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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Illinois, Rutgers rise to top of standings

By Adam Childs

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at the Breslin Center on January 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 87-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half while playing the Michigan Wolverines at the Breslin Center on January 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 87-69. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 09: Marcus Carr #5 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers drives to the basket during the second half of the game against Gabe Brown #44 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 09: Marcus Carr #5 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers drives to the basket during the second half of the game against Gabe Brown #44 of the Michigan State Spartans (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

The Nittany Lions have lost three of their last four games which included a rare home loss for the Big Ten this year. They lost games to Rutgers, Wisconsin, and Minnesota before bouncing back with a big win against Ohio State to avenge an earlier loss.

The question for Penn State has always been their coaching and rumblings are again getting louder about Pat Chambers’s ability with the recent slide by the Nittany Lions.

Lamar Stevens is still playing great basketball and Myreon  Jones is having a great sophomore year, but they will need to start winning games again soon if they want to make a serious push to the NCAA tournament.

Minnesota has found a star in Daniel Orturu. He is on the shortlist of POY candidates in the Big Ten right now. Orturu is averaging 20.2 points per game and nearly 12 rebounds per game. He has been almost unstoppable inside for a Golden Gophers team who suddenly looks primed for a run into the NCAA tournament.

The Gophers are still looking for that elusive road win, but they are taking care of business at home, picking up wins against Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State at the Barn.

They are definitely a team to keep an eye on in the next month. They have been somewhat of a surprise team so far, but if Orturu can keep playing at this level they will be tough to beat.

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