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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 23: Marcus Carr #5 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Marcus Carr #5 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

12. Minnesota 13-14 (7-10)

Best Non-Conference Win

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

Key Big Ten Victories

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

*Defeated Michigan and Wisconsin at home.

*Beat Penn State by a score of 75-69.

Disappointing Losses in Big Ten play

*Swept by Michigan State losing both times by 16 or more points.

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

*Lost at Rutgers by 8.

*Swept by Iowa and losing to the Hawkeyes by 3 at home.

*Lost at home to Maryland by 1 after leading by 16 at halftime.

Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking: 12 (No Change)

Ken Pom Ranking: 32

Net Ranking: 46

The Gophers join Northwestern and Nebraska as the only teams to have an overall losing record. Minnesota has lost four of their last 5 games with their only win against the last place Wildcats. It is somewhat understandable that Minnesota has been wildly inconsistent in Big Ten play this season due to the very competitive balance of the Big Ten this year. The Gophers ironically still have a high rating in the Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings and a decent ranking in the very important Net Rankings. They are more than likely NIT tournament bound but nothing is out of the realm of possibility if they can go on a run here late in March with some quality quadrant one wins.

Minnesota is led by the big three in Daniel Oturu, Marcus Carr and Gabe Kalscheur who all three have played well during Big Ten play. Both Oturu the Gophers leading scorer this season and Sophomore guard Marcus Carr the 2nd leading scorer both are averaging over 15 points a game. Minnesota is still overall a young and talented team and they can beat quality Big Ten teams especially at home like they did when they defeated Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin. However, the Gophers three leading scorers in Kalscheur, Carr, and especially Oturu, must produce big numbers in March.

The biggest obstacle moving forward has been the inconsistency, especially on the road in conference play of the Gophers.  The only wins on the road in Big Ten play has been against Northwestern and Ohio State.  Minnesota’s next two games are also on the road against the Badgers and Hoosiers. They can still be a dangerous team in the Big Ten tournament as they have shown beating four likely NCAA tournament teams in Big Ten play but they must show in these last three Big Ten regular-season games that they are ready to win.

As stated earlier, If Minnesota is able to get to win two of their last three regular-season games in Big Ten play then they have an opportunity of staying alive in hopes of possibly still making the NCAA tournament again this season assuming, they win at least two games in the Big Ten tournament. Their strength of schedule with a couple of quadrant 1 or 2 wins could get them a 12 seed in the NCAA tournament. If not, the NIT tournament is the most likely postseason tournament for the Gophers. The Golden Gophers next travel to Wisconsin on Mar. 1st.

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