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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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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 03: Tyler Cook #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes up for a dunk during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 3, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 03: Tyler Cook #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes up for a dunk during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 3, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

7. Iowa Hawkeyes (16-5)

Previous rank: 5

Iowa is a good team this year. They are more than likely headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes have been ranked seven out of 11 weeks this season. They are losers of two-straight which dropped them out of the top-25. One was a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State in a game where they held a nice lead halfway through the second half. The other was a track meet in an electric atmosphere against Minnesota.

The Big Ten hits a tier right around here. Iowa gets demoted two spots because Wisconsin is on a winning streak and the Badgers beat Iowa. Minnesota also has wins over both of the next two teams. Iowa was on a five-game winning before running into one of the best teams in the country. The Hawkeyes have lost to the Spartans twice, a ranked Wisconsin team and Minnesota at the barn.

The best wins during their winning streak was Nebraska and Ohio State at home and at Northwestern. This seems like an appropriate ranking for Iowa when you really breakdown who they have all beaten. But seventh in the Big Ten this year is a whole lot better than what it was last year. The defense is somewhat improved. They still have their moments of allowing 80 or more, but the offense hasn’t skipped a beat.

The biggest thing about Iowa is that they aren’t relying on Jordan Bohannon to chuck three-point shots. Tyler Cook has been an absolute monster in the paint. He’s averaging over 16 points, eight boards and almost three assists. Luka Garza is having a great sophomore season and can shoot inside and out.

They have five guys in double-figures. Their freshman sensation is Joe Wieskamp. He did struggled to shoot against Minnesota which could be why they couldn’t keep up with the Gophers in the shootout. Iowa certainly has a ton of scorers and when their defense is locked in, they’re capable of doing great things.

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