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Big Ten College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 7

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By @Connormuldowney

Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 7

Maryland
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Week six of the college basketball season featured some major upsets, including the Texas Southern over Michigan State debacle. What could week seven possibly bring that would be even more exciting and surprising than the previous one?

Lets take a look at the power rankings for week seven of Big Ten play.

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-5); Last week: 14

Rutgers
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-5); Last week: 14

Rutgers
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

It's no surprise the Scarlet Knights are last in our power rankings for yet another week. You can't lose to teams like St. Francis on a regular basis and expect to move out of the cellar.

This week: vs. Sacred Heart, at Monmouth

13. Northwestern Wildcats (8-4); Last week: 13

Northwestern
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

13. Northwestern Wildcats (8-4); Last week: 13

Northwestern
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern is just a couple of steps ahead of Rutgers on this list. Despite having an 8-4 record, the Wildcats got blown out, 80-67, at home against Central Michigan last week. This team has zero quality wins to its name.

This week: vs. Northern Kentucky

12. Purdue Boilermakers (8-5); Last week: 10

Purdue
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

12. Purdue Boilermakers (8-5); Last week: 10

Purdue
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue would be a few slots higher in the power rankings had it not lost to Gardner Webb, marking the third consecutive loss by the Boilermakers. That is the definition of kicking a team when it's down.

This week: No games

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-4); Last week: 11

Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-4); Last week: 11

Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

A late Monday night loss against Hawaii was all it took for me to prevent any movement upward for Nebraska. Although Hawaii is 9-3 and a solid 6-1 at home, Nebraska was a preseason Top 25 team with hopes of winning a Big Ten title. Now, it looks like the Cornhuskers will have trouble making the Tournament.

This week: vs. Loyola Marymount

10. Michigan Wolverines (7-5); Last week: 12

Michigan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

10. Michigan Wolverines (7-5); Last week: 12

Michigan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan had one last chance to record a non-conference win before Big Ten play and Coppin State was standing in its way. However, the Wolverines finally took care of business, ending a four-game losing skid -- three of which came at home against underdogs.

This week: No games

9. Michigan State Spartans (9-4); Last week: 5

Michigan State
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

9. Michigan State Spartans (9-4); Last week: 5

Michigan State
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State had hoped to head into Big Ten play with a big win after losing to Texas Southern in embarrassing fashion on Saturday. The Spartans took out their anger on The Citadel, winning by 26. This team could contend for a conference title when they are clicking on all cylinders and not playing down to opponents.

This week: No games

8. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-4); Last week: 6

Iowa
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

8. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-4); Last week: 6

Iowa
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa ended a two-game losing streak with a win over North Florida on Monday as it prepared to Big Ten play in a week's time. This team has only suffered losses to solid opponents, but to be the best, it needs to starting beating the best -- starting with Ohio State next week.

This week: No games

7. Indiana Hoosiers (10-2); Last week: 9

Indiana
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

7. Indiana Hoosiers (10-2); Last week: 9

Indiana
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Talk about a team who has surprised the rest of the conference. Indiana was not expected to be much of anything this season, but the Hoosiers have put together a solid 10-2 start, beating teams like SMU, Pittsburgh and Butler. The Hoosiers have one more solid test before conference play begins.

This week: vs. Georgetown (at Madison Square Garden)

6. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-1); Last week: 7

Penn State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

6. Penn State Nittany Lions (12-1); Last week: 7

Penn State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Who would have thought the Penn State Nittany Lions would be 12-1 heading into conference action? Definitely not this guy. It's hard to put Penn State higher on the list because it hasn't beaten anyone with a pulse just yet. Once the Nittany Lions start beating up on Big Ten teams, then they can start moving up drastically.

This week: No games

5. Illinois Fighting Illini (9-3); Last week: 8

Illinois
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

5. Illinois Fighting Illini (9-3); Last week: 8

Illinois
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Three spots is a lot to move up in my weekly power rankings, but the Fighting Illini proved that they belong near the top of the conference. The Illini have had a few tough losses in the month of December, but they rebounded nicely to put together a 9-3 mark just one game before Big Ten play.

This week: vs. Kennesaw St.

4. Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-2); Last week: 4

Minnesota
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-2); Last week: 4

Minnesota
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, the Golden Gophers haven't beaten a ranked opponent yet this season so movement in this week's power rankings wasn't warranted despite a 10-2 record. The only two tough games they have had resulted in losses so it will be interesting to see how Richard Pitino's squad fares in Big Ten action.

This week: vs. UNC Wilmington

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2); Last week: 2

Ohio State
Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2); Last week: 2

Ohio State
Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes forfeited their position in the No. 2 spot in my rankings for the first time all year. After a tough loss to North Carolina in a neutral location, many have questioned the Buckeyes ability to take on tougher opponents as they are 0-2 against ranked foes.

This week: vs. Wright St.

2. Maryland Terrapins (11-1); Last week: 3

Maryland
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

2. Maryland Terrapins (11-1); Last week: 3

Maryland
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Maryland Terrapins finally made it to the No. 2 spot on my list after weeks of solid play piled up. The Terrapins definitely earned it after a tough road win against Oklahoma State last week. This team might just come into the Big Ten and push everyone around.

This week: vs. Oakland

1. Wisconsin Badgers (11-1); Last week: 1

Wisconsin
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Wisconsin Badgers (11-1); Last week: 1

Wisconsin
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Just one game stands between the Badgers and a 12-1 non-conference record heading into conference play. We will find out just how good this team really is when it starts playing teams from the Big Ten and attempts to 'run' the conference like everyone said it would.

This week: vs. Buffalo

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