1. Michigan State — Unbeaten to this point, but the schedule is about to get tougher.
2. Purdue — Throttled Michigan last Friday.
3. Michigan — Have to stay out of foul trouble if they want to win games against good competition.
4. Maryland — Huge 3-game win streak over Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
5. Illinois — 1-1 without Tomislav Ivisic in the lineup, but they probably want him back sooner rather than later.
6. Wisconsin — Feels like John Tonje and John Blackwell take turns running the show.
7. Ohio State — looked like a Sweet 16 team against Iowa.
8. Oregon — The cross-country road trip got the better of them against Minnesota.
9. UCLA — Aday Mara has been a revelation.
10. Indiana — What in tarnation was that final play against Maryland?
11. USC — Been better on the road than at home in conference play.
12. Rutgers — finally playing up to their potential.
13. Penn State — close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
14. Minnesota — surging.
15. Northwestern — failed to take advantage of playing Illinois and Rutgers not at full strength.
16. Iowa — Playing defense like a turnstile at the moment.
17. Nebraska — Like Tom Petty, they’re free-falling.
18. Washington — Might be favored in one game the rest of the way (home against Rutgers).