Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Michigan, Michigan State both lose

6. Wisconsin Badgers (14-6)

Previous rank: 8

Wisconsin is moving its way back up the power rankings. They were ranked for seven straight weeks, fell out for three and is now 24th in the AP Poll. The Badgers lost four out of five games at one point, stemming all the way back to the Western Kentucky game.

The best way to snap a losing streak is knocking off the No. 2 ranked team in the Country. The win over the Wolverines turned into a 10-point victory and then they dismantled Illinois and Northwestern. Something that had to be done.

The Badgers were showing signs of what made them struggle last season. It was Ethan Happ and only Ethan Happ. No one else was knocking down shots which made it hard to stay in games. They were sliding down fast, but still remained roughly an eight seed. After the big win over Michigan and a kicking of two bottom half teams along with a top-15 raking in the metrics, Wisconsin is back around a five or six.

Nate Reuvers has been coming on in the last month. He’s impacting the game on both ends of the floor. The sophomore made at least one three-pointer in six straight games until the Northwestern match up. He did record his first career double-double against Illinois. Aleem Ford is starting to knock down more than just one shot per game. And then D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison both went off against the Wildcats which is something that makes Wisconsin dangerous.

This team just needs to take it one game at a time. They’ve seen the struggles already of Big Ten play this season. After all the losses earlier this month, the Badgers are still 6-3 in the Big Ten. They have to be pleased with that record. And with the non-conference resume, Wisconsin looks good, but will still have to avenge a few games in February.