Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings: Week of Jan. 28

1. Michigan State (18-3, 9-1) – It’s even across the board with Michigan except in efficiency numbers, where the Spartans get the edge, allowing them to remain in the top spot. While the loss to Purdue on Sunday had something to do with it being the end of a tough road, it was still a poor first half. However, that doesn’t change the wins over Maryland and Iowa earlier in the week as MSU now gets a few days off before hosting Indiana on Saturday. Last week: 1

2. Michigan (19-1, 8-1) – By the end of the week, the Wolverines had bounced back just fine from their first loss of the season, though it didn’t come easily early in the week at home vs. Minnesota. A last-second shot kept the Wolverines from a possible upset before they hit the road and demoralized Indiana. A big week is on tap with a visit from Ohio State followed by a trip to Iowa. Last week: 2.

3. Purdue (14-6, 7-2) – The Boilermakers have now won eight of nine and on Sunday avenged the only loss by getting up big on Michigan State before holding off a furious rally. The Boilermakers are busy proving all the analytics right by creeping near the top of the standings, where they’ll likely stay this week with games against Penn State and Minnesota. Last week: 4.

4. Wisconsin (14-6, 6-3) – The victory over Michigan last week might have kickstarted the Badgers, who have now won three straight after cruising past Illinois and Northwestern as big man Ethan Happ recorded a triple-double in the win over Northwestern. They’ll head to Nebraska this week and cap things off at home vs. Maryland to try and keep pace with the conference leaders. Last week: 6.

5. Maryland (16-5, 7-3) – Everything was going well for the young Terrapins entering the week as they had won seven straight. But life in the Big Ten caught up with the Terps as they went on the road and got handled by first-place Michigan State before losing to Illinois in New York. It was the sort of inconsistency that exists with young teams, something the Terps will need to turn around this week against Northwestern and at Wisconsin. Last week: 3.

6. Minnesota (15-5, 5-4) – The Golden Gophers were just seconds away from possibly having a three-game winning streak. It turns out, the only loss in the last three games was at the buzzer at Michigan, something the Gophers bounced back from by outscoring Iowa on Sunday night. The Gophers will have a chance to keep rolling early in the week vs. Illinois before a stiff test on Sunday at Purdue. Last week: 8.

7. Iowa (16-5, 5-5) – A tough week for the Hawkeyes saw a five-game winning streak come to an end. First, they gave up a lead at home to Michigan State, then went on the road and lost a high-scoring game at Minnesota. Only one game is up this week as the Hawkeyes seek consistency, and that will be tough as first-place Michigan comes to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday. Last week: 5.

8. Ohio State (13-6, 3-5) – The Buckeyes were spiraling out of control after Purdue handed them their fifth straight loss. But they responded with a big road win at Nebraska to start to right the ship. They’ll get a chance to see how much things have turned around when they head to Michigan this week with a chance to climb back into the top half of the standings, followed by a home game with Rutgers. Last week: 9.

9. Nebraska (13-7, 3-6) – The Cornhuskers missed a huge opportunity last week at home by losing to Michigan State and followed that up this week by losing twice, at Rutgers and at home to Ohio State, while also losing forward Isaac Copeland for the season to a knee injury. A season that once held plenty of promise is starting to crumble as the Huskers host Wisconsin this week before traveling to Illinois. Last week: 7.

10. Rutgers (10-9, 3-6) – Don’t look now, but the Scarlet Knights are continuing to claw their way out of the conference basement thanks to back-to-back wins this week over Nebraska and Penn State, the first time they’ve won consecutive Big Ten games. A home game with slumping Indiana is next, something that could provide the Scarlet Knights with momentum headed to a rematch with Ohio State. Last week: 12.

11. Northwestern (12-8, 3-6) – The Wildcats’ inconsistent season continues as they were unable to build off two straight wins by going to Wisconsin and failing to put together any offense in a double-digit loss. The season is hardly lost, but the Cats will need to turn things around quickly, beginning with finding a way to score some points on a trip to Maryland. Last week: 11.

12. Indiana (12-8, 3-6) – Things continue to fall apart for the Hoosiers, who at one time were ranked and unbeaten in the Big Ten. They’ve now lost six straight, the latest an ugly home loss to Michigan where they were down 17 before scoring a point. This week could continue the misery as Indiana heads to Rutgers, which has won two straight, and Michigan State, the only unbeaten team remaining in the conference. Last week: 10.

13. Illinois (6-14, 2-7) – The Fighting Illini aren’t about the push the leaders in the conference race, but they are proving to be a tough out on certain nights. After earlier trouncing Minnesota, the Illini went to New York and beat No. 13 Maryland. The upset train could continue this week as a young Illinois team heads to Minnesota before hosting Nebraska, two teams struggling to find consistency. Last week: 13.