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

Victories

*Sacred Heart
*Fairleigh Dickinson
*Hofstra
*Syracuse
*@Maryland
*Purdue
*Illinois
*Indiana (twice)
*Michigan State
*Northwestern (twice)
*Minnesota (twice)

Defeats

*Ohio State (twice)
*Iowa (twice)
*@Michigan State
*@Penn State
*@Michigan
*Maryland
*Wisconsin
*@Nebraska

Net ranking: 37

KenPom ranking: 33

AP ranking: N/A

B1G Tournament Seed: 7

Possibility of Post-Season Tournament: 85%

Reason for Hope: Rutgers has defeated some quality opponents in Syracuse, Illinois, Purdue, and Maryland and their defense has been stellar at times as they have not given up more than 75 points and in seventeen games this season and they have held their opponents to 63 or fewer points eight times. They have two of their last three games as well.

Reason to be Pessimistic: Rutgers has struggled away from their home court and when they only put up 51 points in a 21-point loss to Nebraska, that is a cause of concern moving ahead. That was not the first time Scarlet Knights struggled offensively as they only put up 45 points in a 23 point loss to Michigan State.

They also struggled with road losses to Iowa, Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State where they scored 68 or fewer points. The Scarlet Knights need to defeat Indiana to guarantee a bid for the NCAA tournament because a loss may put them in one of the play-in games.

Big Ten Tournament Opponent: No. 10 seed Indiana

Victories

*Eastern Illinois
*Arkansas-Pine Bluff
*Green Bay
*Rhode Island
*Loyola Chicago
*Louisville
*Nebraska (twice)
*@Michigan State
*Minnesota
*Indiana
*@Rutgers
*Northwestern (twice)
*@Maryland
*@Nebraska

Defeats

*@Marquette
*Maryland
*Michigan (twice)
*Ohio State
*@Penn State
*Illinois (twice)
*Iowa (twice)
*@Purdue

Net ranking: 26

KenPom ranking: 11

AP ranking: N/A

B1G Tournament Seed: 6

Possibility of Post-Season Tournament: 99%

Reason for Hope: The Badgers beat two quality teams in Loyola Chicago and Louisville and Wisconsin has also defeated on the road Maryland and Michigan State. The Badgers have a good all-around team and with favorable matchups, Wisconsin with a win in the Big Ten tournament can get a decent seed in the NCAA tournament and make a run to the Sweet Sixteen.

Reason to be Pessimistic: Wisconsin has lost their last three games and five of their last six games as well. Their only win during that time was a road victory at Northwestern. The Badgers offense has really struggled lately failing to score 70 or more points in seven of their last eight games. Wisconsin needs more offensive production to make a run in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.

Big Ten Tournament Opponent: The play the winner of the Penn State vs. Nebraska game