Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Purdue and Wisconsin pushing up

By Adam Childs | Feb 5, 2019

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 23: Carsen Edwards #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers attempts to drive around Luther Muhammad #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half on January 23, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Purdue defeated Ohio State 79-67. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 01: Brad Davison #34 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin, outside of Purdue, is probably the hottest team in the Big Ten. They have won five straight games that started when they gave Michigan their first loss in the middle of January. Ethan Happ has cemented himself as one of the favorites to win Big Ten POY. He is averaging 18.5 points per game and could be one of the best big men in the whole country. His only weakness has been his free throw shooting and that could be the Achilles heel for the Badgers.

Happ is getting help from his teammates as they continue to shoot 40% from deep which gives them a great inside out offensive game. While Happ is still their go-to-guy, having the other guys knock down shots makes the Badgers very dangerous.

This week will be challenging for the Badgers as they must travel to an above average Minnesota team before playing at Michigan this weekend. The Wolverines will be looking for revenge and Minnesota will be looking for a resume-building home win.

If Wisconsin can win both games they could make a big jump in the rankings and could even be looking at a four or five seed come tournament time.

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