Minnesota, Nebraska rise in USA TODAY Sports Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings

Conference play is in full swing for Big Ten women’s basketball, with elite matchups on the docket all throughout each week.

Minnesota and Nebraska are on the rise, and the teams at the top haven’t missed a beat.

Here are the latest USA TODAY Sports Network Big Ten women’s basketball power rankings. Rankings are reflective of games through Jan. 8.

1. UCLA (16-0)

Previously: No. 1

What to know: The Bruins keep rolling right along, having snagged road wins at Indiana and Purdue. UCLA won’t face another nationally ranked team until Jan. 26.

2. USC (15-1)

Previously: No. 2

What to know: The Trojans completed a successful East Coast swing with road wins over Rutgers and Maryland. USC doesn’t have another ranked matchup as of now until Feb. 2.

3. Ohio State (15-0)

Previously: No. 4

What to know: Wednesday’s big road win at Michigan adds significant substance to Ohio State’s hot start. The Buckeyes don’t have another ranked matchup until Jan. 23.

4. Maryland (14-1)

Previously: No. 3

What to know: Wednesday’s home loss to USC was offset some by wins over Rutgers and Iowa since the last rankings. A daunting stretch is upcoming, though, with Maryland set to face three top-10 teams between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26.

5. Minnesota (16-1)

Previously: No. 8

What to know: There are still strength-of-schedule questions, especially considering Minnesota dropped its only ranked matchup so far. But the Golden Gophers continue ripping off wins to balance things out. A Tuesday trek to Maryland will put Minnesota under the microscope.

6. Michigan State (12-3)

Previously: No. 5

What to know: Wednesday’s road loss at Nebraska marked Michigan State’s third loss in its last four games. The Spartans will look to get back on track Sunday versus Washington.

7. Iowa (12-3)

Previously: No. 6

What to know: The home stumble against Maryland was a disappointing one, especially considering many foes don’t escape Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a victory. Looking at current rankings, the Hawkeyes won’t face another top-25 team until Feb. 2. Iowa needs to stack wins until then.

8. Nebraska (12-4)

Previously: No. 10

What to know: The Cornhuskers needed their 2-0 showing since the last poll, after dropping three straight ranked matchups in a 10-day span. Road trips to Rutgers and Iowa are upcoming.

9. Indiana (11-4)

Previously: No. 7

What to know: The Hoosiers gave it a whirl against No. 1 UCLA, but Indiana couldn’t pull out the home upset last weekend. After winning at Northwestern on Wednesday, the Hoosiers have a tricky trip to Iowa on Sunday.

10. Michigan (10-5)

Previously: No. 9

What to know: The Wolverines have suddenly dropped three straight after Wednesday’s upset bid at Ohio State fell short. Michigan has a favorable matchup Saturday at Purdue to get back on schedule.

11. Washington (12-4)

Previously: No. 11

What to know: The Huskies have won five straight but are currently set to face four ranked teams in their next six games.

12. Illinois (11-4)

Previously: No. 12

What to know: The Fighting Illini need some positive momentum after consecutive losses to Washington and Minnesota.

13. Oregon (11-4)

Previously: No. 13

What to know: An upcoming East Coast road swing offers Oregon a chance to climb in the coming days.

14. Wisconsin (10-6)

Previously: No. 14

What to know: Wisconsin is on a four-game losing streak after its West Coast trip to Oregon and Washington produced two losses. Things don’t get any easier with upcoming games against Maryland and Ohio State.

15. Penn State (9-6)

Previously: No. 15

What to know: Already on a four-game losing streak, the path gets even tougher for Penn State with road trips to USC and UCLA lurking.

16. Rutgers (8-8)

Previously: No. 16

What to know: The Scarlet Knights will host Nebraska on Sunday, trying to snap a four-game losing streak.

17. Purdue (7-8)

Previously: No. 17

What to know: Purdue enters Saturday’s game against Michigan on a three-game losing streak.

18. Northwestern (7-9)

Previously: No. 18

What to know: Northwestern will enter its West Coast swing to UCLA and USC on a four-game losing streak.

Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.