The Big 10 is well represented in both the AP Top 25 and the ESPN/USA Today Coach's Top 25 polls. But the Minnesota Golden Gophers still remain off the ranking radar.
Not only did the 11-1 Golden Gophers fail to make the Top 25 once again, they also did not receive a single vote from any of the 64 AP voters in the or 31 ESPN/USA Today voters. Minnesota played just one game in the past week since the polls were released -- a 76-56 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas on Dec. 13, the team's fifth straight victory since losing star forward Trevor Mbakwe for the season with a torn ACL.
However, six Big 10 teams made both polls. In the AP, it was the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers, No. 19 Michigan State Spartans, No. 20 Michigan Wolverines and No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini. The Northwestern Wildcats also received votes in both polls.
The Golden Gophers have not played a road game all season, but after hosting the North Dakota St. Bison on Dec. 22, they open the conference portion of their schedule with road games at Illinois and Michigan, on Dec. 27 and Jan. 1 respectively.