Big Ten Basketball: Michigan State rise in rankings at end of regular season

Victories

*Arkansas-Pine Bluff
*Chicago State
*Quincy
*Michigan State
*Ohio State
*Indiana
*@Minnesota
*Maryland
*Nebraska

Defeats

*Pittsburgh
*Iowa (twice)
*@Michigan
*Illinois (twice)
*@Ohio State
*Wisconsin (twice)
*@Penn State
*@Purdue
*Indiana
*Rutgers (twice)

Net ranking: 88

KenPom ranking: 69

AP ranking: N/A

B1G Tournament Seed: 12

Possibility of Post-Season Tournament: 2%

Reason for Hope: The Wildcats have won three straight games and the winning streak started with an impressive nine-point road victory at Minnesota, followed by an even more impressive victory over Maryland and finally they defeated Nebraska for their third straight win. The hope is that they can continue with positive momentum and finish the season on a strong note with a  victory or two in the Big Ten tournament.

Reason to be Pessimistic: Unless Northwestern shocks the world and wins the Big Ten tournament, their season is over with a loss in the conference tournament. They were supposed to be a little bit better than they were from last season but the stretch of losing 13 straight was too much to overcome.

Big Ten Tournament Opponent: No. 13 seed Minnesota

Victories

VMI
VCU
@Virginia Tech
*Rutgers
*Northwestern
*Wisconsin
*Maryland (twice)
*@Nebraska
*Minnesota

Defeats

*Seton Hall
*@Michigan
*Illinois (twice)
*@Indiana
*Purdue (twice)
*Ohio State (twice)
*@Wisconsin
*@Michigan State
*Nebraska
*@Iowa

Net ranking: 40

KenPom ranking: 34

AP ranking: N/A

B1G Tournament Seed: 11

Possibility of Post-Season Tournament: 11%

Reason for Hope: Penn State has won three of their last four games and they also have a very high NET ranking despite their overall record. Their 20-point win over Virginia Tech is very impressive as well as 10 point victory over then-No. 14 ranked Wisconsin. The hope is that they can beat a top-tier team and possibly make a little run in the Big Ten tournament.

Reason to be Pessimistic: The Nittany Lions need two wins in the Big Ten tournament to possibly get one of the 16 NIT bids. They would have to make the finals of the conference tournament to be considered for the NCAA tournament. The four-game losing streak prior to winning three of four games greatly hampered the Nittany Lions post-season aspirations.

Big Ten Tournament Opponent: No. 14 seed Nebraska