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

Victories

*Tennessee Tech
*Providence (Neutral site)
*Stanford (Neutral site)
*North Alabama
*Butler (Neutral site)
*Penn State
*Iowa (twice)
*@Northwestern
*Maryland
*@Nebraska
*Minnesota

Defeats

*Texas (Neutral site)
*@ Florida State OT
*Northwestern
*Illinois (twice)
*Rutgers (twice)
*@Wisconsin
*Purdue (twice)
*@Ohio State
*Michigan State (twice)
*Michigan

Net ranking: 61

KenPom ranking: 39

AP ranking: N/A

B1G Tournament Seed: 10

Possibility of Post-Season Tournament: 19%

Reason for Hope: The Hoosiers did beat Iowa twice which is impressive as well as defeating Maryland and Penn State so with their talent and superstar player Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana could possibly make a run in the Big Ten tournament.

Reason to be Pessimistic: Indiana has really struggled as of late losing their last five games and their offense production has come to a standstill. The Hoosiers are in serious danger of missing the NCAA tournament unless they can make it to the conference tournament championship game and even then, an NIT bid is more likely. Indiana needs to restart their offense in a hurry and fast.

Big Ten Tournament Opponent: No. 7 seed Rutgers

Victories

*Old Dominion
*Navy
*Mount St. Mary’s
*Saint Peter’s
*La Salle
*@Wisconsin
*@Illinois
*Wingate
*Minnesota (twice)
*Purdue
*Nebraska (twice)
*@Rutgers
*Michigan State

Defeats

*@Clemson
*Rutgers
*@Purdue
*Michigan (twice)
*@Indiana
*Iowa
*Wisconsin
*Penn State (twice)
*Ohio State
*@Northwestern

Net ranking: 28

KenPom ranking: 26

AP ranking: N/A

B1G Tournament Seed: 8

Possibility of Post-Season Tournament: 75%

Reason for Hope: Maryland has proven that they can win away from home when they defeated on the road, Illinois, Rutgers, and Wisconsin and their defense has been solid and has improved from last season as they have held their opponents 12 times to 64 points or lower this season. The Terrapins have a good chance of making the NCAA tournament and a win over Michigan State would only solidify it.

Reason to be Pessimistic: The Terrapins have lost their last two games and both of their defeats were to lower-tier Big Ten opponents. Their loss at Northwestern by five was surprising but their defeat at home to Penn State on senior day was shocking. Maryland better be prepared to play a dangerous team in Michigan State seeking revenge for a loss against the Terrapins not too long ago.

Big Ten Tournament Opponent: No. 9 seed Michigan State