Week 10 Polls: Five Big Ten Teams Ranked In USA Today Coaches Poll

After the 2nd week of Big Ten games, just three teams remain undefeated in conference play: Maryland, Iowa, and newly ranked Indiana (in the Coaches Poll). These three teams, along with Michigan State and Purdue, make up the 5 ranked from the Big Ten in the Week 10 polls. Maryland continued to be the highest ranked Big Ten team for the second straight week, staying at #3 in the nation behind just Kansas and Oklahoma. Michigan State sits right behind the Terrapins at #4 in both polls while Iowa, Purdue, and Indiana all come in between #15 and #25.

Today, we take a look at how the five ranked Big Ten teams fared last week and a peak at what team may appear in the top-25 next.

Maryland Terrapins (15-1)

- AP: #3 USA Today: #3

Maryland continued their strong start in the Big Ten with wins over Rutgers and Wisconsin. The Badgers gave the Terrapins all they could handle in Madison, but Melo Trimble's 21 points and late game heroics carried Maryland by Wisconsin.

The Terrapins will face a tough Michigan team in Ann Arbor Tuesday before coming home Saturday to face Ohio State. Tuesday should be a good test for Maryland as the Wolverines have won 6 out of 7 and had been playing their best basketball of the season before losing to Purdue on the road Thursday.

Michigan State Spartans (16-1)

- AP: #4 (1) USA Today: #4

In Denzel Valentine's first game back, the Spartans reminded people how good they can be with their star back in the lineup as they beat Penn State 92-65. While Valentine didn't play that well against Penn State, just having him back in the lineup gave the Spartans an extra hop in their step to blow past the Nittany Lions. This capped off a 2-0 week for Tom Izzo's squad as they also beat Illinois 79-54 in East Lansing on Thursday.

Michigan State will have its hands full this week as they host Iowa on Thursday and travel to Madison on Sunday. The Hawkeyes will be a revenge game for Michigan State as Iowa handed the Spartans their sole loss of the season. Look for Michigan State to come out ready to play in East Lansing against Iowa.

Iowa Hawkeyes (12-3)

-AP: #16 USA Today #19

The Hawkeyes jumped in to the rankings last week after knocking off #1 ranked Michigan State. Iowa had a quiet week as they handled Nebraska at home on Tuesday and moved up to #16 in the AP Poll. Jarrod Uthoff continues to shine for Iowa as he had 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Iowa will have another chance to prove themselves this week as they try to knock off Michigan State for the second time this season. It will be a lot tougher for the Hawkeyes this time around as they will have to go on the road and face a fully loaded Michigan State team with Denzel Valentine back from injury. Iowa will then host Michigan on Sunday.

Purdue Boilermakers (14-3)

- AP: #24 USA Today: #24

Purdue fell to 2-2 in conference play after losing Sunday to Illinois on the road. The Boilermakers couldn't stop the Fighting Illini's junior guard tandem of Malcolm Hill and Kendrick Nunn who combined for 52 points on 17-27 shooting. Matt Painter's squad was able to knock off Michigan earlier in the week at home.

The Boilermakers continue conference play with just one game on the slate this week against Penn State. Look for Purdue to come out much more focused at home after the loss to Illinois.

Indiana Hoosiers (14-3)

-AP: N/A USA Today: #25

The Hoosiers snuck back in to the Coaches Poll as they won their 8th and 9th straight games last week. Indiana slid by Wisconsin 59-58 and handled Ohio State 85-60. Both games were at home and the Hoosiers still haven't lost since December 2nd against Duke.

Indiana has just one game this week at Minnesota. This game should see the Hoosiers continue their win streak as Minnesota has really struggled all season.

Who's Next?

As long as Indiana knocks off Minnesota, they can expect to see their name in both polls next week. The other team to watch here is Michigan, because of the opportunity they have. The Wolverines were playing better basketball until Purdue knocked them off, and while it is unlikely, back to back wins against Maryland and Iowa this week could propel the Wolverines to receive attention in the polls. Those two wins would give them a 14-4 record on the season.