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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Week 11 edition

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) celebrates a blocked shot with guard Joshua Langford (1) during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Palestra. Penn State won 72-63. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) celebrates a blocked shot with guard Joshua Langford (1) during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Palestra. Penn State won 72-63. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers reacts after the game to defeating the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Wisconsin defeats Indiana 75-68. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers reacts after the game to defeating the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall. Wisconsin defeats Indiana 75-68. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Traveling to Iowa is never an easy task, and the No. 1 (in our power rankings) Boilermakers proved that last week by losing a tough five-point game to the struggling Hawkeyes. There’s only so much that Caleb Swanigan and Isaac Haas can do for this team that if they aren’t carrying the load, guys like Vince Edwards have a hard time making up for the lack of production. Purdue may just have the best post presence in the conference, but they need a more complete look.

Maryland has overtaken the role as the conference’s hottest team and the Terrapins just don’t get the love they deserve. Starting conference play out with a loss to Nebraska, the Terrapins have since hit their stride and look to be on track to finish the regular season in the top-three in the standings. Sure, we aren’t even halfway through the Big Ten season, but the Terrapins look like one of three or four teams to beat. Maryland took down Indiana and toughed out Illinois on the road to extend their overall record to 16-2 — the best mark in the conference.

Wisconsin was the overwhelming favorite to win the Big Ten prior to the season essentially because the Badgers were bringing back just about everyone from last year’s team. Nigel Hayes decided to put off the NBA, Bronson Koenig was one of the team’s top scorers last year and Ethan Happ is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year. This team has the talent to make a run at the national title, not just the Big Ten crown. The Badgers had just one game in Week 10, beating Ohio State by a solid 23 points at home.

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