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Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings: Penn State and Maryland leads the pack

By Ryan Kay

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts late in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 15: Darryl Morsell #11 of the Maryland Terrapins reacts late in the second half of the game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Breslin Center on February 15, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

9. Michigan 16-9 (7-7)

Best Non-Conference Win

*Beat Gonzaga 82-64 to win the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.

Key Big Ten Victories

*Beat Iowa, 103-91.

*Defeated Michigan State by a score of 77-68.

*Beat Rutgers on a neutral court, 69-63.

Disappointing Losses in Big Ten play

*Got swept by the Fighting Illini losing at Illinois, 71-62 and losing by 2 at home, 64-62.

*Losing to your in-state rival Michigan State by a score of 87-69.

Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking: 12 (Up 3 spots)

KenPom Ranking: 14

Net Ranking: 26

Michigan has had more recent success in Big Ten play with the senior leadership of Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske helping the Wolverines win their last three games. Isaiah Liver is back from an injury and has played well of late after missing nine games, freshmen Franz Wagner was injured early in the season but is healthy and contributing, and Simpson, after he was suspended for a game for violation of team rules, has played very well having helped Michigan win four out of their last five game. However, Michigan has a lot of ground to cover if they have any hope of getting one of those highly coveted top 4 seeds in the Big Ten tournament.

Simpson the leader and defensive specialist, as well as Livers, have really propelled Michigan’s play in Big Ten play. Simpson is still one of the leading assist leaders in the nation and Livers is still Michigan’s leading scorer despite missing multiple games this season. The Wolverines leading rebounder and third-leading scorer in Jon Teske is trying to do more to take Michigan’s offense to the next level.

Michigan also has a very dependable group of sophomores who have been an integral part of the Wolverines winning five of their last six games. They collectively, have been stepping up their games and contributing more and more on offense this season especially in the month of February in Big Ten play.

Michigan has been inconsistent in Big Ten play as for example as they beat Nebraska and Rutgers away from home but lose to Ohio State and Illinois at home. To be fair and objective to the Wolverines, they have been competitive in many of their Big Ten games losing four conference games this season by single digits. They will continue to look to improve and look to win some more games in Big Ten play heading into the month of March. The Wolverines next play at Rutgers on Feb. 19th.

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