College Hoops Today

Serving College Basketball 365 Days a Year

Big Ten Offseason Breakdown

Summer time means a look ahead to next season!

Each week moving forward, we will preview one conference in college basketball from soup to nuts.

Check below for this week’s breakdown on the Big Ten.

Big Ten Offseason Breakdown

Big Ten Preseason Power Rankings
1. Purdue
Projected Starting 5:
G Eric Hunter Jr. 
G Jaden Ivey
G Sasha Stefanovic
F Mason Gillis
C Trevion Williams
Projected Bench: Isaiah Thompson, Zach Edey, Trey Kaufman, Caleb Furst, Ethan Morton, Brandon Newman
Newcomers: Trey Kaufman, Caleb Furst
Losses: Aaron Wheeler

2. Michigan
Projected Starting 5:
G Devante Jones
G Eli Brooks
F Caleb Houstan
F Brandon Johns
C Hunter Dickinson
Projected Bench: Jace Howard, Terrance Williams, Zeb Jackson, Adrian Nunez, Moussa Diabate, Frankie Collins, Isaiah Barnes, Will Tschetter, Kobe Bufkin
Newcomers: Caleb Houstan, Moussa Diabate, Frankie Collins, Kobe Bufkin, Isaiah Barnes, Will Tschetter, Devante Jones (Coastal Carolina)
Losses: Isaiah Livers, Mike Smith, Chaundee Brown, Austin Davis, Franz Wagner

3. Illinois
Projected Starting 5:
G Andre Curbelo
G Trent Frazier
G Da’Monte Williams
G Jacob Grandison
C Kofi Cockburn
Projected Bench: Omar Payne, Luke Goode, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Brandon Podziemski, RJ Melendez, Austin Hutcherson, Coleman Hawkins, Alfonso Plummer
Newcomers: Luke Goode, Omar Payne (Florida), Brandon Podziemski, RJ Melendez, Alfonso Plummer (Utah)
Losses: Ayo Dosunmu, Adam Miller

4. Maryland
Projected Starting 5:
G Fatts Russell
G Eric Ayala
G Hakim Hart
F Donta Scott
C Qudus Wahab
Projected Bench: Marcus Dockery, James Graham, Julian Reese, Ike Cornish, Ian Martinez, Xavier Green, Simon Wright
Newcomers: Julian Reese, Ike Cornish, Fatts Russell (Rhode Island), Qudus Wahab (Georgetown), Ian Martinez (Utah), Xavier Green (Old Dominion), Simon Wright (Elon)
Losses: Darryl Morsell, Galin Smith, Chol Marial, Aquan Smart, Jairus Hamilton, Aaron Wiggins

5. Ohio State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jamari Wheeler
G Cedric Russell
F Justice Sueing
F E.J. Liddell
C Kyle Young
Projected Bench: Zed Key, Seth Towns, Justin Ahrens, Eugene Brown, Meechie Johnson, Malaki Branham, Kalen Etzler, Joey Brunk, Jimmy Sotos
Newcomers: Malaki Branham, Kalen Etzler, Jamari Wheeler (Penn State), Joey Brunk (Indiana), Cedric Russell (Louisiana)
Losses: CJ Walker, Musa Jallow, Ibrahima Diallo, Duane Washington Jr.

6. Michigan State
Projected Starting 5:
G A.J. Hoggard
G Max Christie
G Gabe Brown
F Joey Hauser
C Marcus Bingham
Projected Bench: Mady Sissoko Malik Hall, Julius Marble, Jaden Akins, Pierre Brooks, Tyson Walker
Newcomers: Max Christie, Jaden Akins, Pierre Brooks, Tyson Walker (Northeastern)
Losses: Josh Langford, Aaron Henry, Rocket Watts, Thomas Kithier, Foster Loyer

7. Indiana
Projected Starting 5:
G Xavier Johnson
G Tamar Bates
G Miller Kopp
F Trayce Jackson-Davis
C Race Thompson
Projected Bench: Kristian Lander, Anthony Leal, Jordan Geronimo, Parker Stewart, Logan Duncomb, Trey Galloway, Robert Phinisee, Michael Durr
Newcomers: Parker Stewart (UT Martin), Logan Duncomb, Xavier Johnson (Pitt), Tamar Bates, Miller Kopp (Northwestern), Michael Durr (South Florida)
Losses: Al Durham, Joey Brunk, Armaan Franklin, Jerome Hunter

8. Rutgers
Projected Starting 5:
G Geo Baker
G Paul Mulcahy
G Caleb McConnell
F Ron Harper Jr.
C Cliff Omoruyi
Projected Bench: Aundre Hyatt, Oskar Palmquist, Dean Reiber, Mawot Mag, Jalen Miller, Jaden Jones, Ralph Agee
Newcomers: Aundre Hyatt (LSU), Jalen Miller, Ralph Agee (San Jose State)
Losses: Jacob Young, Myles Johnson, Montez Mathis

9. Wisconsin 
Projected Starting 5:
G Chucky Hepburn
G Brad Davison
G Jonathan Davis
F Tyler Wahl 
C Ben Carlson 
Projected Bench: Jahcobi Neath, Isaac Lindsey, Steven Crowl, Jordan Davis, Lorne Bowman, Chris Vogt, Markus Ilver, Matthew Mors, Chris Hodges
Newcomers: Chris Vogt (Cincinnati), Jahcobi Neath (Wake Forest), Isaac Lindsey (UNLV), Chucky Hepburn, Markus Ilver, Matthew Mors, Chris Hodges
Losses: D’Mitrik Trice, Aleem Ford, Micah Potter, Trevor Anderson, Nate Reuvers

