If you thought you had the Big Ten figured out back in November, I’ve got some bad news. This conference is currently a fever dream. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the league has a massive slate of games that could—honestly—flip the entire bracket upside down. We are watching a season where the traditional powers are getting punched in the mouth by teams like Nebraska, while the newcomers from the West Coast are finding out just how hard it is to win on a random Tuesday in Champaign or Columbus.
Big Ten Basketball Today's Scores and Results
The action started early today and hasn't let up. Here is what we are seeing across the board as the scores trickle in.
Minnesota vs. Illinois
The Gophers traveled to the State Farm Center to face an Illinois team that has been quietly suffocating opponents. The Illini came into this one 14-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference. They’ve been winning with a defense that basically doesn't let anyone breathe, holding teams to under 36% shooting over their last few outings. Minnesota, sitting at 10-7, is desperate for a signature win to stop a two-game skid, but winning in Champaign is a tall order this year.
UCLA vs. Ohio State
This is the one everyone circled. It’s a 1 p.m. ET tip on CBS with Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery on the call. UCLA (12-5) is trying to prove they belong in the upper echelon of their new home. Interestingly, this is only the second time UCLA has ever played in Columbus—the last time was 1968 when Lew Alcindor was roaming the paint. Ohio State is a 4.5-point favorite here, but they’ve been inconsistent, losing their last one and sitting at 3-3 in conference play.
Iowa vs. Indiana
Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall is usually a house of horrors for visitors, and today is no different. Both teams entered at 12-5. Indiana is trying to snap a two-game losing streak that has fans in Bloomington a little restless. Iowa, led by Bennett Stirtz, is looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Illinois. This is a classic mid-season "desperation" game for two teams that need to stay in the top half of the standings.
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Rutgers vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin is the story of the week. After stunning No. 2 Michigan 91-88 a few days ago, the Badgers are red hot. John Blackwell has been playing like an All-American, and they returned home to the Kohl Center today to host a Rutgers team that is 9-8 and struggling to find its identity.
Michigan vs. Oregon
The Wolverines (15-1) are on a "revenge tour" of sorts after losing their undefeated status to Wisconsin. They flew out to Eugene for a 4 p.m. ET tip against the Ducks. Oregon is 8-9 and has lost three straight. If Michigan wants to stay in the race for the regular-season title with Nebraska and Purdue, they cannot afford a letdown at Matthew Knight Arena.
Nebraska vs. Northwestern
Yes, you read that right. Nebraska is 17-0. They are the only undefeated team left in the conference and are currently 6-0 in Big Ten play. They are hosting a Northwestern squad that is 0-6 in the league. On paper, it's a blowout. In the Big Ten? Nothing is ever that simple.
The Nebraska Sensation: What is Happening in Lincoln?
Nobody predicted this. Nebraska is currently ranked No. 10 in the AP poll and is essentially the "Cinderella" that stayed at the ball. Fred Hoiberg has found a mix of veteran leadership and floor spacing that has made them a nightmare to guard. They aren't just winning; they are burying people. They recently dismantled Oregon and nipped Michigan State in a thriller.
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The most surprising part? Their defense. Traditionally, Hoiberg teams are all about the "Mayor" and high-octane offense. But this year, they are gritting out wins. At 17-0, they are in a dead heat with Purdue (16-1) for the top of the standings.
The New Look: UCLA and Oregon’s Growing Pains
The transition hasn't been seamless for the West Coast additions. While USC and UCLA have shown flashes—UCLA is 4-2 in the conference—the travel is clearly a factor.
- UCLA: They’ve been dominant at home (10-0) but have struggled on the road (2-2).
- Oregon: It’s been a rough start at 1-5 in the league. The physicality of Big Ten play seems to be wearing them down in the second half of games.
- USC: They are sitting at 3-3, right in the middle of the pack.
The "Big Ten travel" talk wasn't just media hype. Seeing teams fly across three time zones for a Thursday night game and then try to play again on Saturday is a logistical nightmare that is clearly impacting the box scores.
Why the NET Rankings are Lying to You
If you look at the NET rankings or KenPom, the Big Ten looks like the best conference in America. Michigan is No. 1 in several metrics, Purdue is in the top 5, and even 14-3 Illinois is hovering around the top 10.
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But metrics don't account for the "weirdness" of the Big Ten.
Wisconsin’s upset over Michigan is the perfect example. The Badgers were unranked, Michigan was No. 2 and undefeated. Wisconsin shot 45.5% from deep, hitting 15 triples on the road. That shouldn't happen according to the math, but in this league, the home-court advantage is worth about 8 to 10 points on any given night.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following the Big Ten this year, don't get married to the rankings. Here is what to actually watch for as we head toward March:
- Watch the Home/Road Splits: Teams like UCLA and Ohio State are significantly better at home. If you're looking at today's scores, notice how many "upsets" are actually just the home team playing to their potential.
- The Fatigue Factor: Watch for teams coming off a West Coast trip. Ohio State just got back from a trip out west; seeing how they handle UCLA today will tell us a lot about their conditioning.
- Nebraska is Legit: Stop waiting for the collapse. They have the depth to stay in the top four, which means they’ll likely get a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago.
- Free Throw Efficiency: In close games like the Wisconsin-Michigan thriller, the Badgers won because they hit their free throws down the stretch (Nick Boyd was 5-for-5). In a league this physical, the game is won at the charity stripe.
The Big Ten Tournament at the United Center is going to be a bloodbath. With 18 teams now in the mix, the early rounds will start on Tuesday, March 10. Between now and then, expect more chaos. If you're checking Big Ten basketball today's scores, remember that a 10-point lead in this league is never safe, and being ranked No. 2 doesn't mean a thing when you're playing in a hostile environment on a Saturday afternoon.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for Michigan and Indiana. Both teams are dealing with minor depth issues that could become major problems if they don't get healthy by February. For now, enjoy the ride—this is the most unpredictable the conference has been in a decade.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official Big Ten standings to see how today's results shifted the top four seeds.
- Review the KenPom "Strength of Schedule" for Nebraska to see if their undefeated run can actually last through February.
- Monitor the AP Top 25 poll on Monday to see how far Michigan falls and how high Wisconsin climbs.