Big Ten Basketball: Rivals Michigan, Ohio State leads latest power rankings
By Adam Childs
![Jan 12, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) drives against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Jan 12, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) drives against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a6650a8761ac856d7cb748cbeea785fd062dfc692a8106f85f0bdc1d8ee44a5f.jpg)
. 13-6 (7-5). . Hawkeyes . 4. team. 483
We are giving the Hawkeyes the benefit of the doubt and saying that this cold stretch is just a blip on their radar. Iowa can’t be as bad as they have looked recently, but are they as good as we thought they were.
Luka Garza is still crazy good and will probably win the National Player of the Year Award after just missing it last year. As long as he is healthy they can score with anyone.
Their schedule is not nice the rest of the way as they play five ranked teams in their last seven games. For a team not playing their best, it is not a welcome sight.
The good news is they have the opportunity to bolster their resume, but it could also turn the other way and they could really start to slip down the seed line.
Iowa’s problem has been their defense and they need to figure it out quickly. We gave them a pass in these rankings, but a couple more losses and they will take a tumble.
3. team. 481. . 13-5 (9-4). . Fighting Illini
The highly anticipated with Illinois and Michigan was postponed and we were all the losers in that situation. It was a game of two of the best teams in the Big Ten and would have been a great game. It will be interesting to see if it gets made up.
The Illini would have wanted to play it because right now they are playing great. After a mini two-game losing streak they have rolled off four straight wins, including wins against Iowa and Wisconsin. They also outlasted Indiana in overtime.
Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn lead the way and maybe the best one-two punch in all of college basketball. When they are both hot, they may be the best team in the country. The problem is they aren’t getting much help outside the top two.
This team is going to be a problem come March, but they need those two guys at the top of their game. If Cockburn can stay out of foul trouble lookout.