• Michigan State has already chinched at least a share of the Big Ten championship and can win it outright Thursday at Iowa.
• This weekend’s games finalize seeding for the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis, which begins Wednesday.

Sometimes the Big Ten power rankings and the actual standings diverge, and sometimes wins and losses don’t lie. 

Back on Feb. 11, MIchigan State lost at home to Indiana for its third loss in four games. It could have been the beginning of a rough close to the season. Its next five games came against teams in the top half the standings, at worst. 

How did the Spartans respond to that challenge? They beat Illinois, Purdue, Michigan, Maryland and Wisconsin in order to clinch at least a share of their first Big Ten championship in five years. 

Michigan State can wrap up the outright championship tonight at Iowa. After the Spartans ran that gauntlet, there’s no denying them the top spot on this list. 

1. Michigan State (24-5, 15-3) 

Prev: 1 

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Might end up winning this league by three games without a first-team All-Big Ten player. 

2. Wisconsin (23-7, 13-6) 

Prev: 2 

Greg Gard made the Big Ten’s best portal pickup (John Tonje) and then did a darn fine job coaching his team all season. 

3. Maryland (23-7, 13-6) 

Prev: 4 

Would like to call the Terrapins a dark horse Big Ten tourney champion pick, but they might end up a high as the 2 seed. 

4. Purdue (21-9, 13-6) 

Prev: 5 

Bench shooters are all warming up at the same time, which might be crucial for getting hot in the postseason. 

5. Michigan (22-8, 14-5) 

Prev: 3 

Wolverines seem to be wearing down a bit at the worst possible time. Now can’t even play spoiler against Spartans on Sunday. 

6. UCLA (21-9, 12-7) 

Prev: 6 

Will finally winning games outside of In-N-Out Burger’s operating region make Mick Cronin a more attractive candidate for IU? 

Indiana coaching search: Why these 5 coaches could restore Indiana basketball to national prominence

7. Illinois (19-11, 11-8) 

Prev: 8 

Some 1 or 2 seed is going to have a first-weekend date with the Illini they may not enjoy. 

8. Oregon (22-8, 11-8) 

Prev: 7 

Nate Bittle has picked things back up, and the Ducks again look like a tough March Madness out. 

9. Ohio State (17-13, 9-10) 

Prev: 9 

Has essentially already been playing NCAA tournament games for a week. So far so good. 

10. Indiana (18-12, 9-10) 

Prev: 10 

When people talked about the Hoosiers finishing the regular season in the top 10 back in November, they weren’t talking about this list. 

11. Northwestern (16-14, 7-12) 

Prev: 12 

Between playing football games in a bounce house to a basketball season undermined by injury, here’s wishing the Wildcats better in 2025. 

12. Nebraska (17-13, 7-12) 

Prev: 11 

That popping sound you heard Tuesday night wasn’t corn, it was the Cornhuskers’ NCAA tournament bubble chances. 

13. USC (14-15, 6-12) 

Prev: 13 

Nothing like a home game against Washington to cure a five-game losing streak. 

14. Penn State (15-15, 5-14) 

Prev: 16 

Of those 14 losses, eight are by five or fewer points. But where do the Nittany Lions go without Ace Baldwin next season?

15. Rutgers (14-16, 7-12) 

Prev: 14 

Appeared to be trying to guard Purdue telepathically on Tuesday night. 

16. Minnesota (15-15, 7-12) 

Prev: 17 

Has emerged as a sneaky road warrior, winning four straight away from The Barn as it heads to Rutgers on Sunday. 

17. Iowa (15-14, 6-12) 

Prev: 15 

As Tom Izzo celebrates his 11th Big Ten championship, will Fran McCaffery get another chance to earn his first? 

18. Washington (13-16, 4-14) 

Prev: 18 

Can’t finish higher than tied for last in the league. How did this team beat Maryland?