Indiana Head Coach Teri Moren watches the Hoosiers during the first half of the Indiana versus Murray State. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY
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Jan 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Moira Joiner (22). | Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
NET Ranking: 56
-Best Win/Worst Loss: Win @ Northwestern 93-52, Loss v. Wisconsin 67-61
Last Week: Loss @ Maryland
This Week: Loss v. Ohio State 67-59, v. Minnesota 1/25
In a Nutshell: Everything that could go wrong for the Illini has gone wrong. The shots aren't falling like they were last year. Guards Genesis Bryant and Makira Cook are not as efficient with the basketball as they were last year. Defensively, Illinois has trouble with length, especially on the wings.
NET Ranking: 79
Best Win/Worst Loss: Win v. Wisconsin 89-50, Loss @ Minnesota 60-58
Last Week: Loss to Michigan State
This Week: V. Ohio State on January 28
In a Nutshell: The Boilermaker's inexperience shows in the second half of games. They don't lack grit or toughness. However, Purdue lacks a true finisher on both ends of the floor. Their last two games are a perfect example of this. Two horrific quarters cost them the IU game. The exact same thing happened against Michigan State.
NET Ranking: 19
Best Win/Worst Loss: Win v. Maryland 74-69, Loss v. Nebraska 80-74
Last Week: Win v. Purdue 97-70
This Week: v. Michigan on January 27
In a Nutshell: The Spartans are in a cluster of 4-4 teams with Maryland and Minnesota. They've managed to hang with Iowa and Ohio State, but they need to beat a team that is ahead of them. Their home game against Michigan on Saturday morning is a pivotal one for the Spartans.
NET Ranking: 33
Best Win/Worst Loss: Win v. Nebraska 62-58, Loss @ Wisconsin 59-56
Last Week: Loss @ Wisconsin
This Week: Illinois on January 28
In a Nutshell: The Gophers have exceeded their win total from last season and should likely have their best season since 2018. The improvement should be celebrated. What does Minnesota need to get to the next level? They need to stop playing so much one-on-one basketball. That got them in trouble late against Wisconsin and was why the IU game got away from them so fast.
