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Big Ten College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 14

Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 14

Ohio State
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Week 13 of the college basketball season has come and passed and the Big Ten teams are beating up on each other more than usual. Only few ranked teams remain in the conference and one of them is a heavy favorite to land a conference title.

Let's take a look at the power rankings for week 14.

14. Northwestern Wildcats (10-13, 1-9); Last week: 14

Northwestern
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14. Northwestern Wildcats (10-13, 1-9); Last week: 14

Northwestern
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern is still a bottom-dweller in the Big Ten, mainly because the Wildcats haven't beaten a conference opponent in over five weeks -- that's nine straight losses.

This week: vs. Michigan State, vs. Iowa

13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-15, 2-10); Last week: 13

Rutgers
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13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (10-15, 2-10); Last week: 13

Rutgers
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Rutgers has had a rude introduction to Big Ten play this year. Since beating Wisconsin, handing the Badgers their only conference loss, the Scarlet Knights have lost eight games straight.

This week: vs. Purdue

12. Penn State Nittany Lions (15-9, 3-8); Last week: 12

Penn State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

12. Penn State Nittany Lions (15-9, 3-8); Last week: 12

Penn State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State headed into Big Ten play about six weeks ago with a 12-1 record. However, the Nittany Lions have been nothing but mediocre in conference play, losing eight of 11 games. It looks like a tournament appearance will have to wait another year.

This week: at No. 23 Ohio State, vs. No. 19 Maryland

11. Michigan Wolverines (13-11, 6-6); Last week: 8

Michigan
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11. Michigan Wolverines (13-11, 6-6); Last week: 8

Michigan
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan didn't have the best week in week 13, losing to both Iowa and Indiana. The Wolverines likely won't make the NCAA Tournament this season, but being without Caris LeVert, this team is still making positive strides and competing better than many thought they would.

This week: at Illinois

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-10, 5-6); Last week: 11

Nebraska
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10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-10, 5-6); Last week: 11

Nebraska
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska failed to meet expectations this season as the Cornhuskers were one of a handful of Big Ten teams ranked to begin the season. The Cornhuskers could make a serious case for the NCAA Tourney this week with two big wins.

This week: vs. No. 5 Wisconsin, at Purdue

9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-9, 4-7); Last week: 10

Minnesota
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9. Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-9, 4-7); Last week: 10

Minnesota
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota got two much-needed wins last week against Purdue and Nebraska at home. However, week 14 will see much stiffer competition as the Gophers have two road games that could define their season.

This week: at Iowa, at Indiana

8. Michigan State Spartans (15-8, 6-4); Last week: 4

Michigan State
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8. Michigan State Spartans (15-8, 6-4); Last week: 4

Michigan State
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State is one of those mysterious teams. The Spartans could be a top-three team in the conference, but they are so inconsistent that it's nearly impossible to define them. With two wins in week 14, Michigan State could make a serious case for the tournament.

This week: at Northwestern, vs. No. 23 Ohio State

7. Illinois Fighting Illini (16-8, 6-5); Last week: 9

Illinois
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7. Illinois Fighting Illini (16-8, 6-5); Last week: 9

Illinois
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois went into East Lansing without three of their best players and escaped with a solid win, 59-54. The Illini seem to be coming together as a team at the right time and their rise in the power rankings might continue after week 14.

This week: vs. Michigan, at No. 5 Wisconsin

6. Indiana Hoosiers (17-7, 7-4); Last week: 5

Indiana
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6. Indiana Hoosiers (17-7, 7-4); Last week: 5

Indiana
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana has lost three of five games since breaking the Top 25, but the Hoosiers are still one of the conference's strongest teams. If the Hoosiers can pull out a win against Maryland on the road this week, Indiana will surely be dancing in March.

This week: at No. 19 Maryland, vs. Minnesota

5. Purdue Boilermakers (15-9, 7-4); Last week: 6

Purdue
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5. Purdue Boilermakers (15-9, 7-4); Last week: 6

Purdue
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue continues to be one of conference's biggest surprises, winning seven of 11 Big Ten contests and beating teams like Iowa, Indiana and Ohio State in the past five games -- all ranked opponents.

This week: at Rutgers, vs. Nebraska

4. Iowa Hawkeyes (15-8, 6-4); Last week: 7

Iowa
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4. Iowa Hawkeyes (15-8, 6-4); Last week: 7

Iowa
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa is one of my biggest jumpers in the power rankings this week after taking down Michigan on the road a week ago by 18 points then sticking it to a No. 17 Maryland squad, beating it by 16. The Hawkeyes are a scary team when they are playing to potential.

This week: vs. Minnesota, at Northwestern

3. Maryland Terrapins (19-5, 7-4); Last week: 3

Maryland
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3. Maryland Terrapins (19-5, 7-4); Last week: 3

Maryland
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland continues to impress, but the Terrapins couldn't keep up with a hot Iowa team on the road as Melo Trimble was experiencing some injuries. The Terrapins will be back and ready to take down whoever stands in their way as the conference's newest team still has a chance to win a Big Ten title -- although time is running out.

This week: vs. Indiana, at Penn State

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (18-6, 7-4); Last week: 2

Ohio State
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (18-6, 7-4); Last week: 2

Ohio State
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State has won five of seven games after getting off to a slow start in conference play. The Buckeyes may not be the conference's best team, but they are playing like a nationally-ranked one and a squad that could contend with the Badgers.

This week: vs. Penn State, at Michigan State

1. Wisconsin Badgers (21-2, 9-1); Last week: 1

Wisconsin
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

1. Wisconsin Badgers (21-2, 9-1); Last week: 1

Wisconsin
Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin might be untouchable in conference play this year as the Badgers have lost just one game -- albeit a fluke -- and have dominated a majority of opponents. However, the remaining schedule is anything but a cakewalk as the Badgers have five road games out of eight left and the home games aren't exactly guarantees.

This week: at Nebraska, vs. Illinois

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