Another week of Big Ten women’s basketball action, another week of riveting results that could carry weight all the way into March.
We’re past the halfway point of conference play, and as many as 13 teams feel like the NCAA Tournament is within reach. Here are the latest USA TODAY Sports Network Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings.
Rankings are reflective of games through Jan. 27.
1. UCLA (20-0)
Previously: No. 1
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What to know: The Bruins swept their East Coast swing with blowout wins at Rutgers and Maryland. UCLA is off until Sunday’s home game against Minnesota.
2. USC (18-1)
Previously: No. 2
What to know: After toppling Purdue last week, the Trojans will carry a 14-game winning streak into Thursday’s matchup against Minnesota before heading to Iowa on Sunday.
3. Ohio State (19-1)
Previously: No. 4
What to know: The Buckeyes shook off their puzzling Penn State loss and responded with strong wins over Maryland and Nebraska.
4. Maryland (16-4)
Previously: No. 3
What to know: The Terrapins are suddenly on a three-game losing streak after falling to Ohio State and UCLA in a four-day span. Maryland will look to get right Wednesday at Penn State.
5. Michigan State (17-3)
Previously: No. 5
What to know: After throttling Michigan with an impressive 30-point road win, Michigan State will carry a five-game winning streak into Thursday’s home game vs. Oregon.
6. Nebraska (15-5)
Previously: No. 6
What to know: Sunday’s loss to Ohio State snapped a five-game winning streak, but Nebraska can rebound with a road swing through the state of Indiana. The Cornhuskers play at Purdue on Thursday and at Indiana on Sunday.
7. Michigan (14-6)
Previously: No. 8
What to know: A week of extremes for the Wolverines. A nice road win at Minnesota followed by an ugly home loss to Michigan State has Michigan hovering around .500 in the league.
8. Minnesota (18-3)
Previously: No. 7
What to know: The record looks good, but there’s still substance missing on Minnesota’s resume. The Golden Gophers have dropped all three of their Big Ten games against ranked teams.
9. Illinois (15-5)
Previously: No. 9
What to know: The Fighting Illini got right with blowout wins over Northwestern and Purdue. Now comes an East Coast swing Thursday at Rutgers and Sunday at Maryland.
10. Oregon (15-5)
Previously: No. 11
What to know: There was barely 100 points scored in Oregon’s 54-47 win over Indiana on Friday. But they count all the same. Next up is a swing through the state of Michigan on Thursday and Sunday.
11. Indiana (13-7)
Previously: No. 18
What to know: The Hoosiers split their West Coast swing with a loss at Oregon and a win at Washington. Indiana is off until Sunday’s home showdown against Nebraska.
12. Iowa (13-7)
Previously: No. 13
What to know: The Hawkeyes ended their five-game losing streak with a convincing win at Washington. After Tuesday’s home game against Northwestern, Iowa should have momentum to carry into Sunday’s massive matchup versus USC.
13. Washington (13-8)
Previously: No. 12
What to know: The Huskies have dropped four of five after losing back-to-back home games to Iowa and Indiana.
14. Penn State (10-11)
Previously: No. 14
What to know: The Ohio State upset was short-lived after Penn State dropped games to Michigan State and Rutgers last week. Next up is Wednesday’s home game vs. Maryland.
15. Wisconsin (10-10)
Previously: No. 15
What to know: The Badgers will carry an eight-game losing streak into Wednesday’s home matchup against Michigan.
16. Rutgers (9-12)
Previously: No. 16
What to know: The Scarlet Knights ended their eight-game losing streak with Sunday’s road win at Penn State.
17. Purdue (7-13)
Previously: No. 17
What to know: The Boilermakers have dropped seven straight, and it doesn’t get any easier Thursday versus Nebraska.
18. Northwestern (7-11)
Previously: No. 18
What to know: When will Northwestern get its first Big Ten win? At this point, Feb. 9 vs. Penn State seems like the best bet.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
