Final Big Ten Power Rankings

It clearly was a rebound year for the Big Ten. Despite what Mike Imrem of the Daily Herald might think, the Big Ten was a good conference this season. Sending nine teams to post season tournaments showed the depth of the league, while Michigan State’s play in the NCAA Tournament shows the Big Ten has a legitimate elite team at the top.

1. Michigan State (30-6, 15-3): NCAA Tournament (In Final 4)

Tom Izzo has done it again. For the fifth time in 11 years he’s taken Michigan State to the Final Four. There were some shaky moments and some surprising losses during the season, but how can you knock a team with 30 wins and a date with UConn on Saturday for a chance to play for the championship?

2. Purdue (27-10, 11-7): NCAA Tournament (L, Sweet 16)

There were large expectations for the Boilers coming into the season, and for the most part, they met those expectations. What’s scary was how young this team was. Better health from Robbie Hummel may have made a different, but the Boilers saw nice improvement from JaJuan Johnson.

3. Illinois (24-10, 11-7); NCAA Tournament (L, 1^st Rd)

The Illini fell victim to 12^th seeded Western Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Even so, Bruce Webber’s team rebounded big time from last season. Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale improved a great deal to help point this program upward again.

4. Ohio State (22-11, 10-8); NCAA Tournament (L, 1^st Rd)

The Buckeyes had a nice season after failing to make the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Evan Turner emerged as a star. This team could have been even better had B.J. Mullens made a bigger impact and if David Lighty hadn’t been injured.

5. Wisconsin (20-13, 10-8); NCAA Tournament (L, 2^nd Rd)

The Badgers underachieved more than anyone else in the conference yet still got to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they nearly beat Xavier. It’s amazing to think that 20-13 and an NCAA Tourney berth is now a disappointment at Wisconsin. Nice work, Bo.

6. Penn State (26-11, 10-8); NIT (In NIT Championship)

Did anyone think that Penn State would still be playing in April? Granted it’s the NIT, but still, it’s been a great year for Ed DeChellis and the Nittany Lions. With JoePa on hand, Talor Battle and company were able to defeat Notre Dame at the Garden to get to the NIT championship. Penn State now has 26 WINS!

7. Michigan (21-14, 9-9); NCAA Tournament (L, 2^nd Rd)

John Beilein quickly turned the Wolverine program around. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years this season, knocking off several real good teams in the process. Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims became two of the Big Ten’s best.

8. Minnesota (22-11, 9-9); NCAA Tournament (L, 1^st Rd)

Like Michigan, Minnesota became relevant again because of a smart coaching hire. This was a solid season for the Gophers who were built around a nice nucleus of players like Al Nolen, Lawrence Westbrook and Damian Johnson. This team will be much better next season.

9. Northwestern (17-14, 8-10); NIT (L, 1^st Rd)

Bill Carmody got a lot out of a team with only a fair level of talent. That’s not to take anything away from Craig Moore and Kevin Coble--both turned in nice seasons. Getting to the NIT is a major accomplishment for a program that has never been to an NCAA Tournament.

10. Iowa (15-17, 5-13); No Postseason

Iowa endured a second straight rebuilding season. The Hawkeyes were competitive in most games though and showed some progress from year one. Jake Kelly became a real good player, but Iowa now has to move on without him. Times are tough in Iowa City.

11. Indiana (6-25, 1-17); No Postseason

Indiana had an awful season. There’s no other way to say it. It wasn’t like it was entirely unexpected though. The Kelvin Sampson fallout left the program in a tough situation. Hardworking Tom Crean won’t allow another season like this.