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College Basketball Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 13

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 22, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 74-72 at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 74-72 at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an eventful Week 12 of college basketball filled with upsets, here are the Week 13 Big Ten power rankings.

The college basketball season is moving faster than anyone would like to admit. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the preseason Top 25, but now we are over halfway through the regular season and the nation’s top teams are beginning to take shape — although Week 12 was a wild one on a national scale.

Big Ten play is also starting to heat up as there have been a multitude of surprising victories and teams on the rise. Northwestern is one of those programs that has been pleasantly surprising this season while Indiana has been quite the opposite.

Maryland is also opening some eyes despite losing a plethora of talented players from last year’s team. Did Wisconsin and Purdue take care of business in Week 12 to lead the way yet again in Week 13?

Here are the Week 13 Big Ten basketball power rankings. Who tops the list?

14

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last week: (12-10, 1-8 Big Ten)
Last rank: 14th

Will Rutgers ever escape the basement of the Big Ten standings and/or power rankings? Well, the Scarlet Knights were extremely close to doing so in Week 12 as they played Maryland tough on the road, only to lose by 12 but then finished off by taking Wisconsin to overtime. The Badgers are considered the Big Ten’s top team, so that was a bit shocking.

Every elite team has a scare against a mediocre opponent from time to time and that really built some confidence for the Scarlet Knights. If they can stick with Wisconsin, they can stick with anyone. However, close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes. Rutgers has lost 9-of-10 after starting the season 11-1.

13

Illinois Fighting Illini

Last week: (13-9, 3-6 Big Ten)
Last rank: 13th

Illinois is a couple losses away from missing out on the NCAA Tournament yet again under John Groce and the head coach may be looking for a new job this offseason if he doesn’t turn things around. The Fighting Illini stay at No. 13 in the power rankings this week after beating Iowa and then losing to Penn State.

While the win over Iowa was impressive, it just wasn’t enough to overcome the Penn State defeat. Malcolm Hill continues to be a major bright spot for the 13-9 Illini as he’s averaging over 17 points per game on the year. Illinois will face Wisconsin and Minnesota, both at home, this week for a chance to move up in the power rankings and add some quality wins to the resume.