The Big Ten race is really starting to heat up as Michigan officially fell for the first time in conference play to a team that had not won a Big Ten game up to that point, with Minnesota taking home the win. Michigan State is looking like a team that can't be beaten as they escaped a scare from Illinois.
With a good portion of games left before March, now is when teams need to focus on finding wins anywhere they can. Some teams at the bottom need to find big wins, while the teams on top try to make sure they don't get caught in any trap games.
With that, here are the latest Big Ten basketball power rankings.
Previous ranking: 18
Minnesota is finally on the board as the Golde Gophers got their first win in Big Ten play and it came in a major fashion. Minnesota took down the Big Ten undefeated Michigan Wolverines, who were running stride for stride with Michigan State at the top of the conference. However, with their overall record, the Golden Gophers still sit at the bottom of the Big Ten.
Previous ranking: 17
The Washington Huskies continue to struggle through Big Ten play as they are just 1-6 in the conference and have lost four games in a row. Granted, all four of those games were against four-ranked opponents and four of the top five teams in the Big Ten.
Previous ranking: 12
Ohio State has fallen in the last week, but some of that could be due to the fact that the football team is all anyone can talk about in Columbus. In all seriousness, though, the Buckeyes have struggled to win the games that matter most and are currently on a three-game losing streak to some of the top teams in the Big Ten.
Previous ranking: 15
Northwestern hasn't budged much in these power rankings as they continue to win some games but lose others. With a 2-5 record in the Big Ten and having lost four of their last five games, the Wildcats are just trying to figure out ways to build a resume for the NCAA Tournament, but at this point, it seems unlikely.
Previous ranking: 14
A win early on in the season over then No. 8 Purdue seemed to give the Nittany Lions some life on the basketball court, but they have lost it in the last four games. With three of their last four games against ranked opponents, Penn State has dropped four in a row and is just trying to find any way to get back in the win column.
Previous ranking: 10
Nebraska seemed like a team primed to make their comeback to the NCAA Tournament, but their last four games just might run that. The Cornhuskers have dropped four games in two, losing to just one ranked opponent in that span. Nebraska's schedule is only going to get tougher, so they need to find answers now if they want to get back in the win column consistently.
Previous ranking: 16
After stopping three games in a row, Rutgers was able to get back on track with back-to-back wins against struggling UCLA and Nebraska teams. The Scarlet Knights have the talent to be a good team, but it comes down to putting it all together at the right time.
Previous ranking: 13
After back-to-back Quad 1 wins over No. 13 Illinois and Iowa, the Trojans dropped a tough one against No. 24 Wisconsin. However, the two wins could give this Trojans team enough confidence to move forward against a struggling Nebraska team.
Previous ranking: 8
After winning five of six games, the Hawkeyes have now dropped two in a row on the West Coast. Iowa was looking like a team on the rise, but two losses to USC and UCLA have certainly cooled them down, and they need to find a way to get back on track with some very winnable games ahead.
Previous ranking: 11
After dropping four straight, UCLA was finally able to get back in the win column with a big win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Head coach Mick Cronin has tried to get his team to the point he believes they should be and it seems like they might be getting there.
Previous ranking: 9
Maryland had an uncharacteristic loss to Northwestern last week but came back to beat a struggling Nebraska team. This next week will be a true test for the Terrapins as they take on No. 17 Illinois, Indiana nad No. 18 Wisconsin, three very tough teams. This could give Maryland all they need to keep moving up.
Previous ranking: 4
A rocky start in the Big Ten seems like a thing of the past for Oregon as they have now moved to 4-3 in conference play, but a tough loss against No. 17 Purdue has moved the ducks down a bit. The Ducks have a four-game stretch of games they should absolutely win in front of them before they take on a tough Michigan team.
Previous ranking: 5
Indiana needed to bounce back after the tough Iowa loss but instead had an even worse game against Illinois, which ended in a fight between the two teams. The good news is that the Hoosiers were able to pull it together and win a tough overtime game against Ohio State later in the week that keeps them towards the top of the Big Ten.
Previous ranking: 6
Illinois had faltered in the past two weeks with the loss to USC and the now loss to Michigan State. Granted, no one in the Big Ten has yet to come up with an answer against the Spartans, but after such a huge win over Indiana, the Fighting Illini had all the right momentum heading into their matchup against Michigan State.
Previous ranking: 7
Wisconsin is beginning to head up with seven wins in a row and five Big Ten wins in a row. After starting out 0-2 in conference play, the Badgers have come roaring back and look like a team on a mission. Wisconsin has a very favorable schedule ahead and could continue to climb the ranks in the coming weeks.
Previous ranking: 2
The Wolverines suffered their first loss in Big Tne play when they surprisingly lost to Minnesota later in the week. Michigan was keeping up with Michigan State, but one stumble has now moved them behind Purdue as well, but they have a chance to make it up in their upcoming matchup with the Boilermakers.
Previous ranking: 3
Purdue was able to capitalize on the downfall of Michigan this past week, as the Boilermakers have now won seven in a row. A big win over No. 13 Oregon has helped Purdue and will hopefully give them confidence heading into their matchup with No. 21 Michigan later this week.
Previous ranking: 1
Michigan State remains at the top of the Big Ten as they have yet to drop a game in conference play. The Spartans have now won 11 games in a row as well as seven Big Ten games in a row. It was a close call against Illinois later in the week, but Michigan State was able to walk away with the win and should have some easier matchups coming up.