It seems like Michigan State is continuing to find ways to infuriate the fanbase.
The Spartans were a minute away from clinching a big-time road victory at Iowa on Saturday and capping off an incredible week of basketball. However, a historic collapse by the Spartans resulted in a foul taste in the mouths of for everyone supporting the green-and-white.
So where do the Spartans land after yet another up-and-down week? See where Michigan State and the rest of the Big Ten teams land in our latest batch of power rankings:
14
Minnesota
Record: 7-20 (1-16 in Big Ten)
Minnesota continues to struggle with three more losses this week to extend their losing streak to 12 games. The Golden Gophers finish with home games against Rutgers and Wisconsin this next week so there’s a very strong chance they’ll end the regular season with only one conference win.
13
Ohio State
Record: 12-17 (4-14 in Big Ten)
Ohio State’s lengthy losing streak has finally come to an end. The Buckeyes were able to knock off Illinois at home on Sunday to snap a nine-game losing streak. Could this win jump-start a late-season surge for the Buckeyes?
12
Wisconsin
Record: 16-12 (8-10 in Big Ten)
Like Michigan State fans, Wisconsin fans have to be sick right now. The Badgers had a massive road win over Michigan in their hands but a last-second three-pointer from the Wolverines forced overtime and eventually stole that win. Wisconsin needed this victory to help secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament and now will need an even stronger finish to the regular season to find themselves dancing.
11
Penn State
Record: 17-12 (8-10 in Big Ten)
Penn State’s bubble may have just burst on Sunday evening. The Nittany Lions let a double-digit lead slip away in the second half against Rutgers and dropped a game they simply had to have. Penn State isn’t dead in the water just yet but now needs to end the regular season with two straight wins this week.
10
Rutgers
Record: 18-11 (10-8 in Big Ten)
Rutgers has been slipping but was able to come up big in the second half against Penn State in a comeback victory on Sunday. That win over the Nittany Lions may have just locked up a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the Scarlet Knights.
9
Nebraska
Record: 15-14 (8-10 in Big Ten)
Nebraska remained hot this week, picking up a win in their lone game against Minnesota. The Cornhuskers have won four straight games and five of their last six and will have another great opportunity to continue their momentum against the Spartans on Tuesday.
8
Illinois
Record: 19-10 (10-8 in Big Ten)
Illinois continues to remain as inconsistent as the Spartans. The Fighting Illini picked up a big-time victory over rival Northwestern on Thursday but followed that up with a loss at Ohio State on Sunday. Illinois has a high ceiling but remains too inconsistent to trust in March.
7
Iowa
Record: 18-11 (10-8 in Big Ten)
Iowa needed a miracle to overcome a double-digit deficit in the final minute against Michigan State and they got it. That come-from-behind win should lockup a bid in the NCAA Tournament for the Hawkeyes and keeps them alive for a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
6
Michigan State
Record: 17-11 (9-8 in Big Ten)
Michigan State was so close to putting together an incredible week, but a historic collapse in the final minute against Iowa ruined that. The Spartans’ win over Indiana earlier in the week was still impressive and overall it was a good week for Michigan State who looks to be a near lock for the NCAA Tournament now.
5
Northwestern
Record: 20-9 (11-7 in Big Ten)
Northwestern came up short in a pair of tough road tests this week at Illinois and Maryland. The loss to the Fighting Illini especially stung after blowing a double-digit lead but overall Northwestern is still in great position to reach their second-ever NCAA Tournament.
4
Michigan
Record: 17-12 (11-7 in Big Ten)
Michigan needed a pair of wins this week to help bolster their NCAA Tournament resume and they got exactly that. The Wolverines first picked up a road victory over Rutgers and followed that up with a comeback victory over Wisconsin on Sunday. Michigan is getting hot at the right time and could very well play their way back into the NCAA Tournament.
3
Maryland
Record: 20-9 (11-7 in Big Ten)
Maryland continues to keep rolling with yet another strong week on the floor. The Terps have won eight of their last 10 games, and notably beat Northwestern on Sunday to move into second place in the Big Ten standings.
2
Purdue
Record: 24-5 (13-5 in Big Ten)
For the first time this year, Purdue is no longer the top team in our power rankings. The Boilermakers have lost four of their last six games, which included a loss on Saturday night to rival Indiana at home. Purdue is still in position to win the sole share of the league but they clearly are no longer the same dominant team we saw for most of this year.
1
Indiana
Record: 20-9 (11-7 in Big Ten)
Indiana completed the season series sweep of rival Purdue on Saturday evening, which is why the Hoosiers have taken over our top spot. Overall, Indiana has played extremely well down the stretch and appear as the team most likely to go on a deep run in the NCAA Tournament next month.
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