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

By Austin Walther

MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Kobe King #23 and Tai Strickland #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate after beating the Michigan Wolverines 64-54 at the Kohl Center on January 19, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 19: Kobe King #23 and Tai Strickland #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate after beating the Michigan Wolverines 64-54 at the Kohl Center on January 19, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 21: Bruno Fernando #23 of the Maryland Terrapins battle for position against Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans win the second half at Breslin Center on January 21, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 21: Bruno Fernando #23 of the Maryland Terrapins battle for position against Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans win the second half at Breslin Center on January 21, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Maryland Terrapins (16-5)

Previous rank: 4

I was confident with keeping the top-four teams the same, but Maryland had to go and lose to Illinois. The Illini weren’t winless as they had just rocked Minnesota, but it was certainly a game that Maryland needs to win. It was an 11-point defeat at Madison Square Garden so it’s not a true road or home game. The Terrapins are fighting for a top-five spot in the Big Ten and a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament so this should’ve been a win.

The thing that makes matters worse is that Maryland has now lost two in a row. The first one was a 14-point defeat to Michigan State. That happens a lot to opponents of the Spartans. But instead of responding with a huge beat down of not a good team at a really cool arena, Maryland lost.

They are still just one of four teams with seven or more Big Ten wins right now. Maryland lost at Mackey, but it’s a very tough place to play. But then they won their first six Big Ten games since resuming conference play. That is why Maryland started appearing back in the AP top-25, cracking the Big Ten top-five and in discussion for a three or four seed.

Maryland has found a big-three. Anthony Cowan is one of the best point guards in the Big Ten. He’s averaging over 17 points per game, four boards and four assists. Bruno Fernando is just one of three Big Ten players averaging a double-double. Jalen Smith is living up to his five-star label with 11.8 points per game, almost seven boards and has the ability to shoot from outside. The other two freshmen are great contributors. As long as someone steps up each night outside the starters, Maryland will stay in the top-five.

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