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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 12, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh looks to pass over Wisconsin Badgers guard Zak Showalter (3) at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh looks to pass over Wisconsin Badgers guard Zak Showalter (3) at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
4

Maryland Terrapins

Last week: (21-4, 9-3 Big Ten)
Last rank: 3rd

Maryland had begun the season 20-2 before facing Purdue a couple of weeks ago, which happened to be the Terrapins’ first matchup with a ranked team on the season. While that was a chance for them to prove that the hot start wasn’t a fluke, it could also mean that they would continue to get overlooked with a loss as people would still complain that they haven’t beaten anyone.

The loss dropped the Terrapins in the rankings and then they fell once again in Week 14, making it two in a row, to Penn State in a road game. Was the 20-2 start misleading? Well, Maryland bounced back with a nice 86-77 win over Ohio State Saturday and that was with Melo Trimble scoring just 10 points. This team will be just fine, but it might be a year before the Terrapins are Final Four contenders.

3

Northwestern Wildcats

Last week: (19-6, 8-4 Big Ten)
Last rank: 4th

Could this be the year? Everyone in the Big Ten who follows college basketball is wondering that same question about the Northwestern Wildcats. They have never made the NCAA Tournament in school history, which is extremely difficult to believe. The Wildcats are now 19-6 after a huge win on Sunday evening and basically a lock to get into the field for the first time.

It would take a massive meltdown for Northwestern to miss out on the Big Dance and that would include losing their final six regular season games as well as the first matchup in the Big Ten Tournament. Even then, it would be tough to leave the Wildcats out of the tourney. Beating Wisconsin without Scottie Lindsey on Sunday was a huge resume-builder.