BIG TEN

Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings: Week of Feb. 20

Go through the gallery to see the Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings for the week of Feb. 20 by Matt Charboneau.
Go through the gallery to see the Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings for the week of Feb. 20 by Matt Charboneau.
Michael Hickey, Getty Images
1. Purdue (22-5, 11-3) – The Boilermakers are rolling, having won five straight and eight of their last nine as Caleb Swanigan continues to show why he’s the best player in the Big Ten. Purdue will have to be sharp down the stretch as three of its last four games are on the road. Last week: 1.
1. Purdue (22-5, 11-3) – The Boilermakers are rolling, having won five straight and eight of their last nine as Caleb Swanigan continues to show why he’s the best player in the Big Ten. Purdue will have to be sharp down the stretch as three of its last four games are on the road. Last week: 1.
Michael Conroy, AP
2. Wisconsin (22-5, 11-3) – The Badgers got guard Bronson Koenig back in the lineup while Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes led the way to a win over Maryland to end a two-game skid. The Badgers spend the next week on the road, ending next weekend at Michigan State. Last week: 2.
2. Wisconsin (22-5, 11-3) – The Badgers got guard Bronson Koenig back in the lineup while Ethan Happ and Nigel Hayes led the way to a win over Maryland to end a two-game skid. The Badgers spend the next week on the road, ending next weekend at Michigan State. Last week: 2.
Stacy Revere, Getty Images
3. Maryland (22-5, 10-4) – The Terrapins picked up a big road win early in the week at Northwestern but couldn’t get two in a row after a loss at Wisconsin. Things ease up down the stretch as three of the last four games are at home for Maryland. Last week: 4.
3. Maryland (22-5, 10-4) – The Terrapins picked up a big road win early in the week at Northwestern but couldn’t get two in a row after a loss at Wisconsin. Things ease up down the stretch as three of the last four games are at home for Maryland. Last week: 4.
Andy Manis, AP
4. Northwestern (20-7, 9-5) – The Wildcats could be getting Scottie Lindsey back at just the right time as they bounced back from the home loss to Maryland to grind out a win over Rutgers. The push for the NCAA Tournament continues with two straight road games this week against Illinois and Indiana. Last week: 3.
4. Northwestern (20-7, 9-5) – The Wildcats could be getting Scottie Lindsey back at just the right time as they bounced back from the home loss to Maryland to grind out a win over Rutgers. The push for the NCAA Tournament continues with two straight road games this week against Illinois and Indiana. Last week: 3.
Nam Y. Huh, AP
5. Michigan (17-10, 7-7) -- The Wolverines saw their three-game win streak come to an end Sunday night at Minnesota, though the tight loss on the road in overtime hardly hurts Michigan’s resume. It was, however, a missed opportunity as three of the Wolverines’ final four games are on the road. Last week: 5.
5. Michigan (17-10, 7-7) -- The Wolverines saw their three-game win streak come to an end Sunday night at Minnesota, though the tight loss on the road in overtime hardly hurts Michigan’s resume. It was, however, a missed opportunity as three of the Wolverines’ final four games are on the road. Last week: 5.
Carlos Gonzalez, TNS
6. Minnesota (20-7, 8-6) – The Golden Gophers are rolling and have now won five straight, looking much more like the team that was so impressive early in the season. They’ll get quite the test this week with a trip to Maryland followed by a visit from Penn State. Last week: 7.
6. Minnesota (20-7, 8-6) – The Golden Gophers are rolling and have now won five straight, looking much more like the team that was so impressive early in the season. They’ll get quite the test this week with a trip to Maryland followed by a visit from Penn State. Last week: 7.
Jim Mone, AP
7. Michigan State (16-11, 8-6) – The inconsistencies continue for the Spartans, who now must finish the season without guard Eron Harris, who injured his knee in the loss to Purdue. MSU gets Nebraska at home this week in a game it must win before Wisconsin comes to town on the weekend. Last week: 6.
