DetroitSports.Today™

Detroit Sports News Continuously Updated

Big Ten Power Rankings: Spartans Reign Supreme

by

Michigan State senior Jaden Akins, left, hugs head coach Tom Izzo after the game against Michigan on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

The final Big Ten power rankings of the season are here as the Big Ten Tournament begins.  After a hard-fought regular season, all eyes will be on Indianapolis. The Conference certainly delivered some big-time games. 2024-2025 in the Big Ten will be remembered for all of the great players across all 18 teams. The league was so strong in the regular season that the discussion for most, if not all of the All-Conference honors had plenty of debate.

Not up for debate is how the final regular season Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings ended up. The Michigan State Spartans returned to vintage form as they rose to the top of the Big Ten for the first time in five years and even won the regular season outright by three whole games. The way they finished it off also proved that they are the top dog this year from the Big Ten. They will likely be the highest-seeded team in March Madness from the Big Ten.

Without further delay, here’s how the 18 teams stand now that the postseason is here.

Big Ten Power Rankings: Spartans Reign Supreme

18. Washington (13-18, 4-16)

What more could you have expected for the Huskies? A new coach, a new conference, and plenty of new players. While there were some good moments, the rough certainly outweighed them, as Washington finished last in the league. Plenty of room for growth heading into the 2025-26 season. Sure, a lot more was expected from Great Osobor , but he didn’t quite translate to the physical Big Ten. The Huskies certainly found their star of the future with freshman Zoom Diallo . The expectations weren’t high for this team, so to be last in the power rankings was earned.

17. Penn State (16-15, 6-14)

Despite some fight down the stretch by the Nittany Lions, they missed out on the Big Ten Tournament this year. That included a huge, shocking win against Top 25-ranked Wisconsin at the Kohl Center in Madison on Senior Day. Led by senior guard Ace Baldwin Jr , who won his second-straight Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award , Penn State certainly gave everyone their best shot all season.

16. Nebraska (17-14, 7-13)

A team that finds itself in the roughest of situations. Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers looked like an NCAA Tournament-caliber team throughout a lot of the season. Those hopes are all but dashed after they failed to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. Losing their final game against Iowa was crushing, especially with how well Brice Williams played all year. This year is one of those big what-ifs for Nebraska.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

15. Iowa (16-15, 7-13)

The Hawkeyes have seen it all this season. If Owen Freeman doesn’t get lost for the year, who knows? Iowa was statistically one of the best offensive teams in the Big Ten all year. Their big problem was at the defensive end. Somehow and someway, they find themselves in Indianapolis for the Conference tournament. The defense won’t get them far, but Payton Sandfort might have some March dramatics in him. You just never know.

14. USC (15-16, 7-13)

The Trojans are another one of the lucky teams to be in Indy, in my opinion. That home win against Michigan State and going to Illinois and winning look like their best moments of the year. Desmond Claude certainly showed he’s among the 30 best players in the Big Ten, at the least.

13. Minnesota (15-16, 7-13)

The biggest story in the Big Ten was being able to grind out wins in clutch moments to put themselves in the hunt for a berth in the Big Ten Tournament. Dawson Garcia once again showed his ability as an All-Big Ten player. The Gophers will have some decisions to make in the off-season especially with head coach Ben Johnson.

12. Northwestern (16-15, 7-13)

It was a season that felt like it was going to result in the Wildcats missing the Big Ten Tournament, especially with senior captain Brooks Barzhinzer’s career ending prematurely. Chris Collins’ Northwestern group showed toughness as they won some key games in late February to stay high enough in the Big Ten Standings to reach Indianapolis.

11. Rutgers (15-16, 8-12)

The dazzling freshman duo of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper didn’t exactly live up to their billing. The Scarlet Knights had to look to some others in many of their games to even reach the Big Ten Tournament. While this team didn’t do enough to be above 500 coming into the Big Ten Tournament, they could still make some noise, especially if Tyson Acuff can continue to make shots.

