Big Ten Power Rankings: Where Does Illinois Stand as Regular Season Winds Down?

With the Big Ten tournament around the corner, a look at the top five teams in the conference.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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With less than a week until the Big Ten Tournament tips off, the postseason is nearly upon us. But contrary to popular belief, the league standings rarely reflect the actual order of clubs in the conference at any given moment. This article provides an updated Big Ten power rankings of the top five teams in the league.

Why it matters

As the regular season winds down, these power rankings provide insight into which Big Ten teams are positioned for success in the upcoming conference tournament and potentially the NCAA Tournament.

The details

The top five teams in the Big Ten power rankings are: 1) Michigan, 2) Michigan State, 3) Illinois, 4) Purdue, and 5) Nebraska. The article breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each team, highlighting key players and recent performances.

  • The Big Ten tournament tips off in less than a week.
  • Michigan State is set to face Michigan this weekend.

The players

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Braden Smith

The premier lead guard for the Purdue Boilermakers.

Jeremy Fears Jr.

The point guard for the Michigan State Spartans who leads the nation in assists per game.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara

The three best players in college basketball, according to the article, who play for the Michigan Wolverines.

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What they’re saying

“Defensively, Dusty May very well may have the three best players in college basketball (Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara).”

— Dusty May, Head Coach (si.com)

What’s next

This weekend, Michigan State is set to face Michigan in a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top teams in the Big Ten.

The takeaway

As the Big Ten regular season winds down, the power dynamics within the conference remain fluid, with several teams jockeying for position heading into the postseason. The upcoming conference tournament and NCAA Tournament will provide a clearer picture of which Big Ten teams are truly the elite of the league.