ESPN updates Big Ten men's basketball power rankings

The 2021-22 college basketball season has been full of excitement – especially in the Big Ten Conference. From Purdue’s highly successful campaign to Illinois’ rise and Ohio State’s marquee wins to Wisconsin’s hot streak, there hasn’t been any disappointment or letdown this season in the league.

Following Tuesday night’s slate of games, which was highlighted by No. 14 ranked Wisconsin beating No. 17 Michigan State and No. 3 Purdue recording a double-digit win over No. 13 Illinois, ESPN has updated its Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings for the 14 teams in the league.

Here’s a look at ESPN’s Big Ten men’s basketball power rankings, in order by each team’s Basketball Power Index – a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances.

1.) Purdue Boilermakers: Purdue (21-3) is ranked No. 5 nationally in the BPI. The Boilermakers – currently No. 3 in the AP Top 25 poll – have won six straight games and eight of their last nine.

2.) Illinois Fighting Illini: Illinois (17-6) is ranked No. 13 nationally in the BPI. The Fighting Illini – currently No. 13 in the AP Top 25 poll – had won four straight games before falling to Purdue on Tuesday.

3.) Iowa Hawkeyes: Iowa (15-7) is ranked No. 18 nationally in the BPI. The Hawkeyes snapped a two-game skid with a 71-59 win over Minnesota on Sunday. They’re back in action Thursday on the road at Maryland.

4.) Ohio State Buckeyes: Ohio State (14-5) is ranked No. 19 nationally in the BPI. The Buckeyes have dealt with numerous COVID-19 postponements this season, but are still ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25 poll and have won four of their last five games.

5.) Wisconsin Badgers: Wisconsin (19-4) is ranked No. 24 nationally in the BPI. The Badgers – currently No. 14 in the AP Top 25 poll – have lost just two games in their last 13 outings. They defeated Michigan State on Tuesday.

6.) Michigan State Spartans: Michigan State (17-6) is ranked No. 25 nationally in the BPI. The Spartans have six losses but are still sitting at No. 17 in the AP Top 25 poll. They’ve lost back-to-back games to Rutgers and Wisconsin.

7.) Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana (16-7) is ranked No. 33 nationally in the BPI. The Hoosiers have fallen out of the AP Top 25 with three losses in their past five games – most recently a 59-51 setback against Northwestern on Tuesday.

8.) Michigan Wolverines: Michigan (12-9) is ranked No. 36 nationally in the BPI. The Wolverines have had their fair share of struggles this season with nine losses, but are still in the top-50 in ESPN’s BPI. Michigan hosts Purdue on Thursday in Ann Arbor.

9.) Northwestern Wildcats: Northwestern (12-10) is ranked No. 59 nationally in the BPI. The Wildcats are currently sitting at No. 10 in the Big Ten standings, but they’ve reeled off three straight wins over Rutgers, Nebraska and Indiana.

10.) Maryland Terrapins: Maryland (11-12) is ranked No. 81 nationally in the BPI. The Terrapins are 12th in the league standings and have lost three straight – with the most recent coming against Ohio State on Sunday.

11.) Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Rutgers (13-9) is ranked No. 84 nationally in the BPI. The Scarlet Knights have been up-and-down throughout the 2021-22 season but are coming off a big win over No. 13 ranked Michigan State.

12.) Penn State Nittany Lions: Penn State (9-11) is ranked No. 91 nationally in the BPI. Currently 11th in the Big Ten standings, the Nittany Lions have just nine wins on the season and have lost five of their last six.

13.) Minnesota Golden Gophers: Minnesota (11-9) is ranked No. 96 nationally in the BPI. The Golden Gophers are second-to-last in the league standings and have lost eight of their last nine.

14.) Nebraska Cornhuskers: Nebraska (6-17) is ranked No. 182 nationally in the BPI. The Cornhuskers haven’t been good – at all – this season, as they’re currently 6-17 overall and dead last in the Big Ten standings. They’ve lost 10 straight games.