Ranking each Big Ten basketball team as conference play begins

10. Iowa

The usually formidable Hawkeyes are having a bit of a rough start to the season, heading into conference play with an 8-6 record. However, most of the team’s losses have come to quality Quad 1 opponents, with the biggest blemish on their resume coming in a 90-65 loss to Iowa State on the road in early December.

While Iowa doesn’t have a Big Ten win yet, losing to both Michigan and Purdue in December, they have a chance to build up their reputation early in conference play with games against Rutgers and Nebraska to open the slate. The Hawkeyes will have to put together a couple of Quad 1 wins in Big Ten play if they hope to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year.