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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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Jan 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Richard Pitino during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. The Ohio State Buckeyes won 78-72. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Richard Pitino during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. The Ohio State Buckeyes won 78-72. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
10

Penn State Nittany Lions

Last week: (12-10, 4-5 Big Ten)
Last rank: 9th

Penn State continues to puzzle me. After beating Michigan State a few weeks ago at the Palestra in Philadelphia, it looked like the Nittany Lions were rounding a corner. Since that victory, though, they are just 2-3 and recorded a loss to Wisconsin, 82-55, but followed that up with a win over Illinois, 71-67. Which performance best represents what this team actually is?

It’s hard to tell which squad you will get game in and game out with the Nittany Lions and that has to be frustrating for Pat Chambers who has the talent on the roster. Shep Garner is the veteran leader, but guys like Tony Carr, Mike Watkins, Lamar Stevens and Payton Banks are all contributing greatly. A road game against Indiana and home contest versus Rutgers await Penn State this week.

9

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last week: (15-7, 3-6 Big Ten)
Last rank: 7th

As you can tell by the picture above, Richard Pitino is not happy these days. The Minnesota head coach has watched as his team went from Big Ten sleeper to out of the race in a matter of a few weeks. Minnesota was a scary team to play not too long ago when they were No. 24 in the country and the hottest team in the conference, but the Golden Gophers have since lost five straight.

Starting conference play 3-1 looked to be a positive sign for the Gophers, but the regression has been quite obvious. This team just doesn’t have the firepower to hang with Wisconsin, Maryland or even Michigan State this season. Minnesota is young, so you can expect a bounce-back in 2017-18, but if the Gophers continue down this path, missing the tourney is a real possibility.