How did Michigan's loss impact Big Ten basketball rankings this week?
First of all, let us please extend a tremendous thank-you to OG, Nathan Baird for taking over the power rankings during Peach Bowl prep. We hope we can match or at least mimic his illustrious example.
It's been a week of turnover at the top of the rankings, and we are prepared — nae, honored — to declare a new No. 1.
Yes, the time has come for Nebrasketball.
Note: Records current through Jan. 14.
1. Nebraska (17-0, 6-0)Prev: 3
At some point, you just belong where your record says you do. We're more than halfway through the season. The Huskers are top 20 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, with wins at Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana. They've earned it.
2. Purdue (16-1, 6-0)Prev: 2
Michigan has a better loss, but Purdue has better wins. We're splitting hairs between the two, let's be honest.
3. Michigan (15-1, 5-1)Prev: 1
The Wisconsin loss preceded Michigan's West Coast swing, but the other side of that Dusty May's crew plays four of five at home. Now's the time to stockpile wins, because February will be much more demanding.
4. Michigan State (15-2, 5-1)Prev: 4
The Big Ten race is a five-team pack right now and, make no mistake, Sparty is firmly in the mix.
5. Illinois (14-3, 5-1)Prev: 5
Brad Underwood's team is the fifth in that group, but still comfortably in the running, too. Illinois' toughest games are comfortably spaced out over the next two months.
6. Wisconsin (12-5, 4-2)Prev: 8
The Michigan win does not absolve all ills of November and December, but three in a row since the Purdue loss plants genuine momentum in Madison.
7. Iowa (12-5, 2-4)Prev: 6
The Hawkeyes and Hoosiers are spending January roughly the same way: Losing a lot of games it feels like they're going to regret come March.
8. UCLA (12-5, 4-2)Prev: 10
UCLA moves up a spot because the Bruins stemmed the bleeding. They still remain very much in tournament limbo.
9. Indiana (12-5, 3-3)Prev: 7
It's not so much getting run out of the Breslin Center. That happens. It's that IU just doesn't look constructed to beat the teams necessary to make the dance.
10. Minnesota (10-7, 3-3)Prev: 9
Credit the Gophers for losing close. Losses are still losses, but Niko Medved is holding it together in Minneapolis.
11. Ohio State (11-5, 3-3)Prev: 11
Ohio State feels stuck — clearly better than the bad bottom of the Big Ten, but not demonstrably good enough to crack into tournament contention.
12. USC (14-3, 3-3)Prev: 13
The Trojans and Huskies swap spots this week, but truthfully they could've stayed put. Both are fine. The Rodney Rice injury casts a shadow over this team though.
13. Washington (10-7, 2-4)Prev: 12
Obviously no one is cashing in this season, but the long-term outlook here is encouraging. Danny Sprinkle has Washington on course for its best KenPom finish since before COVID.
14. Rutgers (9-8, 2-4)Prev: 14
The Scarlet Knights have the worst KenPom ranking in the league but still manage to beat the other bad teams around them, which is more than many can say.
15. Oregon (8-9, 1-5)Prev: 15
Hello darkness my old friend.
16. Northwestern (8-9, 0-6)Prev: 16
I've come to talk with you again.
17. Penn State (9-8, 0-6)Prev: 17
because a vision, softly creepingggggg
18. Maryland (7-10, 0-6)Prev: 18
LEFT IT'S SEEDS WHILE I WAS SLEEEEEEPING.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Big Ten men's college basketball rankings: How Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue moved
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