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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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CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball as Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines knocks the ball loose during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 10: Trent Frazier #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini dribbles the ball as Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines knocks the ball loose during the first half at State Farm Center on January 10, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

13. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-14)

Previous ranks: 14

Illinois has shown some life in the Big Ten. After having a non-conference season to forget, the Illini played the role of spoilers to Minnesota and Maryland. Illinois was on a five-game losing streak stemming all the way from before Christmas until the third Big Ten game after the New Year.

The one good win during the non-conference came to East Tennessee who is in the KenPom top-65. But there were only four wins away from the Big Ten. They did give Ohio State and Indiana one of their few Big Ten wins along with Northwestern.

After losing by 10 to Michigan, Illinois hosted Minnesota and blew them out. No one had any idea where it came from. They scored 95 points on the Gophers. Ayo Dosunmu was making shots and Giorgi Bezhanishvili has really come on as of late as both guys scored 20 or more. Trent Frazier had his usual 15 and Aaron Jordan made three three-pointers off the bench.

They did get blown out by Iowa, but stayed competitive against Wisconsin for a while. Illinois and Maryland then met at the Madison Square Garden where the Illini played the role of spoilers again. This time it was to a much better Terrapins team.

Maryland was cruising, competing with Purdue for the number three spot in the Big Ten. It was an 11-point victory where Dosunmu went off for 20 again and Tevian Jones shot four three-pointers off the bench. Brad Underwood felt his seat getting warm and put a spark in the freshmen. It seems as though they are playing for their head coach’s job and two wins have come out of it.

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