The Big Ten basketball season is in full force for Wisconsin Basketball. The Badgers currently sit at 14-4 and in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings.
The conference is beginning to separate itself. There seems to be three really good teams, four or five decent teams, a few average teams, and a few struggling. Where so I rank Wisconsin basketball this week?
Big Ten Power Rankings
- Purdue
- Wisconsin
- Illinois
- Northwestern
- Michigan State
- Nebraska
- Indiana
- Ohio State
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Maryland
- Penn State
- Rutgers
- Michigan
Why Wisconsin Basketball at 2?
The Penn State loss is why I dropped Wisconsin basketball to two from the number one spot. Penn State played just about a perfect game, but that’s a game the Badgers have to win. It shouldn’t matter long term, but it’s still statically their worst loss of the season.
However, what does not change is this is clearly one of the three best teams in the Big Ten. The Badgers, Purdue, and Illinois have separated themselves as the class of the Big Ten. I believe there is a big drop off between three and four in this conference.
At this point, I would be shocked if the Badgers played before Friday in the Big Ten Tournament. They would have to go on a pretty bad skid in the month of February. The schedule has some tough games, but I think they will do enough to get a double bye.
Other Big Ten Takeaways
I think two teams are eyeing the fourth place spot in the Big Ten. That looks to be between Michigan State and Northwestern. The Wildcats blew out the Spartans a few weeks ago at home, but Sparty is playing better over the last week or so. Wisconsin basketball beat both these teams early in the season and see Michigan State at home Friday night.
The group of Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio State, and Iowa is a tight group. Nebraska is the one team in this group seen a as tournament team. The other three teams have the talent to get in, but they all need to get some more quad one wins. Indiana does not have one yet. They all have to win some road games too.
I’m pretty confident saying Penn State, Rutgers, Maryland, Michigan and Minnesota will miss the tournament. I can’t see the Golden Gophers hanging around much longer. The other four teams all have at least eight losses. That is tough to bounce back from as typically more than 12 losses keeps you out of the NCAA Tournament.
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