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College Basketball Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 15

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 7, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) moves the ball on Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2017; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Moritz Wagner (13) moves the ball on Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jae'Sean Tate (1) reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jae’Sean Tate (1) reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
12

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last week: (10-14, 4-8 Big Ten)
Last rank: 12th

Nebraska may have the worst overall record in the conference, but the Cornhuskers are not nearly as poor as that mark indicates. In fact, they’ve lost four Big Ten games by less than 10 and three by one single point. The Cornhuskers are a couple made free throws or a made jumpers away from being 13-11 overall and 7-5 in conference play. Not just that, but they almost recorded their biggest win of the year.

Wisconsin came to town last week and the Cornhuskers were finally at full-strength with the return of Ed Morrow. However, the Cornhuskers’ ability to force overtime just wasn’t enough. Nigel Hayes hit a 3-pointer to put the Badgers up for good with under 20 seconds left in the game and Nebraska lost its only contest of the week.

11

Ohio State Buckeyes

Last week: (15-11, 5-8 Big Ten)
Last rank: 10th

After leading for essentially the entire game, Ohio State allowed Rutgers to get back in it and tie things up with just over a minute to play. It took an 8-2 run in the final minute and season-high 23 points from junior guard Kam Williams to put the Scarlet Knights away for good. Ohio State improved to 15-10 on the season and the NCAA Tournament still seemed like a possibility.

However, the Buckeyes needed to go on the road on Saturday and take down Maryland, but that would be no easy task. They got behind early and were forced to play catch-up the rest of the way which was a recipe for disaster. Not even Marc Loving and Jae’Sean Tate’s combined 44 points were enough to overcome the Terrapins in College Park.