Editor’s note: Every week, The Daily Illini sports staff ranks the basketball teams in the Big Ten, 1-14, and compiles the lists into its own Big Ten power rankings.

1. Purdue 20-5, 9-3

   The Boilermakers won a big rivalry game against Indiana this past week to extend its win streak to three. Purdue is ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25, and that’s still an underrated ranking. This is one of Matt Painter’s most talented rosters in recent years with loads of potential, come tournament time.

2. Wisconsin 21-4, 10-2

   The Badgers dropped down to the No. 2 spot in this week’s Power Rankings because of a one-point overtime win against Nebraska. Sure, the Badgers are in the midst of an eight-game win streak, but five of its last eight games were decided by a few possessions against mediocre teams.

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3. Maryland 21-4, 9-3

   Maryland suffered a loss to Penn State, but followed it up with a nine-point victory over Ohio State. Four Terps scored in double figures against Ohio State and Maryland as a team shot 49 percent from the field. This week, Maryland will be challenged when it squares up against Wisconsin.

4. Northwestern 19-6, 8-4

   Northwestern has failed to show up when it needed to most with a loss to Purdue, and certainly with a surprising loss to Illinois. The Wildcats  find themselves dancing in March after a huge upset win over Wisconsin, movinh them up in the rankings.

5. Michigan 16-9, 6-6

   The Wolverines had a nice 2-0 week with the dismantling of Michigan State and Indiana. Senior Derrick Walton Jr. has been on a tear for Michigan, dropping 24 points against the Spartans and 25 against the Hoosiers. If Michigan keeps it up, they will be in serious contention for a spot in the NCAA tourney.

6. Michigan State 15-10, 7-5

   Michigan State followed up a loss to Michigan with a complete team effort win over Iowa. The Spartans dished out 24 assists and shot 48 percent from the field with four players in double figures against Iowa. The Spartans will have to face Purdue, Wisconsin and Maryland to finish the year — a great test for March.

7. Minnesota 18-7, 6-6

   Richard Pitino enjoyed a relatively easy week with wins over Iowa and Rutgers. His Gophers are now two wins away from 20 on the season. Looking at its six remaining games on the schedule, 20 wins seems more probable than not.

8. Penn State 14-12, 6-7

   Penn State had an impressive upset over Maryland and followed it up with a win over the Illini. This was a much needed performance from the Nittany Lions after suffering a loss to Rutgers. Payton Banks torched Illinois with 24 points on Saturday.

9. Indiana 15-11, 5-8

   Oh how the mighty have fallen. Indiana has had a debacle of a year and continue to slip. Significant injuries have crushed the Hoosiers, who are currently riding a three-game losing streak. Things aren’t getting easier as Indiana will play four of its last five games on the road.

10. Nebraska 10-14, 4-8

    Nebraska nearly upset No. 7 Wisconsin this past week, which would have really shaken up the Big Ten. The good news for the Cornhuskers is there are no more Top-25 teams on its schedule. The bad news is that Nebraska hasn’t beaten any of the teams it will finish the year off with.

11. Ohio State 15-11, 5-8

    The Buckeyes have had an average week. They beat Rutgers and then lost to Maryland. Ohio State has failed to get the spark it needs to get going this season, and it’s too late for anything to happen now.

12. Iowa 14-12, 6-7

    Iowa had a rough week with losses to Minnesota and Michigan State. The Hawkeyes are still a decent team in the Big Ten, but an 2-0 week is brutal. Iowa can turn things around this week with games against Illinois and Indiana.

13. Illinois 14-12, 4-9

    The Illini turned some heads earlier this week with an unexpected win over Northwestern. That road win against “Chicago’s Big Ten Team” was the perfect opportunity to get on a win-streak. The Illini failed to do so with a loss to Penn State. Five games remain for Illinois. They should go 3-2 in those, but 5-0 sounds a lot sweeter.

14. Rutgers 13-13, 2-11

    After a win over Penn State two weeks ago, Rutgers has gone back to its losing ways. The Scarlet Knights lost to Ohio State by six and Minnesota by nine. It’d be great to see Rutgers notch another win before the regular season ends.

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