The Big Ten teams ranked in the top-25 all made significant moves in the polls this past week. Michigan State, Indiana, and Purdue all saw their stocks rise in the latest AP and Coaches Polls, as they combined for a 4-0 record this past week. Iowa and Maryland, meanwhile, dropped in the rankings as both teams failed to record a win last week.
Today, we take a look at how the five ranked Big Ten teams fared last week and a peak ahead at what team may see their name in the rankings next.
Michigan State Spartans (24-5)
- AP: #2 USA Today: #3
The Spartans jumped back in to the top three in both polls with a solid week. Michigan State handled Ohio State on the road 81-62. Bryn Forbes was on fire shooting 7-10 from deep and finishing with 27 points. Tom Izzo's team then tore apart Penn State at home on Sunday 88-57.
In the final week of the regular season, the Spartans will play at Rutgers before heading home to face Ohio State. Michigan State will be heavy favorites in both games and have a great chance to finish the season off in the top three.
Indiana Hoosiers (23-6)
-AP: #12 USA Today: #11
The Hoosiers are ranked as high as they've been all season this week after beating Illinois in their only game this week. Yogi Ferrell shot 11-18 in the game and scored 27 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Tom Crean's team now has two chances to clinch a solo Big Ten regular season championship. They will take on a struggling Iowa team on the road on Tuesday before heading home to end the season with Maryland. While both are tough games, it would be a huge disappointment for the Hoosiers to come this far just to drop their final two games.
Maryland Terrapins (23-6)
- AP: #14 USA Today: #12
Maryland dropped their third game in four tries as they dropped a tough one at Purdue 83-79. With just one week remaining, the Terrapins are ranked as low as they have been all season. This is not how Mark Turgeon wanted his squad to be playing heading in to March.
Maryland will host Illinois on Thursday before finishing the season on the road against Indiana. The Terrapins still have a shot to share the conference title if they win both games and Indiana loses at Iowa.
Purdue Boilermakers (22-7)
- AP: #15 USA Today: #13
Purdue rebounded from their loss at Indiana with a big home win over Maryland. AJ Hammons had 19 points and 7 rebounds in the win that revenged their earlier loss at College Park. Purdue has now jumped in to the top 15 in both polls and is looking to possibly secure a top four seed in the tournament.
The Boilermakers will go on the road to face Nebraska before returning home for the final game of the season against Wisconsin. If Purdue can get two wins it would go a long way to their seeding come Selection Sunday.
Iowa Hawkeyes (20-8)
-AP: #16 USA Today #15
The Hawkeyes dropped out of the top-10 for the first time in seven weeks after losing twice this past week. Iowa has now lost 4 of 5 games and are limping in to the final week of the regular season. The losses this past week were at the hands of Wisconsin and Ohio State.
Iowa will try to rebound in a huge showdown with Indiana on Tuesday. This is a great chance for the Hawkeyes to get back on track at home against the top team in the Big Ten standings. Iowa will then end the season on the road against Michigan. Two wins could catapult the Hawkeyes back to where they want to be to end the season.
Who's Next?
Last week, I said with two wins Wisconsin had a great chance to be ranked. The Badgers handled their business with wins over Iowa and Michigan, but were not rewarded with a ranking in either poll. Instead, Wisconsin is first in 'others receiving votes' in both polls. With road games against Minnesota and Purdue to finish the season, the Badgers can end the season in the Top 25 with two wins.