10. Ohio State (17-14, 9-11)

Bruce Thornton and the Buckeyes are squarely on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, so they can afford a one-and-done in the Big Ten Tourney. They were an NIT team last season, and they might just find themselves flirting with it once again this year. Dropping their final game against Indiana in the regular season might have bumped them out.

9. Indiana (19-12, 10-10)

The Hoosiers have picked up some huge resume wins down the stretch. Despite Coach Mike Woodson leaving after the season, he might have gotten his team to the big dance for the third time in his four seasons. Winning four of their last five games was huge. That included knocking off a then 13th-ranked Purdue at the end of February. The Hoosiers might be the sleeper in the Big Ten Tournament. I’ll also admit I probably have them too low in the Big Ten power rankings.

8. Oregon (22-8, 11-8)

Like Indiana, the Ducks are kind of a sleeper, especially as the 8-seed for the Big Ten Tournament. Both teams in the 8-9 matchup know that the Big Ten Champion Spartans await in Friday’s quarterfinal. Nate Bittle has showcased his consistency as of late for Oregon. That included a 36-point performance against Washington on the final day of the regular season.

7. Illinois (20-11, 12-8)

A red-hot Illini team is coming into the Big Ten Tournament. Brad Underwood might have his team right where he wants it. After plenty of trials and tribulations, Illinois comes into the postseason on a three-game winning streak. That included taking down both Michigan and Purdue to close it out. Will Riley proved why he was named the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year with clutch performances down the stretch. Mix that with Tomislav Ivisic finally being fully healthy.

6. Purdue (21-10, 13-7)

The Boilermakers ended the season with Big Ten’s best player, as Braden Smith was able to win Big Ten Player of the Year. That doesn’t mean the team is as good as it has been for the last several years. Finishing sixth in the conference after dominating the league the last two years is a big step back.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

5. Wisconsin (23-8, 13-7)

Who expected the Badgers to completely change their identity? I didn’t, but they have, and Greg Gard has Wisconsin back near the top of the Big Ten. Losing their senior day game to Penn State might have been a punch in the gut, but this team has the players, led by John Tonje , to make noise in March Madness.

4. UCLA (22-9, 13-7)

It was certainly a strong showing by UCLA in their first year of the Big Ten. They have been a little bit all over the Big Ten power rankings this season, but by the end of the regular season, it was clear they were among the top teams in the league. Despite some issues from Coach Mick Cronin with the way their schedule worked out, the Bruins finished it off nicely with wins in three of their final four games. That included a 90-63 thrashing of rival USC.

3. Michigan (22-9, 14-6)

The team that might be trending in the wrong direction by far is the Wolverines. They tied for second in the conference, but losing their last three games after being tied with rival MSU has to be frustrating. You can’t take away that Vladislav Goldin was elite this season for Michigan, and he was rewarded with 1st-team All-Big Ten honors; but outside of him, the turnovers and subpar guard play were their ultimate downfall. Now, all Coach Dusty May seems to want to talk about is what happened at the end of their final game with the Spartans. Whatever floats your boat, but they have great pieces, but not too many appear to be locked in. Best of luck in March.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

2. Maryland (24-7, 14-6)

It became clear that the Terrapins were the second-best team in the Big Ten this season. They also appear to have the talent to make noise in the big dance. Kevin Willard has one heck of a frontcourt as Julian Reese and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen can certainly win them a couple of games in the tournament. Maryland has a shot to win the Big Ten Tournament, in all honesty.

1. Michigan State (26-5, 17-3)

The Spartans might be on the run of a lifetime. Not only did they win the Big Ten, but they did it outright and by three whole games. That is an incredible feat. They did it with defense and freshman phenom Jase Richardson hitting another level—not to mention the fiery leadership of Tre Holloman . Michigan State is just different. They have depth, and they wear you out. Not to mention, they have Tom Izzo at the helm. This team earned its spot at the top of the Big Ten power rankings far and away. It will be exciting to see what they can do in the big dance.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

© Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The post Big Ten Power Rankings: Spartans Reign Supreme appeared first on Last Word On Basketball .