Close wins have Michigan atop league, but not Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings

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Will Michigan State coach Tom Izzo need to wait until March to pull away from Bobby Knight for the Big Ten wins record?

A back-loaded Big Ten Conference men’s basketball schedule means none of the championship contenders have an easy closing stretch to the trophy. No one has it tougher than the Spartans, whose final seven games feature six ranked opponents and a road trip to Iowa.

Purdue must still play at Michigan State and Illinois and in the always hectic Assembly Hall environment at Indiana. Michigan still faces both ends of a home-and-home with the Spartans and home games against Illinois and Maryland.

That’s what will determine the standings. Here are our power rankings:

1. Purdue (19-6, 11-3)

Prev: 1

From awards lists to foul trouble, Boilermakers starting to feel aggrieved. Will that make them more dangerous?

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2. Michigan (19-5, 11-2)

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Five straight wins by a total of 13 points. Will that be the stretch that clinched the Big Ten championship for the Wolverines?

3. Michigan State (19-5, 10-3)

Prev: 4

Can Spartans really win the Big Ten with the worst power conference 3-point shooting percentage in the nation?

Zoned out: Mike Woodson deployed rare strategy to lead IU past Spartans

4. Illinois (17-8, 9-6)

Prev: 7

Last six games are a comfortable home game with Iowa sandwiched between five top-20 opponents.

5. Wisconsin (19-5, 9-4)

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Not necessarily Badgers’ fault that’s a soft 9-4. Can enhance resume at Purdue on Saturday, home vs. Illini on Tuesday.

6. Maryland (18-6, 8-5)

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Derik Queen 3-point shooting against Purdue: 2 for 5. Against rest of the world: 0 for 15.

7. UCLA (18-7, 9-5)

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OK seriously even Washington has won a game east of the Rockies.

8. Nebraska (16-8, 6-7)

Prev: 9

Streaky Cornhuskers followed a six-game losing streak with a four-game winning surge to move back into tourney contention.

9. Ohio State (15-10, 7-7)

Prev: 8

Sunday’s tilt with Michigan…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/close-wins-michigan-atop-league-192525926.html

Author : Indianapolis Star

Publish date : 2025-02-13 19:25:00

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