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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 9, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter gives instructions to Purdue Boilermakers forward Caleb Swanigan (50) during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 69 to 64. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Badgers

Last week: (21-4, 10-2 Big Ten)
Last rank: 1st

After spending weeks as the No. 1 team in the Big Ten power rankings, Wisconsin was finally tripped up by Northwestern at home. The Badgers rarely lose at the Kohl Center and they haven’t since the beginning of the season when North Carolina came to town for the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The Wildcats came to Madison and stole one from Wisconsin without their top scorer.

This should come as no surprise, though. Wisconsin had flirted with danger for over a month. The Badgers had close calls against Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers, Indiana and even last week against Nebraska on the road, winning by just one in overtime. Maybe this loss will prove to be a spark that the Badgers needed to push through the final few weeks of the year and come away with the regular season Big Ten title.

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Purdue Boilermakers

Last week: (20-5, 9-3 Big Ten)
Last rank: 2nd

We have a new No. 1 this week and they’re known as the Purdue Boilermakers. They played just one game in Week 14, beating Indiana on the road by five points. While the win over the Hoosiers is looking less impressive by the day, Purdue still showed mental toughness by going into one of the toughest environments in the Big Ten and coming out on top of a back-and-forth battle.

Next: AP Poll Week 15 winners and losers

Caleb Swanigan had another double-double, recording 16 points and 14 rebounds and Vince Edwards had his best game of the season, finishing with 26 points. Swanigan, Edwards and Carsen Edwards combined for 55 of the Boilermakers’ 69 points and they’re going to need more help, offensively, if they want to make a push for the Big Ten regular season crown.