Ohio State Basketball: Week 12 Big Ten power rankings

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes gives instructions to his team against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the United Center on December 05, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 77-67. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: Ryan Greer #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats during game action against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Northwestern never usually makes enough noise nationally to make the NCAA Tournament. But as Big Ten teams know, the Wildcats like to be a thorn in the side of those bidding to get into the Big Dance.

Northwestern started off week 12 with a win over an Indiana team that has now lost six straight, but couldn’t be a thorn in the side of a Wisconsin team that is playing very well now. Chris Collin’s squad won’t make the Big Dance this year, but if they can string a couple of wins together, they might be able to have a shot at the NIT.

Nebraska showed so much promise in the non-conference but so far the Big Ten has proven to be too much for the Cornhuskers to handle. They started off week 12 with a road loss to Rutgers and then following that up with a loss to Ohio State to end the Buckeye’s losing streak.

At this point, it seems that much of the hope that Nebraska could make the NCAA Tournament is lost.

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