Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2021 power rankings heading into conference tournament

By Ryan Kay

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) is guarded by Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 2021.Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 17
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) is guarded by Michigan Wolverines forward Isaiah Livers (2) during Sunday's NCAA Division I Big Ten conference basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on February 21, 2021.Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 17 /
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Big Ten Basketball
Big Ten Basketball Nebraska Cornhusker Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Right, when it looked like the standing in Big Ten Basketball were all but set, it once again is unpredictable with fewer cancellations and postponement of games and teams either going on a winning streak or losing ground in the standing. Here’s a look at how they rank currently.

*Rankings take into account results through March 2

. Cornhuskers . 14. team. 488. . 7-17

Wins

*McNeese
*North Dakota State
*South Dakota
*Doane
*Penn State
*Minnesota
*Rutgers

Losses

*Nevada
*Georgia Tech
*@Creighton
*Wisconsin (twice)
*Michigan
@Ohio State
*Michigan State (twice)
*Indiana
*@Minnesota
*Penn State
*Illinois (twice)
*Maryland (twice)
*Purdue

Net ranking: 119

KenPom ranking: 90

AP ranking: N/A

Reason for Hope: Even though they only have three wins in conference play currently, they have been competitive. They have single-point losses to Illinois, Michigan State, Indiana, Penn State, and Maryland. Also, their double-digit win against Rutgers was impressive and hopefully, they can carry their momentum into the Big Ten tournament.

Reason to be Pessimistic: Not one of their wins up to this point has been against a ranked and or top tier opponent. They have a win against 1st place South Dakota but the Coyotes play in the Summit conference. Their only win in Big Ten play has been against Penn State who is currently in 12th place in the Big Ten standing.

Brief Overview of the Season

Even though they won their last two games which were both on their home court, the Cornhuskers had been struggling mightily once again in conference play. Yes, it should not be a huge surprise as they have one of the biggest roster turnovers out of any Big Ten school. It is also understandable that on paper with what they lost from graduation and transfers, that it is not a shock that Nebraska is in serious contention to finish in last place in the Big Ten this season.

However, head coach Fred Hoiberg is making strides even though it is not being seen in the wins column. Hoiberg is building his program through transfers and the Cornhusker’s transfers are well documented and some like Teddy Allen are having more of a bigger impact than others.

Hoiberg may not have had a successful run coaching in the NBA but he knows the landscape of college basketball as being a head coach at Iowa State and having success and continues to build his program at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers may not compete for Big Ten titles next season or even two but Nebraska is a team to watch out for in the future. They just need to continue to improve and get better and build for the future.

Nebraska might be able to catch Northwestern in their pursuit to avoid finishing in last place in the Big Ten but it is unlikely. It is only Fred Hoiberg’s 2nd year as the Nebraska head coach but the struggles lately have been somewhat disappointing after an early 3-1 start.

However, for now, Nebraska is still playing hard near the end of the regular season as they near the Big Ten tournament. They hope to continue to be competitive in Big Ten play in hopes of building momentum and finishing not in the bottom tier of the Big Ten next season. Nebraska next plays at Iowa on Thursday.

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