With the Big Ten tournament just weeks away, teams in the conference are vying for seeding positions and hoping to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament. While Purdue holds a commanding lead in the regular season standings, the rest of the conference race is a jumbled mess.

One team that has struggled significantly is Michigan basketball. The Wolverines have suffered seven losses in their last eight games, with their lone victory during that stretch coming at home against Wisconsin on February 7th. The absence of point guard Dug McDaniel in road games has been a massive problem for coach Juwan Howard, as Michigan's average margin of defeat in away games without McDaniel is 21.4 points. The disappointing performance has led to discussions about whether it's time for Michigan to move on from Howard.

Another team facing disappointment is Ohio State. After a strong start to the season with a 12-2 overall record and a 2-1 start in conference play, the Buckeyes have stumbled, winning only two of their last 11 games. Despite snapping a six-game losing streak with a double-overtime win against Maryland, they suffered their 10th conference loss against Wisconsin. A second consecutive NCAA tournament miss would be disappointing for the Buckeye faithful.

Indiana finds itself in a difficult position due to poor roster construction and injuries. Xavier Johnson, a bet by the coaching staff, has been injured for most of the season and has not been effective when available. The Hoosiers' backcourt needs significant improvement in terms of shooting and playmaking. With four of their last seven games at Assembly Hall, Indiana will look to salvage their season.

Maryland, under coach Kevin Willard, has also struggled. After making the NCAA tournament last season and giving fans hope, the Terrapins have lost three consecutive games, including an embarrassing defeat against Rutgers. Their offensive struggles, ranking 14th in the conference in 3-point shooting and 13th in 2-point shooting, have hindered their performance. At best, they are predicted to be an NIT team.

Iowa, known for its strong offense under coach Fran McCaffery, continues to suffer from a mediocre defense. However, freshman Owen Freeman has been a bright spot for the Hawkeyes and is a strong contender for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Payton Sandfort has also gained attention for his shooting ability. The Nittany Lions, led by first-year coach Mike Rhoades, have shown promise with back-to-back road wins but experienced a setback against Northwestern on Sunday night.

Rutgers has managed to turn their season around with three consecutive victories, thanks in part to the addition of Jeremiah Williams in the backcourt. Williams' eligibility from a court order in New Jersey has been a boon for the Scarlet Knights, resulting in wins against Michigan, Maryland, and Wisconsin. Williams was even named Big Ten Player of the Week.

Minnesota, despite being a solid team, may face challenges in securing an NCAA tournament bid due to their weak non-conference schedule. Coach Ben Johnson's decision to schedule the worst non-conference slate in the country might not sit well with the tournament selection committee. However, with recent victories, including a win against Michigan State, the Gophers are positioning themselves for success in their remaining home games.

Lastly, the Nebraska Huskers have found success at home with a perfect 7-0 record in league play. However, their lackluster performance on the road, with zero wins, may hinder their chances of making it to the NCAA tournament.

As the Big Ten teams battle for position in the conference standings, the stakes continue to rise, with hopes of securing a coveted spot in the NCAA tournament.