Iowa Basketball: Weekly Big Ten Power Rankings

8. Minnesota (13-4, 2-2)

This might be the first ranking that seems strange.  Minnesota is a solid team, but they are faced with a couple difficult obstacles right now.  Reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Reggie Lynch was suspended indefinitely and now starting small forward Amir Coffey is out for the forseeable future with a shoulder injury.  Minnesota was not a deep team to begin with and now that will be put to the test with those two key players out.

After a win over Illinois with team at full strength on Wednesday, the Gophers struggled in a home loss against Indiana in its first game without Lynch and Coffey.  Minnesota had aspirations of a Big Ten championship before the season now it looks like it will struggle to even make the NCAA Tournament.  Minnesota has a huge game on Wednesday at Northwestern because then it returns home to face 5th ranked Purdue on Saturday.