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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; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) dunks the ball past Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Issa Thiam (35) during first half at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Jordan Murphy (3) dunks the ball past Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Issa Thiam (35) during first half at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
8

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last week: (14-12, 6-7 Big Ten)
Last rank: 6th

Iowa was a small run, or two, away from winning two in Week 14 and improving to 16-10 on the season and 8-5 in conference play. In fact, the Hawkeyes took Minnesota to overtime on the road only to lose by double figures and then hung with Michigan State, also on the road, for about 30 minutes before lagging in the final part of the game thanks to a momentum swing and the Spartans’ overwhelming athleticism.

The Hawkeyes lost two and will drop a couple of spots in this week’s power rankings, but the future is bright, even if Peter Jok will be gone after this year. Fran McCaffery has lost a handful of players from last year’s NCAA Tournament team and has still managed to hover around the .500 mark in conference action and the Hawkeyes are still competitive against the top teams.

7

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last week: (18-7, 6-6 Big Ten)
Last rank: 8th

Minnesota has one of the better overall records in the Big Ten, the Golden Gophers needed three straight wins to get to 18-7. Richard Pitino’s team began the season red-hot and it looked like they were going to cruise through conference play and into the NCAA Tournament. However, after a 3-6 start in Big Ten play, the Golden Gophers were free-falling with no end in sight.

Luckily for them, they turned four straight close losses into momentum which has led to three consecutive wins. They did need overtime to defeat Iowa at home but ended up winning by 12. Minnesota then went on the road to take down Rutgers and knock the Scarlet Knights back to the basement where they belong. This team is young and athletic and could make some noise down the stretch.