10. Iowa
Projected Starting 5:
G Jordan Bohannon
G Joe Toussaint
G Connor McCaffery
F Keegan Murray
C Filip Rebraca 
Projected Bench: Patrick McCaffery, Tony Perkins, Austin Ash, Ahron Ulis, Josh Ogundele, Peyton Sandfort, Riley Mulvey
Newcomers: Filip Rebraca (North Dakota), Peyton Sandfort, Riley Mulvey
Losses: Luka Garza, CJ Fredrick, Jack Nunge, Joe Wieskamp

11. Northwestern
Projected Starting 5:
G Boo Buie
G Ty Berry 
G Chase Audige
F Robbie Beran
C Pete Nance
Projected Bench: Ryan Greer, Ryan Young, Elyjah Williams, Case Simmons, Julian Roper, Brooks Barnhizer, Matthew Nicholson
Newcomers: Elyjah Williams (FDU), Casey Simmons, Julian Roper, Brooks Barnhizer
Losses: Miller Kopp

12. Nebraska
Projected Starting 5:
G Alonzo Verge
G Trey McGowens
G Bryce McGowens
F Lat Mayen
C Derrick Walker
Projected Bench: Kobe Webster, Trevor Lakes, C.J. Wilcher, Keisei Tominaga, Keon Edwards, Wilhelm Breidenbach, Oleg Kojenets, Quaran McPherson
Newcomers: Alonzo Verge (Arizona State), C.J. Wilcher (Xavier), Keisei Tominaga (JUCO), Keon Edwards (DePaul), Bryce McGowens, Wilhelm Breidenbach, Oleg Kojenets, Quaran McPherson
Losses: Shamiel Stevenson, Thor Thorbjarnason, Elijah Wood, Dalano Banton

13. Penn State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Pickett
G Sam Sessoms
G Myles Dread
F Seth Lundy
C John Harrar
Projected Bench: Jaheem Cornwall, Greg Lee, Jevonnie Scott, Dallion Johnson, Caleb Dorsey
Newcomers: Jalen Pickett (Siena), Jaheem Cornwall (Gardner Webb), Greg Lee (Western Michigan), Jevonnie Scott (JUCO)
Losses: Jamari Wheeler, Izaiah Brockington, Myreon Jones, Trent Buttrick, D.J. Gordon, Abdou Tsimbila 

14. Minnesota
Projected Starting 5:
G Payton Willis
G Luke Loewe
F Eylijah Stephens 
F Jamison Battle 
C Eric Curry
Projected Bench: Sean Sutherlin, Charlie Daniels, Abdoulaye Gueye, Treyton Thompson, Danny Ogele
Newcomers: Payton Willis (Charleston), Luke Loewe (William & Mary), Jamison Battle (George Washington), Eylijah Stephens (Lafayette), Sean Sutherlin (New Hampshire), Charlie Daniels (Stephen F. Austin), Danny Ogele (Mercyhurst), Parker Fox (D2), Treyton Thompson, Abdoulaye Thiam
Losses: Both Gach, Marcus Carr, Liam Robbins, Brandon Johnson, Jamal Mashburn Jr., Gabe Kalscheur, Isaiah Inhen (injury), Parker Fox (injury)

Big Ten Preseason First Team
E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Trevion Williams, Purdue
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois

Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois

Big Ten Preseason Sleeper
Northwestern

15 Impact Big Ten Freshmen
*In no particular order
Caleb Houstan, Michigan
Moussa Diabate, Michigan
Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
Frankie Collins, Michigan
Max Christie, Michigan State
Jaden Atkins, Michigan State
Pierre Brooks, Michigan State
Bryce McGowens, Nebraska
Wilhelm Breidenbach, Nebraska
Tamar Bates, Indiana
Malaki Branham, Ohio State
Trey Kaufman, Purdue
Caleb Furst, Purdue
Julian Reese, Maryland
Ramses Melendez, Illinois

10 Impact Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
Jamari Wheeler, Ohio State (Penn State)
Devante Jones, Michigan (Coastal Carolina)
Fatts Russell, Maryland (Rhode Island)
Qudus Wahab, Maryland (Georgetown)
Tyson Walker, Michigan State (Northeastern)
Xavier Johnson, Indiana (Pitt)
Miller Kopp, Indiana (Northwestern)
Alfonso Plummer, Illinois (Utah)
Omar Payne, Illinois (Florida)
Alonzo Verge, Nebraska (Arizona State)

5 Under-The-Radar Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
Ian Martinez, Maryland (Utah)
Chris Vogt, Wisconsin (Cincinnati)
C.J. Wilcher, Nebraska (Xavier)
Filip Rebraca, Iowa (North Dakota)
Jamison Battle, Minnesota (George Washington)

10 Big Ten Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*players on this list cannot average more than 10 points during the previous season
Brandon Johns, Michigan
Andre Curbelo, Illinois
Keegan Murray, Iowa
Brandon Newman, Purdue
Paul Mulcahy, Rutgers
Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers
Jonathan Davis, Wisconsin
Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin
Sam Sessoms, Penn State
Ty Berry, Northwestern

Leftovers