Big Ten Women’s Basketball Standings Update: February 7th

Maryland beat Iowa to stay on top of the conference but Northwestern and Iowa are still within striking distance with just one slip up by the Terrapins. Ohio State and Indiana have a huge showdown with the winner taking over 4th place in the Big Ten and securing a double-bye in the conference tournament.

Here are the standings as of February 7th:

Maryland (21-4, 12-2 Big Ten) Maryland got a couple of big wins against Rutgers and Iowa who they were tied with at the top of the Big Ten. They have two straight trap games against Penn State and Wisconsin after arguably their biggest win of the season. Next three opponents: @ Penn State 2/16, @ Wisconsin 2/19, vs. Purdue 2/25.

Northwestern (21-3, 11-2 Big Ten) The Wildcats beat both Big Ten teams from Michigan this week to keep pace behind Maryland and are just a .5 back from first place. Northwestern has three straight games against some struggling teams. Next three opponents: Nebraska 2/16, vs. Rutgers 2/19, @ Wisconsin 2/22.

Iowa (20-5, 11-3 Big Ten) After beating Purdue, Iowa got blown out by Maryland and with a win in that game would have been alone in first place, but now they are in third place with just 4 games to go in the regular season. Next three opponents: vs. Wisconsin 2/16, vs. Penn State 2/22, vs. Minnesota 2/27

Indiana (20-6, 10-4 Big Ten) The Hoosiers narrowing escaped two bad losses against Nebraska and Illinois this past week and will need to play a whole lot better to stay as a top 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Next three opponents: vs. Ohio State 2/16, @ Minnesota 2/22, vs. Nebraska 2/27.

Ohio State (15-9, 8-5 Big Ten) Ohio State is riding a 4 game winning streak in their mid season surge to place themselves 5th in the conference ahead of the 4th place team, Indiana. Next three opponents: @ Indiana 2/16, vs. Nebraska 2/19, @ Rutgers 2/22.

Rutgers (17-7, 7-6 Big Ten) Rutgers is in the midst of a two game skid with losses against Maryland and Michigan State and have two tough games against Ohio State and Northwestern coming up. Next three opponents: vs. Michigan 2/16, @ Northwestern 2/19, vs. Ohio State 2/22.

Michigan (16-8, 7-6 Big Ten) The Wolverines split their last two against Minnesota and Northwestern but have turned their season around a bit with two games against a couple of reeling teams in Rutgers and Illinois. Next three opponents: @ Rutgers 2/16, vs. Illinois 2/19, @ Michigan State 2/23.

Purdue (16-10, 7-7 Big Ten) The Boilers lost a tough game at home against Iowa before bouncing back with a win over Wisconsin without leading scorer Karissa McLaughlin. It is very important that Purdue wins their next two against Illinois and Michigan State if they want to be safe for the NCAA Tournament. Next three opponents: @ Illinois 2/16, vs. Michigan State 2/20, @ Maryland 2/25.

Nebraska (16-9, 6-8 Big Ten) The Cornhuskers snapped a three game losing streak after beating Penn State at home. They have a big opportunity against Northwestern up next. Next three opponents: @ Northwestern 2/16, @ Ohio State 2/19, vs. Illinois 2/22.

Michigan State (12-12, 5-8 Big Ten) The Spartans ended a 5 game skid with a win over Rutgers, but their next three come against teams that are all ahead of them in the Big Ten standings. Next three opponents: vs. Minnesota 2/17, @ Purdue 2/20, vs. Michigan 2/23.

Minnesota (15-10, 5-9 Big Ten) Minnesota seemed to have turned a corner after an early struggle in Big Ten play but have now lost back-to-back games. After a date with Michigan State, they play 3 of the top 4 teams in the conference. Next three opponents: @ Michigan State 2/17, vs. Indiana 2/22, @ Iowa 2/27.

Wisconsin (11-14, 3-11 Big Ten) Wisconsin continues their struggles with a loss against Ohio State and dropped a game at home against a short handed Purdue squad. Their upcoming schedule is rough to end the season too. Next three opponents: @ Iowa 2/16, vs. Maryland 2/19, vs. Northwestern 2/22.

Illinois (11-13, 2-11 Big Ten) Illinois got back in the win column with a close win against last place Penn State but don’t expect another W for Illinois the rest of the season. Next three opponents: vs. Purdue 2/16, @ Michigan 2/19, @ Nebraska 2/22

Penn State (7-18, 1-13 Big Ten) They are still bad. No shocker here. Next three opponents: vs. Maryland 2/16, @ Iowa 2/22, vs. Michigan 2/27.