2016-’17 Week 9 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Power Rankings

“New Year, new me” is how the saying goes, and after the ball dropped for the beginning of 2017 there were a few women’s basketball teams within the Big Ten conference that wanted to make that saying a reality. Then there were some that said, “You know what? We like where we are.”

Check out how the power rankings changed after the first week and a half of play in 2017.

Big Ten Women’s Basketball Week 8 Power Rankings

#1 – Maryland Terrapins (15-1, 3-0)

The No. 3 Terps reclaim the top spot in the power rankings after capturing victories in their first few conference games. The most impressive win came over Northwestern, beating the Wildcats 96-65.

Let’s not forget that the Terps held on with No. 1 ranked UConn right until the final buzzer.

#2 – Ohio State Buckeyes (14-4, 4-0)

Ohio State has been on a role ever since they lost to No. 1 UConn in Storrs, Connecticut. The Buckeyes are currently on a five-game winning streak after defeating Michigan, 96-87 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Buckeyes will have another test as they host another one of their rivals in Michigan State, Tuesday evening.

#3 – Michigan Wolverines (13-4, 2-1)

Michigan was another team that was on a lengthy winning streak, prior to losing to Ohio State. Now, the Wolverines have a couple of winnable games as they host Indiana and Minnesota this week.

#4 – Northwestern Wildcats (13-4, 2-2)

The Wildcats took a hard loss to Ohio State at home and was not able to pull away with the W in College Park, Maryland either.

Northwestern got the tough part of their conference schedule out of the way early. Maybe that will help them down the stretch, as they are still one of the favorite teams in the Big Ten conference.

#5 – Indiana Hoosiers (12-4, 2-1)

Indiana bounced back after a 10-point loss to Ohio State by defeating Minnesota, 78-62. They travel to Michigan to face the Wolverines on Tuesday.

#6 – Michigan State Spartans (12-4, 2-1)

The Spartans fell to Purdue, 65-54, and 20-pieced Nebraska, 93-73. If Michigan State can pull off a win Tuesday night against No. 11 Ohio State, they can move up a couple spots in the power rankings.

#7 - Purdue Boilermakers (11-6, 2-1)

Earning the wins over Michigan State and Penn State their past two games, the Boilermakers move up a slot in the rankings.

#8 – Penn State Nittany Lions (11-5, 1-3)

Penn State’s loss to Purdue was tough for the team’s confidence and will not have it easy when they hit the road to face No. 3 Maryland on Wednesday.

#9 – Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-7, 1-3)

The Golden Gophers returned to the hardwood this past Saturday and took down the Wisconsin Badgers, 88-60, after losing three in a row.

Minnesota takes on Northwestern Wednesday night.

#10 – Illinois Fighting Illini (7-9, 2-1)

Illinois took a beat down from Michigan State but came back by defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 78-41.

#11 - Iowa Hawkeyes (10-6, 1-2)

The Hawkeyes had a bit of a break between games but will return to the court Wednesday when they host the Fighting Illini of Illinois.

#12 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-12, 2-2)

The Scarlet Knights got off to a great start to their conference schedule winning two of three but then fell to Illinois.

#13 – Wisconsin Badgers (5-11, 0-3)

Wisconsin is having a tough season so far; there is no doubt about it. The Badgers will continue their schedule versus Purdue on Wednesday.

#14 – Nebraska Huskers (4-12, 0-4)

Nebraska wraps up the power rankings for this week and will pick things back up Tuesday versus Rutgers.