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Big Ten Basketball: Indiana tumbles, Rutgers storms up in latest power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 20, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Eli Brooks (55) looks to pass as Wisconsin Badgers guard Johnny Davis (1) and guard Brad Davison (34) defend at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Eli Brooks (55) looks to pass as Wisconsin Badgers guard Johnny Davis (1) and guard Brad Davison (34) defend at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten Basketball
Big Ten Basketball Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Alonzo Verge Jr. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

We’re just a couple of weeks left in the regular season for Big Ten Basketball and the conference overall is in strong shape. The league currently has five teams ranked in the AP top-25 rankings and from a Bracketology standpoint, has nine in consideration to get a bid for the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

Things certainly have been exciting, with a brawl between Michigan and Wisconsin creating national headlines. There also was plenty of big-time matchups that have created jumbled standings at the top of the conference.

With most teams having between 4-5 games left before the Big Ten Basketball Tournament, there’s plenty left to be decided on the court. Where does everyone currently stand? Here are my latest power rankings for the league from bottom to top.

488. . 7-19 (1-14). . Cornhuskers . 14. team

It looked as if the Cornhuskers weren’t going to get in the win column in Big Ten Basketball at all this season. However, they were able to land a big 13-point win over Minnesota, led by 22 points from Alonzo Verge Jr., along with 16 points from freshman Bryce McGowens. The 65 points allowed was the second time the team allowed fewer points in league play (63 against Rutgers).

The defense fell flat again afterward, giving up 90 and 98 points respectively to both Iowa and Maryland in defeats. And with four of the last five games coming on the road and the lone home matchup against the high-scoring Iowa Hawkeyes, and a 1-19 league record heading into the conference is very likely.

Would that put head coach Fred Hoiberg fully on the hot seat? You’d have to think so. But he has a reported high buyout and does a rebuilding program want to pay both him and a new head coach for similar results? That’s unlikely. But with the younger McGowens likely to end the NBA Draft and Verge moving on as well, Nebraska doesn’t have many signs of optimism.

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