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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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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 09: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 09: Head coach Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

8. Michigan 18-10 (9-8)

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.

*Swept the Scarlet Knights and beating Rutgers on a neutral court, 69-63.

*Won on the road at Purdue beating the Boilermakers, 71-63.

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.

*Losing at home to Wisconsin, 81-74.

Last Week’s Big Ten Power Ranking: 9 (Up 1 spot)

Ken Pom Ranking: 13

Net Ranking: 25

Had the Wolverines not lost at home to Wisconsin, they would be further up in this week’s power rankings. Michigan before losing to the Badgers this week, had won five straight games. They also have won seven of their last nine games. The problem is they had lost four straight prior to winning at Nebraska. The Wolverines are a very streaky team but also a very dangerous team that most of the Big Ten hope that they don’t have to play them early in the Big Ten Tournament. If Michigan can win two out of their last three games they are guaranteed a bye for the 1st round of the conference tournament.

The Wolverines have five players who are averaging double digits in scoring this season. Isaiah Livers, the team’s leading scorer has been the catalyst for the Michigan offense of late. The Wolverines are led by seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske helping the Wolverines win many games in the month of Marcy. Simpson the leader and defensive specialist, as well as Livers, have really propelled Michigan’s play in Big Ten play.

Simpson is the leading assist leader for the Wolverines and Livers is still Michigan’s leading scorer despite missing multiple games this season. The Wolverines leading rebounding and block leader and third-leading scorer Jon Teske is trying to do more to take Michigan’s offense to the next level to make a run in the Big Ten tournament and beyond.

Michigan also has a very dependable group of sophomores who have been an integral part of the Wolverines winning seven of their last nine games. They collectively, have been stepping up their games and contributing more and more on offense this season especially to end the month of February. David Dejulius and Brandon Johns Jr. don’t put up a ton of points but they contribute and add much-needed depth for the Wolverines.

Michigan has been inconsistent in Big Ten play overall as for example as they beat Purdue, Nebraska, and Rutgers away from home but lose to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois at home. To be fair and objective to the Wolverines, they have been competitive in many of their Big Ten games losing five conference games this season by single digits. They will continue to look to improve and look to win some more games prior to the NCAA tournament to help them in getting a higher seed. The Wolverines next play at Rutgers on Feb. 19th.

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