The latest AP Top 25 Poll has a trio of Big Ten teams on the rise, while two others fall back in the standings.
Climbing after a tough loss for No. 4 Missouri Tigers (19-2), the Ohio St. Buckeyes (19-3) hit the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll from their previous No. 4 standing. The Buckeyes, who only lost once all month, face their biggest challenge of the season in the first two weeks of February, facing the No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers (17-5) on Saturday, Feb. 4, and then facing the No. 9 Michigan St. Spartans (17-4) the following week.
Both the Badgers and Spartans eased up in the standing this week also, as the Spartans moved up one slot from No. 10 to 9, while the Badgers jumped from No. 25 to 19 after pushing their win streak to five-straight.
The Illinois Fighting Illini (15-6), however, join the No. 23 Michigan Wolverines (16-6) as one of the two Big Ten teams to fall this week, as the Wolverines drop three slots from No. 20, while the Fighting Illini -- losers of three straight -- received a single vote, their lowest total of the season.
For more from around the world of college hoops, check out SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.