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

Just a few weeks ago, the Hoosiers were on their way to an easy day on Selection Sunday and a solid bid in the NCAA Tournament. Fast forward five straight losses later and they’re now currently on the bubble where it could go either way.

It started with a loss to Illinois at home but the road defeat to Northwestern was the big problem. Five players were suspended for that game, including starting point guard Xavier Johnson. The next three opponents (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State) were all ranked and weren’t bad losses but when you add the off-the-court issues and this current streak, you see a potential imploding down the stretch.

Trayce Jackson-Davis (18.0 ppg and 8.3 rpg) continues to excel but outside of Johnson and Race Thompson, there’s little offense on Indiana’s offense as we saw in the overtime loss to the Buckeyes this week, stopping the star big man equals big trouble for this team.

There’s still a chance for this team to turn things around in the next four games. Winnable matchups against Maryland and Minnesota are up next but both are “must-wins” for the Hoosiers. Lose either of them and they’ll have to make a run in the Big Ten Tournament to get a bid.