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College Basketball Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 12

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 18, 2017; Lincoln, NE, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kam Williams (15) reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Ohio State won 67-66. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Lincoln, NE, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Kam Williams (15) reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Ohio State won 67-66. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 19, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Kevin Huerter (4) controls the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) defends during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Maryland won 84-76. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Kevin Huerter (4) controls the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes forward Nicholas Baer (51) defends during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Maryland won 84-76. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
2

Maryland Terrapins

Last week: (17-2, 5-1 Big Ten)
Last rank: 2nd

Who would have thought Maryland would be the top team in the Big Ten through about a month of conference action? I thought the Terrapins would be a darkhorse contender to win the conference, but I didn’t think they’d put up this type of a start. Mark Turgeon has done an exceptional job once again after losing Robert Carter, Rasheed Sulaimon, Diamond Stone and Jake Layman.

Melo Trimble returned as the junior leader and starting point guard and is currently one of the top Big Ten Player of the Year candidates. Couple him with a few top-100 recruits from the 2016 class and you have a decent team. Maryland won its only game last week against Iowa on the road, improving to 5-1 in conference play and jumping to No. 22 in the country.

1

Wisconsin Badgers

Last week: (15-3, 4-1 Big Ten)
Last rank: 1st

From an unexpected Big Ten contender to the team that everyone thought would run away with the conference title. Wisconsin was expected to win the Big Ten before the season began because of returning stars like Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes and Ethan Happ. All three have been phenomenal this season and the Badgers are right where they should be.

Wisconsin did have a tough week against Michigan and Minnesota, though. The Badgers nearly blew home-court advantage against the Wolverines, coming from behind to win by four. They also needed overtime to beat the suddenly-struggling Golden Gophers on the road. A 2-0 week could have easily been 0-2.