Big Ten Basketball power rankings: Illinois free falls, Rutgers soars up

11. Northwestern Wildcats – 11-3 (2-1)

It’s hard to see where Northwestern fits in the Big Ten hierarchy because they either get blown out or win close games. After barely surviving Brown to end the non-conference, the Wildcats lost 73-57 last Sunday to Ohio State. Chase Audige had 16 points to lead the team, with guards Ty Berry and Boo Buie also in double figures.

The Wildcats didn’t have a great game against Illinois this week offensively, shooting just 32% from the field. Where they did do well was the 7/18 shooting from deep, as well as 32/40 from the free throw line. Buie and Audige alone with 18/20 combined, scoring 36 points together to lead the team to a 73-60 “upset” over the Fighting Illini.

This is a team that doesn’t win pretty but they’ve managed to survive not having either Pete Nance or Ryan Young. Both Robby Beran and Matthew Nicholson have played well in their place, while the guards continue to lead the way.

Northwestern has a tough five-game stretch coming up, starting with a road game at Indiana. It’s one of three road games coming up but this team is 2-0 to this point, having beaten Michigan State and Georgetown away from home.