SiriusXM Big Ten Radio’s college basketball Power Rankings

Find out how the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team voted to put together this week’s edition of our college basketball rankings.

by:
Pete Pistone
January 26, 2021

Indiana recorded a big win last week. (Photo: Big Ten)

Pete Pistone and the rest of the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team will unveil Power Rankings each week of the college basketball season. Check out this week’s edition of basketball Power Rankings below, and start listening to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372) on the SiriusXM app now.Six Big Ten teams found themselves in the AP Top 25 this week as the conference continues its stellar play. There were more surprises on court with big road wins coming for Maryland and Indiana.

Michigan State will finally return to action after dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak, but unfortunately the Spartans’ in-state rival Michigan will now be idle as cases spring up in and around the Wolverines’ program.

Here’s how the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team voted to put together this week’s edition of our college basketball rankings:

  1. MICHIGAN

The Wolverines put a couple of big wins on the board with victories over Maryland and Purdue. But now Michigan has hit the brakes due to a Covid outbreak on campus, so when the team will play again is very much up in the air.

WEEK AHEAD: No Games Scheduled

  1. IOWA

They lost a game not being played against Nebraska due to the virus. But the game the Hawkeyes did play ended up in an upset loss at home to Indiana, Iowa’s first loss since Christmas Day.

WEEK AHEAD: @Illinois (1/29)

  1. PURDUE

A big surge for the Boilermakers after a week of mixed results. Purdue pulled off a big win on the road against Ohio State but then fell at home to Michigan. But Matt Painter’s team is playing much better basketball than when the season began

WEEK AHEAD: Minnesota (1/30)

  1. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes rebounded nicely from their home loss to Purdue and went on the road to beat Wisconsin by 12 points. Ohio State will be an interesting team to watch during the stretch drive of the regular season.

WEEK AHEAD: Penn State (1/27), Michigan State (1/31)   

  1. WISCONSIN

A split decision week for Wisconsin. The Badgers beat Northwestern at home but then lost to Ohio State in Madison. All of a sudden winning the conference has become much tougher for Wisconsin.

WEEK AHEAD: @Maryland (1/27), @Penn State (1/30)

  1. MINNESOTA

Just one game for Minnesota this week and it was a home loss to Maryland. Still playing very good basketball, the Golden Gophers need to string together some wins down the stretch.

WEEK AHEAD:  @Purdue (1/30)

  1. ILLINOIS

A victory over Penn State was Illinois’ only game last week, and the Fighting Illini are still within striking distance of the top of the conference.

WEEK AHEAD: Iowa (1/29)

  1. MARYLAND

Although there was a road loss to Michigan, Maryland’s win over Minnesota at The Barn was impressive. The Terps continue to make a case for being an NCAA Tournament team.

WEEK AHEAD: Wisconsin (1/27)

  1. INDIANA

Just when you thought the Hoosiers’ season was heading in the wrong direction, Indiana goes on the road to beat Iowa. But then the roller coaster dropped again with a home loss to Rutgers.

WEEK AHEAD: @Michigan (1/30)

  1. MICHIGAN STATE

It looks like Michigan State will get back on the court after Covid issues idled the Spartans. That’s good news for Tom Izzo’s squad indeed.

WEEK AHEAD: @Rutgers (1/28), @Ohio State (1/31)

11. PENN STATE

A pair of wins for Penn State against Northwestern and Rutgers got the Nittany Lions into the conference win column. Momentum will be challenged with a tough week ahead.

WEEK AHEAD: @Ohio State (1/27), Wisconsin (1/30)

  1. RUTGERS

The tough loss to Penn State to start last week was quickly erased by Rutgers winning at Indiana. Consistency is needed and in a hurry for the Scarlet Knights.

WEEK AHEAD: Michigan State (1/28), @Northwestern (1/31)

  1. NORTHWESTERN

Two road losses against Wisconsin and Penn State put the Wildcats’ losing streak at seven consecutive games.

WEEK AHEAD: Rutgers (1/31)

  1. NEBRASKA

Still idle because of the virus, Nebraska will finally get back on the court February 3.

WEEK AHEAD: No Games Scheduled



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