Big Ten Power Rankings

1. Michigan State (17-3, 7-1): The Spartans have started 5-0 in conference road games. Kalin Lucas has paced Michigan State, totaling 44 points combined in consecutive road wins over Ohio State and Iowa.

2. Purdue (16-4, 5-2): Purdue jumps Illinois this week as the Boilers have won five in a row, including three on the road. Their win in Madison was particularly impressive even if the Badgers are struggling. Almost no one wins at the Kohl Center.

3. Minnesota (18-3, 6-3): Tubby's club continues to improve their resume for tourney time. The 59-36 drubbing of the Illini adds to their quality wins. They held Illinois to its lowest point output in 24 years.

4. Illinois (17-4, 5-3): Illinois has continued their trend of dominating at home but suffered their third straight road loss since beating Purdue Dec. 30. Despite the blowout loss at the Barn, the Illini still may end up as the conference's second best team.

5. Ohio State (14-5, 4-4): Evan Turner's having a terrific season, averaging 15.9 points and 7.0 rebounds. The Buckeyes have several key non-conference wins, and it's hard to fault any of their conference losses (@Minn, @MSU, @Ill, MSU). Thus, their resume is solid to this point.

6. Michigan (14-7, 4-5): The Wolverines have lost four of five but remain in this spot because they have a better overall profile than Penn State. Michigan lost the first battle 73-58 in Happy Valley but will likely even the series when the teams meet in Ann Arbor Feb. 5.

7. Penn State (16-5, 5-3): Ed DeChellis' Lions are winners of three in a row and have been talked about as one of the surprises of the conference. However, they have mostly just won the games they're supposed to win. They now enter a brutal stretch with three of four on the road (@MSU, @Mich, WI, @ PU).

8. Wisconsin (12-8, 3-5): The Badgers continue to surprise -- in a bad way. They've lost five games in a row and need to right the ship soon. Luckily for Bo Ryan and company, Wisconsin enters the day with the 31st-ranked RPI having played the second toughest schedule in the nation. If they can get to 9-9 in the Big Ten they'll be in good shape for the NCAAs.

9. Northwestern (11-7, 3-5): Kevin Coble's 'Cats boast an astoundingly high no. 51 RPI. They actually have a case for being ranked higher than Penn State and Wisconsin. Northwestern owns three victories over RPI top 25 teams in Minnesota, Michigan State, and Florida State.

10. Iowa (12-9, 2-6): The Hawkeyes are actually pretty good for a tenth-place team. They continue to improve and should've beaten Penn State on the road. Had Cyrus Tate been healthy, Iowa may have a couple more wins. They simply do not have the depth to overcome a significant injury.

11. Indiana (5-14, 0-7): The Hoosiers limp into February losers of their last 10 games. That first Big Ten win is coming though. Tom Crean's too good of a coach not to get somebody. Look out Iowa on Feb. 4.