B1G shake-up: Ohio State blown out by Illinois

Jan 5, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Brandon Paul (3) makes a three pointer over Ohio State Buckeyes forward Sam Thompson (12) during the second half at Assembly Hall. Illinois defeated Ohio State 74-55. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

After losing to a mediocre Purdue squad to open the Big Ten season, No. 11 Illinois blew out No. 8 Ohio State Saturday, 74-55. Both teams now have one win and one loss in conference play.

The Fighting Illini win is good news for Minnesota — if the Gophers continue to play up to expectation and win against Northwestern on Sunday, come Monday, No. 9 Minnesota should be ranked higher than Ohio State.

Even more importantly, there will be more distance between the top tier teams in the conference (Indiana, Michigan) and seemingly the second tier (Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State).

Minnesota will have a chance to show that they below in the top tier with the Hoosiers and Wolverines in the next four games which include Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

Michigan and Indiana are currently ranked No. 2 and No. 5 in the nation, respectively.