northwestern Wildcats (6-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten)

Chris Collins worked his way off the hot seat with an impressive 2022-23 campaign that saw the Wildcats finish tied for second in the league, and it's looking like he's preparing for a grand encore. After a quiet non-conference, the Wildcats opened up Big Ten action with a bang, shocking top-ranked Purdue in Evanston, 92-88. Northwestern did so even with Zach Edey still scoring 35 points, as Boo Buie responded with 31 points of his own, and the Wildcats gained a significant edge in the turnover battle, with just three compared to Purdue's 17. But, in order to prove that they can seriously challenge for league supremacy, Northwestern will have to do more than just pull out one huge victory, and the rest of the non-conference schedule isn't exactly loaded with heavyweights. But, perhaps that should provide this team further momentum before they jump back into Big Ten play with a road tilt against Illinois in early January.

5. Indiana Hoosiers (7-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten)

Thanks to victories over Maryland and Michigan, it is the Indiana Hoosiers who currently sit atop the Big Ten standings at 2-0. Yet, there's still plenty of work to be done, and the Hoosiers still have plenty to prove in the month of December before league play resumes. But, I will say, this team has a really interesting feel to it, a real throwback in the context of modern college basketball. They're going to lean heavily on their post game, with Kel'el Ware and Malik Reneau as their top two scorers, while true freshman sensation Mackenzie Mgbako continues to acclimate himself to the collegiate game. Mike Woodson has an intriguing situation here, but whether that means the Hoosiers are ready to seriously challenge in the Big Ten remains to be seen.

6. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten)

The disaster that was the 2022-23 campaign for Ohio State always felt like more of a one-off than the beginning of a trend for Chris Holtmann, and the program has responded in a big way so far this winter. They are 8-1 to begin the year and their lone defeat came at the hands of a quality Texas A&M team, albeit at home. A road tilt with Penn State gives them the opportunity to move to 2-0 early on in the Big Ten season, and they'll get a chance for two additional resume-boosting wins in the month of December with UCLA and West Virginia.

7. Michigan State Spartans (4-4 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)

There's no denying that Michigan State has been a massive disappointment up to this point in the year, but more and more this is starting to feel like a typical Tom Izzo season. The Spartans have struggled in the non-conference and lost their Big Ten opener to Wisconsin, but it hasn't been uncommon for the program to take lumps early on before they find their groove over the season's final months. And, the reality is that this team is still extremely talented - Tyson Walker and A.J. Hoggard remain an imposing 1-2 punch in the backcourt, a healthy Malik Hall is a true difference-maker, and the youngsters are going to put it all together eventually. Michigan State may be situated down here at seven at the moment, but it feels like only a matter of time before they quickly ascend these rankings.

8. Maryland Terrapins (5-4 overall, 1-1 Big Ten)

A pair of close, surprising losses to Davidson and UAB seemed to knock Maryland down the Big Ten pecking order, but the Terrapins have responded nicely over the last several weeks. They've taken care of business against the teams they should beat and after losing to Indiana to open up the conference schedule, they won a thriller over Penn State earlier in the week. The offense is clearly still working out some kinks beyond Jahmir Young, but this remains a deep and talented team, and it wouldn't be surprising if they're able to turn things around and get back on track towards making the NCAA Tournament. Plenty of resume-boosting opportunities abound, even if the rest of the non-conference slate remains awfully soft.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)

Iowa will square off with Michigan over the weekend in a game that will tell us quite a bit about both teams, particularly after underwhelming starts to the 2023-24 campaign. The Hawkeyes have had a rough go of things in the non-conference, fresh off a 25-point loss to their Cy-Hawk rival Iowa State, and lost by 19 on the road to Purdue to open up Big Ten play. We know the Hawkeyes can still score, as they're averaging nearly 88 points per game, but it's a buttery soft defense that has created the 5-4 start. In fact, opponents have scored at least 87 points in three of Iowa's four losses up to this point in the year.

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-3 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)

Rutgers has celebrated some major wins on the recruiting trail recently, but the product on the court has been less than impressive. An 18-point loss to Illinois at home is at least somewhat understandable considering how hot the Illini have been, but losses to Princeton and Wake Forest seem to indicate this could be a rebuilding campaign in Piscataway. The offense has struggled mightily, and someone needs to emerge if this team has any chance of climbing their way out of the bottom of the Big Ten rankings.

11. Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3 overall, 1-1 Big Ten)

In just two league games, Minnesota has nearly matched last year's conference win total (two), as they completed an impressive comeback against Nebraska earlier in the week. This team still has notable deficencies, but Dawson Garcia's growth into an All-Big Ten talent gives them a bonafide top scorer, and the depth on the roster has improved significantly. If the young guys, notably Braeden Carrington and Pharrel Payne, continue to grow, this Gopher team could be feisty and potentially open the door for something special in 2024-25.

12. Michigan Wolverines (4-5 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)

Juwan Howard's seat was at least warming prior to the 2023-24 campaign, and a rough start has turned up the temperature in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have lost three straight entering the weekend, and have quite the stain on their postseason resume with a home defeat to Long Beach State. Perhaps they could turn things around - Howard has done it before - but it just feels like the roster is missing the necessary pieces to do so. Dug McDaniel and Olivier Nkamhoua have carried the offense so far, and it's hard to see if anyone else is going to emerge and turn the tide for the Wolverines.

13. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-5 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)

It wouldn't be surprising if Mike Rhoades' first team in Happy Valley suffers through an up-and-down campaign, although the Nittany Lions nearly went into College Park and pulled out a win against Maryland this week. Kanye Clary and Ace Baldwin Jr., who followed Rhoades from VCU, give this backcourt plenty of punch, but it's the development of the frontcourt that looks to be the X-factor on the season. Qudus Wahab is back in the Big Ten, but the Nittany Lions will need others to step up if they want to survive a league brimming with elite post talent.

14. Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)

Nebraska's 7-2 record looks a bit more impressive at face value than it actually is, considering they've beat up on a soft non-conference schedule before a pair of losses over the last week. The loss to Creighton at home doesn't feel like a big deal, but the 'Huskers had a chance to close out Minnesota on the road earlier in the week and squandered it. Clearly, Fred Hoiberg's team is still figuring things out, but this team could be dangerous if things come together, making this last-place ranking obsolete. At the very least, guard Keisei Tominaga, who has earned the nickname, "Japanese Steph Curry" gives fans reason to tune in each and every night.