7. Michigan State (16-11, 8-6) – The inconsistencies continue for the Spartans, who now must finish the season without guard Eron Harris, who injured his knee in the loss to Purdue. MSU gets Nebraska at home this week in a game it must win before Wisconsin comes to town on the weekend. Last week: 6.
Michael Conroy, AP
8. Nebraska (12-14, 6-8) – The Cornhuskers are in a bit of a roll, winning two straight after coming into the week on a three-game skid. A win at Michigan State on Thursday would put the Huskers in decent position to finish .500 in Big Ten play. Last week: 13.
8. Nebraska (12-14, 6-8) – The Cornhuskers are in a bit of a roll, winning two straight after coming into the week on a three-game skid. A win at Michigan State on Thursday would put the Huskers in decent position to finish .500 in Big Ten play. Last week: 13.
Paul Vernon, AP
9. Penn State (14-13, 6-8) – The rollercoaster continues for the Nittany Lions, who had won two straight, including an upset over Maryland, before losing big at Nebraska. The finish will be no picnic, either, as the Lions host Purdue this week before heading to Minnesota. Last week: 8.
9. Penn State (14-13, 6-8) – The rollercoaster continues for the Nittany Lions, who had won two straight, including an upset over Maryland, before losing big at Nebraska. The finish will be no picnic, either, as the Lions host Purdue this week before heading to Minnesota. Last week: 8.
Nati Harnik, AP
10. Illinois (15-12, 5-9) – The Fighting Illini still have a shot at getting an NIT bid and this week’s win at Iowa can’t hurt. It was the second straight road victory for the Illini, who get a rematch with Northwestern at home this week before heading to Nebraska. Last week: 12.
10. Illinois (15-12, 5-9) – The Fighting Illini still have a shot at getting an NIT bid and this week’s win at Iowa can’t hurt. It was the second straight road victory for the Illini, who get a rematch with Northwestern at home this week before heading to Nebraska. Last week: 12.
Charlie Neibergall, AP
11. Iowa (14-13, 6-8) – Things are starting to come apart for the Hawkeyes, who have now lost three straight after getting beat at home by Illinois. They’ll host Indiana this week before things get really tough with two straight on the road against Maryland and Wisconsin. Last week: 10.
11. Iowa (14-13, 6-8) – Things are starting to come apart for the Hawkeyes, who have now lost three straight after getting beat at home by Illinois. They’ll host Indiana this week before things get really tough with two straight on the road against Maryland and Wisconsin. Last week: 10.
Charlie Neibergall, AP
12. Indiana (15-12, 5-9) – The Hoosiers have lost four straight and six of their last seven, the only win coming in three overtimes against Penn State. They’ll  need a huge turnaround to make the NCAA Tournament even a possibility, but it will be tough with three of the last four on the road. Last week: 11.
12. Indiana (15-12, 5-9) – The Hoosiers have lost four straight and six of their last seven, the only win coming in three overtimes against Penn State. They’ll need a huge turnaround to make the NCAA Tournament even a possibility, but it will be tough with three of the last four on the road. Last week: 11.
Jim Mone, AP
13. Ohio State (15-13, 5-10) – After winning two straight early in the month, the Buckeyes have now lost three straight and are limping to the finish. They have just three games left and are staring at an NIT bid if they play well, though nothing seems certain in Columbus these days. Last week: 9.
13. Ohio State (15-13, 5-10) – After winning two straight early in the month, the Buckeyes have now lost three straight and are limping to the finish. They have just three games left and are staring at an NIT bid if they play well, though nothing seems certain in Columbus these days. Last week: 9.
Paul Vernon, AP
14. Rutgers (13-15, 2-13) – The Scarlet Knights were game at Northwestern on Saturday, but in the end couldn’t get it done as they’ve now lost four straight and seven of eight. Their final three games are at home, but two are against Michigan and Maryland. Last week: 14.
14. Rutgers (13-15, 2-13) – The Scarlet Knights were game at Northwestern on Saturday, but in the end couldn’t get it done as they’ve now lost four straight and seven of eight. Their final three games are at home, but two are against Michigan and Maryland. Last week: 14.
Nam Y. Huh, AP