The calendar has turned to 2024 and the Big Ten schedule is about to get into full swing. As the competition starts to heat up a few teams have moved to the top, while a few others have struggled.
Before we get to the new week we take a look at our latest Big Ten Power Rankings with a familiar team at the top.
Watch Big Ten Basketball on Fubo!
1. Purdue Boilermakers 12-1, 1-1
Last Week 1
The Boilermakers continued to roll with a win over Eastern Kentucky on Friday night. The win was their fifth in a row and has them ready for the Big Ten. They get Maryland on the road on Tuesday before playing No. 11 Illinois at home on Friday.
2. Wisconsin Badgers 9-3, 1-0
Last Week 3
The Badgers made sure they weren’t the second Big Ten team to get upset by Chicago State, as they beat the Cougars 80-53. They now get two straight home games abasing Iowa and Nebraska.
3. Northwestern Wildcats 10-3, 1-1
Last Week 4
The Wildcats won their third straight game on Friday when they beat Jackson State 74-63. They have been a pleasant surprise this season, but get tested on Tuesday when they play at Illinois.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes 11-2, 1-1
Last Week 5
The Buckeyes got a big overtime win against West Virginia on Saturday and have now won three in a row. They open Big Ten play back up with a home game against Rutgers and a road game at Indiana.
5. Indiana Hoosiers 10-3, 2-0
Last Week 6
The Hoosiers shook off a slow start to beat Kennesaw State 100-87 on Friday night. It was their 10th win as they get ready for Big Ten play. They head to Nebraska on Wednesday and play at home against Ohio State on Saturday.
6. Illinois Fighting Illini 10-2, 1-0
Last Week 2
The Fighting Illini took a huge hit this weekend when their leading scorer Terrance Shannon Jr. was suspended due to a pending legal charge. It is a major blow for the Fighting Illini as they get ready for a rough week against Northwestern and Purdue.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers 11-2, 1-1
Last Week 7
The Cornhuskers stayed hot on Friday when they beat South Carolina State on Friday night 91-62. The win moved them to an impressive 11-2 on the season as they get ready for Indiana and Wisconsin this week before playing at home against No. 1 Purdue next Tuesday.
8. Michigan State Spartans 8-5, 0-2
Last Week 8
The Spartans continue to play better as they won their fourth straight game with a victory over Indiana State on Saturday. They get a home game against Penn State on Thursday before two tough road games against Northwestern and Illinois.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers 10-3, 1-1
Last Week 10
The Golden Gophers won their fifth straight game on Friday when they beat Maine 80-62 to get their 10th win. A road game at Michigan on Thursday night is next before coming back home to play Maryland on Sunday. They can prove they are ready to compete in the Big Ten with wins in those two games.
10. Maryland Terrapins 9-4, 1-1
Last Week 11
The Terrapins also won their fifth straight game last week when they whipped Coppin State 75-53. They have now won eight of their last nine games after starting the year just 1-3. They have a tough game on Tuesday as they host Purdue before traveling to Minnesota on Sunday.
11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 8-4, 0-1
Last Week 12
The Scarlet Knights avoided a second straight loss when they beat Stonehill on Saturday night. It was their third win in the last four games as they wrapped up non-conference play. Two road games await them this week as they visit Ohio State and Iowa.
12. Michigan Wolverines 6-7, 1-1
Last Week 9
The Wolverines were the only Big Ten team to lose last week, as they were upset by McNeese State on Friday. It was their second straight loss and they are now just 3-7 in their last 10 games. They get a home game with Minnesota on Thursday to try and get things right before playing Penn State at The Palestra on Sunday.
13. Iowa Hawkeyes 8-5, 0-2
Last Week 13
The Hawkeyes beat Northern Illinois on Friday night for their third straight win. It has been a nice rebound after losing three straight, but they are going to have a tough time getting a fourth straight win as they go to No. 23 Wisconsin on Tuesday night.
14. Penn State Nittany Lions 7-6, 1-1
Last Week 14
The Nittany Lions beat Rider on Friday night, 90-63, for their second straight win. They have won three of their last four after dropping five in a row. They now get the state of Michigan this week as they travel to Michigan State on Thursday before playing Michigan at The Palestra on Sunday.
