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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan State fight at top

By Ryan Kay

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 2: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is pressured by Xavier Tillman #23 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2020, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 2: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is pressured by Xavier Tillman #23 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2020, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Marcus Carr #5 and Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Marcus Carr #5 and Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

9. Minnesota 11-10 (5-6)

Key Wins

*Defeated Clemson 78-60 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

*Swept Ohio State defeating them 84-71 at home and winning at Ohio State by a score of 62-59.

*Won on a neutral court (Tulsa, OK) defeating Oklahoma State 86-66.

*Defeated Michigan and Penn State at home.

Disappointing Losses

*Lost on a neutral court to Oklahoma 71-62.

*Lost at Iowa by a score of 72-52.

KenPom Ranking 38

Net Ranking 44

It is understandable that Minnesota has been inconsistent in Big Ten play this season. They lost some key players from last season’s NCAA tournament team in Amir Coffey and Jordan Murphy, Losing Coffey hurt Minnesota’s chances the most of being a top-echelon Big Ten team for this season but Minnesota has seen some solid contributions in Daniel Oturu and Gabe Kalscheur during the Big Ten season. Both Oturu the Gophers leading scorer this season and Kalscheur have played well thus far in conference play. Sophomore guard Marcus Carr has played very well in Big Ten play as he is currently the Gophers 2nd leading scorer.

Minnesota is overall a young team and they can beat good teams at home like they did when they defeated Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State but they have been too inconsistent to compete for a Big Ten title this season. They can be a dangerous team in the Big Ten as they have shown sweeping the Buckeyes and nearly winning at Illinois and if they continue to get wins in Big Ten play then they have a legit shot at making the NCAA tournament again this season. The Golden Gophers next host Wisconsin on Feb. 5th.

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