Big Ten Power Rankings: Illini, Spartans and Wolverines Control Their Destiny
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026-27 college basketball season is here, and the Big Ten Conference is hungry to repeat as national champions. The conference as a whole had an impressive run last season, with Michigan winning it all and Illinois also reaching the Final Four. The league once again has some horses ready to stake a claim in 2026-27. The Illini, Wolverines, and Michigan State Spartans have the rosters not only to compete for the Big Ten Title, but also to compete on the national stage.
Visit afnews.co.za for more information.
With the bulk of the Big Ten kicking off the season on Monday night, it’s time to take a look at the Big Ten Power Rankings to begin opening week.
Big Ten Power Rankings: Illini, Spartans, and Wolverines Control Their Destiny
1. Illinois Fighting Illini
The preseason favorite to win the Big Ten in 2026-27. Illinois returns most of its core from last season’s Final Four. Replacing Keaton Wagler was tough, but new faces like transfer Stefan Vaaks, alongside another gem of a freshman, Quentin Coleman, are in place. Head Coach Brad Underwood looks like he’s done it again in recruiting.
2. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State’s Jordan Scott shoots against UConn during the first half on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Mandatory Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesPreseason Big Ten Player of the Year Jeremy Fears Jr. leads the Spartans. However, MSU needs some others to step up, especially in the frontcourt. Freshman Jasiah Jervis looks like a pure scorer. Sophomore guard/ forward Jordan Scott looks ready for a massive breakout season. Michigan State is certainly a contender alongside the Illini.
3. Michigan Wolverines
The defending national champions face plenty of challenges ahead. Having the same backcourt as last season is massive, but they had to replace not only three lottery picks in the post. They have a new head coach in Mike Boynton Jr. They have the talent to compete once again, but will Moustapha Thiam and J.P. Estrella fill the void? It doesn’t look like they have a Yaxel Lendeborg-type player this year.
4. UCLA Bruins
Is this the year the Bruins break through in the Big Ten? It sure seems like they could. They have plenty of experience in the backcourt, especially with Eric Dailey Jr. and Trent Perry. Filip Jovic and freshman forward Nikola Kusturica will be fun to watch this year. The question remains: can coach Mick Cronin trust his own guys?
5. USC Trojans
Mar 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) shoots the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the second half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesA team with a lot of upside is USC. They are ranked to start the season, and for good reason, with all the talent. A healthy Alijah Arenas will only help this group make a big jump in 2025-26. They may be young, but having five experienced seniors, including Rodney Rice, must be comforting.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Can the Cornhuskers replicate their 2025-26 run to the Sweet 16? It’s tough to say right now. They do have three of the best shooters in the Big Ten. Pryce Sandfort could easily lead the conference in scoring this season.
7. Purdue Boilermakers
The Braden Smith Era is over. A step back for Purdue sure seems likely in 2026-27. Thus, they begin the season in this spot in the Power Rankings. Is Caden Pierce ready to deliver at the Big Ten level? Will Daniel Jacobsen finally feel comfortable?
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
The guards will be key for the Buckeyes if they want to go dancing for the second year in a row. They aren’t a Big Ten Championship contender. This group is pretty deep. Especially on the wing. Anthony Thompson could end up being Ohio State’s best player overall.
9. Indiana Hoosiers
By far, the team that did the most transfer work in the offseason. Indiana needed it. Sure, they are pretty low, but with confidence, this is the biggest darkhorse team in the Big Ten for 2026-27.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
Last season’s biggest surprise was Iowa. The Hawkeyes reached the Elite 8 for the first time since 1987. That was in the first year under Coach Ben McCollum. Certainly wonder what he has in store for his second act.
11. Wisconsin Badgers
Greg Gard’s Badgers always find a way to outperform expectations. It’s simple for a team that has to replace its top two scorers. Nolan Winter is going to be a force in the post. Who is going to be his running mate?
12. Maryland Terrapins
Things are looking up for Coach Buzz Williams’ team. They finished second-to-last in 2025-26 in the Big Ten. They certainly have the right pieces to compete right away. Baba Oladotun is a name to keep an eye on all season.
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Gophers could make a big jump if Cade Tyson, the star scorer from a season ago, gets his eligibility straightened out. Tyson averaged nearly 20 points per game in 2025-26. He’s still stuck in court limbo. For now, Minnesota has to operate without him. Thus, they start the season 13th in the Big Ten Power Rankings.
14. Oregon Ducks
Oregon forward Tajh Ariza, left, presses past Seattle forward Will Heimbrodt as the Oregon Ducks host the Seattle University Redhawks on Oct. 15, 2026, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesIs this even the same Oregon anymore? Coach Dana Altman retired less than a month ago. Tajh Ariza is a nice freshman, and having transfers like Dwayne Aristode and Jerry Easter II looks good on paper. The team dealt with a rash of injuries last season. Can Tony Stubblefield get anything out of this team?
15. Washington Huskies
The portal has been Washington’s biggest tool thus far under Danny Sprinkle. Even with talented guys coming in, they haven’t taken that next step. 16 wins a year ago, but most of that group is gone. Sitting at 15 in the Big Ten Power Rankings to start the season is much lower than how they started last season. However, this group could overachieve.
16. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is just trying to stay competitive in this tough 18-team league. They have beaten some of the top teams in recent memory. The Wildcats seem to have lost their tenacity. With Nick Martinelli now in the NBA, who do they turn to? Is freshman Jayden Hodge ready to be a feature star?
17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
A team that can easily jump up the power rankings with the heart they play with. Rutgers has plenty of outside distractions with coach Steve Pikiell fighting cancer. They finished 14th in the Big Ten in 2025-26, while losing eight players to the portal. A strong group of guards returns, plus adding Christian Gurdak from Virginia Tech was quite a move.
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
The bottom of the barrel is getting pretty low for Penn State. There isn’t much juice around this program, and with nine players gone from last season’s team, that isn’t helping the cause. Mike Rhoades’ seat is getting quite toasty.
Photo Credit: Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
More Basketball News
Big Ten Favorites Facing Early Concerns
2 New College Basketball Conferences Among 2026-27 Changes; Winners and Losers