1. Wisconsin Badgers (18-2, 6-1) – All is well since the return of Frank Kaminsky. The then-No.25 Hawkeyes of Iowa posed no threat, and were downed 82-50. Michigan provided a better test for the Badgers, put were put away 69-64 in overtime. Wisconsin is 10-0 when scoring 30 or more points in the paint this season, which they accomplished against the Wolverines. (This week: Iowa)
2. Maryland Terrapins (18-3, 6-2) –The Terrapins were one incredible Dez Wells tip-in away against Northwestern from going 0-2 last week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WXXtd68DIE
Fortunately for Maryland, (and Melo Trimble,) Wells has a knack for such plays. Escaping with a last-second win against an inferior team combined with a 19-point loss to Indiana prior does not bode well for the Terrapins, but they are still number two for the time being. (This week: Ohio State)
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (16-5, 3-3) – Ohio State too had a close win against Northwestern last week, but unlike their Terrapin counterparts, they were able to take care of Indiana 82-70 on Sunday, avenging a three-point loss to them back on Jan. 10th. Freshman sensation D’Angelo Russell has hit his stride in January, and is averaging 23.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in his last five games. (This week: Maryland)
4. Indiana Hoosiers (15-5, 5-2) – Indiana can certainly score, and they showed that fact well when they buried Maryland last week. But their defense continues to bring them down, and exploits them when their shooting is off, even if just a little. Ohio State shot a blistering 62 percent overall in their win against the Hoosiers on Sunday, even after giving up 12 three-pointers. (This week: Purdue, Rutgers)
5. Michigan Wolverines (13-8, 6-3) – No Caris LeVert? No problem. The Wolverines have played very well in their last three games since losing their statistical leader in every major category for the season. They gave the Badgers all they wanted in overtime, and dominated Nebraska defensively last night in a 58-44 win. Perhaps Michigan has turned things around since their embarrassing early-season slide. (This week: Michigan State)
6. Michigan State Spartans (13-7, 4-3) – The Spartans have yet to fully recover from that blowout loss to Maryland awhile back. The six-point win over Penn State was an ugly one, but the 79-77 loss to Nebraska three days later was even worse. Tom Izzo may be close to blowing a gasket. (This week: Rutgers, Michigan)
7. Iowa Hawkeyes (13-7, 4-3) – That Top-25 ranking was rather short-lived. The Hawkeyes were dismantled by Wisconsin, and then beaten on the road by Purdue. The loss to the Boilermakers is certainly one that the Hawkeyes wish they could get back, and it will not go unnoticed by the selection committee in March. Their defense needs a vast improvement, and fast. (This week: Wisconsin)
8. Purdue Boilermakers (12-8, 4-3) – Why haven’t the Boilermakers quit shooting threes yet? Purdue is 9-41 from three-point range in their last two games, but 40-60 from inside the arc. Had they stayed inside more against Illinois, the result probably wouldn’t have been a 66-57 loss. (This week: Indiana, Northwestern)
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-8, 4-4) – The Huskers’ 4-1 run was derailed by a determined Michigan team that had no problem keeping Nebraska’s inept offense at bay. Terran Pettaway and Shavon Shields need some more help on the offensive end if the Huskers want into the bubble conversation. (This week: Minnesota)
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (13-8, 3-5) – Illinois managed to get by Purdue, but their depth issues were on full display in the loss to Minnesota on Saturday. The Illini’s tournament hopes rest on them taking care of lesser teams in the next two months. (This week: Penn State)
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-8, 2-6) – The Golden Gophers have recovered somewhat from that awful 0-5 conference start, but are yet to win on the road. With the exception of the 70-58 loss to Maryland on Jan. 3rd, single-digits have decided every other game for Minnesota in 2015, win or lose. (This week: Penn State, Nebraska)
12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-11, 2-6) – Rutgers is 0-4 since their win over a Frank Kaminsky-less Wisconsin team. (This week: Michigan State, Indiana)
13. Northwestern Wildcats (10-10, 1-6) – This team cannot catch a break. The Maryland loss was just another example. The Wildcats have now lost three-straight by two points or less. (This week: Purdue)
14. Penn State Nittany Lions (13-7, 1-6) – After a near-miss against Michigan State, the Nittany Lions finally got that first conference win against Rutgers, by a comfortable score of 79-51. D.J. Newbill had 23 points on 66 percent shooting, bringing his season average to 22.0 points per game. (This week: Minnesota, Illinois)
