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

10. Illinois Fighting Illini – 9-5 (0-3)

Coming into the season, the Illini was a team that was viewed with a very high ceiling but also a low floor based on how the roster was constructed. They have wins over top-10 teams, UCLA and Texas, but now have five losses, including to Maryland, Penn State, and Northwestern.

In the recent loss to the Wildcats, Illinois’s offense could get nothing going. They shot 40% from the field and went 8/28 from three-point range. Terrence Shannon, who leads the team in scoring, had just nine points on 3/8 shooting, though he did dish out seven assists. Matthew Mayer had 17 points and seven rebounds, while both Coleman Hawkins and Jayden Epps were in double figures.

But despite Northwestern shooting just 32% from the field, they managed to win, 73-60. That puts Illinois at the very bottom of the standings and they haven’t yet faced the top teams in the Big Ten yet. They’re capable of beating anyone but also can lose to anyone as well.

Illinois now takes on Wisconsin at home, a major opportunity to get back on track and add another big win for its resume. Going 0-4 in the Big Ten would be ill-advised, especially considering how tough the end stretch of the schedule is for them.