2016-17 Week 7 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Power Rankings

The holidays bring family and friends together but also bring the start of women’s basketball Big Ten play, where we find out which teams truly have the stamina to last in this competitive conference.

We bring to you the power rankings prior to the start of each team’s conference schedule.

*Point system for power rankings calculated by the following equation:

90+ {(winning percentage) x (games played) x (10/games won in last 10)} + (games won of 10 – games lost of 10) +/- winning streak

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Week 6 Power Rankings:

#1 - Maryland (12-0) – 124 points --

It’s very clear that Maryland is the favorite team in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have not only won all of their games but have claimed every victory by a convincing margin.

UMD is one of the teams that still has a non-conference contest still on their schedule, as the Terrapin squad returns to the court on the 29^th to host No. 1 ranked UConn.

#2 - Penn State (10-2) – 115 points +3

The Nittany Lions jumped three spots as they continue their 6-game winning streak, most recently earning the W over Iona College, 80-67.

Penn State will play Indiana in Happy Valley on the 28^th to kick off their conference games.

#3 - Indiana (10-3) – 114 points +6

Indiana is another team that is hot, sporting a 6-game winning streak as well. The Hoosiers defeated Stony Brook, 74-60, and will make the first Big Ten match-up with Penn State interesting.

#4 - Michigan (10-3) – 110 points +2

The Wolverines stomped over American University, 82-33, which will give them a whole lot of confidence heading into their game with Rutgers.

Michigan shouldn’t have a problem with the Scarlet Knights on the 28^th

#5 - Ohio State (10-4) – 109 points +2

OSU continues to inch their way up the Big Ten power rankings, despite falling to UConn, 82-63, on Monday.

The Buckeyes had an easy time taking down Winthrop and worked on a few things to get them ready for Minnesota next week. The Gophers will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face the Buckeyes.

#6 - Northwestern (10-2) – 107 points -4

Northwestern dropped tremendously after their 67-56 loss to Gonzaga. Although Gonzaga is not a weak women’s basketball program by any means, the score makes Big Ten followers wonder if Northwestern will be able to last in conference play.

Next week, the Wildcats travel to Nebraska to take on the Huskers.

#7 - Michigan State (10-3) – 107 points -3

The Spartans also took a steep drop moving down three spots.

MSU was able to keep it close with No. 2 Notre Dame for a bit but ended up falling 79-61. The Spartans will have a break until New Year's day when they host Illinois in East Lansing.

#8 - Iowa (9-4) – 107 points --

Iowa happens to maintain the eighth spot in the power rankings, scoring a solid 107 points.

The Hawkeyes are a team that can cause some damage but might not have the strength to be a top contender for the Big Ten championship.

#9 - Minnesota (8-4) – 106 points +1

Minnesota slightly moved up but will have a difficult time next week when they head to Columbus, Ohio to face the Buckeyes.

#10 - Purdue (9-5) L1 – 106 points -7

The Lady Boilermakers way up at the third slot last week, but hitting the five-loss mark really brought them down.

If they can take a win in Evanston, Illinois against the Northwestern Wildcats, Purdue will see another rise.

#11 - Wisconsin (5-8) – 101 points +2

And now we begin to take a look at the teams that are heading into the conference schedule with a record that has a winning percentage below .500.

Wisco takes the court again New Year's day against Michigan.

#12 - Illinois (5-7) L1 – 99 points -1

Illinois looks to turn their record around starting with Iowa next Wednesday.

#13 - Nebraska (4-8) L2 – 97 points -1

The Huskers had a tough task with UConn and sure won’t have a walk in the park with Northwestern for their first in-conference match-up.

#14 - Rutgers (3-10) L1 – 95 points --