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Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Can anyone take Maryland off the No. 1 spot?

By Ryan Kay

CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 07: Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates after a scoring play during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 7, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - FEBRUARY 07: Eric Ayala #5 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates after a scoring play during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 7, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 14: Kevin Cross #1 and Dachon Burke Jr. #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 14: Kevin Cross #1 and Dachon Burke Jr. #11 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

13. Nebraska 7-21 (2-15)

Best Non-Conference Win

*Beat Washington State 82-71 in the Cayman Islands Classic.

Key Big Ten Victories

*Beat Purdue 70-56 at home.

*Defeated Iowa 76-70 for their best win of the season.

Disappointing Losses in Big Ten play

*Lost at Northwestern by a score of 62-57.

*Against Rutgers on the road by lost on a last-second shot by a score of 75-72.

*Lost in overtime to Indiana on the road.

*Against Maryland on the road, the Cornhuskers lost by 2.

*Lost at home to Ohio State by a score of 75-54.

Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking: 13 (No Change)

Ken Pom Ranking: 142

Net Ranking: 189

Nebraska will do their best to get their 3rd Big Ten win of the season as they host Northwestern on March 1st. The Cornhuskers almost were ranked 14 in this week’s power rankings and if they lose to Northwestern on Sunday, they more than likely will be ranked last in next week’s rankings. In the month of February like the Wildcats, they were unable to get a victory. They also like Northwestern have been unable to be competitive in most of their recent games losing at home to both Ohio State and Michigan State by 21 points. However, if Nebraska can beat Northwestern at home, they may be able to build some momentum heading into the Big Ten tournament.

As stated before, Nebraska may not be able to hold off Northwestern in their pursuit to not finish in last place in the Big Ten which means they would then get the 14th seed in the upcoming conference tournament. It is only Fred Hoiberg’s 1st year as the Nebraska head coach but the struggles lately have been somewhat disappointing. You can witness the fact that he is trying still install his identity that he wants his team to have and play with going into next season.

The future got brighter with the reported transfer of former Badger Kobe King. However for now, Nebraska is still trying to navigate through the rough roads of Big Ten play as they continue to attempt to compete in Big Ten play in hopes of building momentum and winning their first-round game in the Big Ten tournament.

As stated before, Nebraska has been wildly inconsistent early in the season as they did against Iowa which had shown that they had the capability to compete in an extremely ultra-competitive Big Ten. However, they have lost 13 straight games and that is why they are in 2nd from last place currently.

Nebraska however, need to use the remaining games of this season to build momentum for the 2020-2021 season by hopefully defeating Northwestern at home and possibly winning their 1st round game of the Big Ten tournament. Nebraska next hosts the Wildcats on Mar. 1st and then they have another tough match-up as they travel to play Michigan four days later.

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