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 Power Rankings
1. Indiana
Projected Starting 5:
G Xavier Johnson
G Jalen Hood-Schifino
F Miller Kopp
F Race Thompson
C Trayce Jackson-Davis
Projected Bench: Trey Galloway, Jordan Geronimo, Malik Reneau, Tamar Bates, Anthony Leal, Logan Duncomb, Kaleb Banks, CJ Gunn
Key Losses: Rob Phinisee, Michael Durr, Parker Stewart, Khristian Lander
Key Newcomers: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Kaleb Banks, CJ Gunn, Malik Reneau
2. Purdue
Projected Starting 5:
G David Jenkins
G Brandon Newman
G Ethan Morton
F Mason Gillis
C Zach Edey
Projected Bench: Caleb Furst, Brian Waddell, Trey Kauffman-Renn, Camden Heide, Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith
Key Losses: Jaden Ivey, Eric Hunter, Sasha Stefanovic, Isaiah Thompson, Trevion Williams
Key Newcomers: Camden Heide, Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, Brian Waddell (redshirt), Trey Kauffman-Renn (redshirt), David Jenkins (Utah)
3. Michigan
Projected Starting 5:
G Jaelin Llewellyn
G Kobe Bufkin
F Jett Howard
F Terrance Williams
C Hunter Dickinson
Projected Bench: Jace Howard, Isaiah Barnes, Tarris Reed, Dug McDaniel, Gregg Glenn, Youssef Khayat, Joey Baker
Key Losses: Brandon Johns, Eli Brooks, DeVante Jones, Adrian Nunez, Frankie Collins, Moussa Diabate, Caleb Houstan
Key Newcomers: Jett Howard, Tarris Reed, Dug McDaniel, Gregg Glenn, Jaelin Llewellyn (Princeton), Youssef Khayat, Joey Baker (Duke)
4. Ohio State
Projected Starting 5:
G Bruce Thornton
G Isaac Likekele
G Sean McNeil
F Justice Sueing
C Zed Key
Projected Bench: Eugene Brown, Tanner Holden, Felix Okpara, Roddy Gayle Jr., Brice Sensabaugh, Bowen Hardman
Key Losses: E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, Cedric Russell, Jamari Wheeler, Malaki Branham, Justin Ahrens, Joey Brunk, Jimmy Sotos, Meechie Johnson
Key Newcomers: Tanner Holden (Wright State), Sean McNeil (West Virginia), Bruce Thornton, Felix Okpara, Roddy Gayle Jr., Brice Sensabaugh, Bowen Hardman, Isaac Likekele (Oklahoma State)
5. Michigan State
Projected Starting 5:
G Tyson Walker
G A.J. Hoggard
G Jaden Akins
F Malik Hall
C Joey Hauser
Projected Bench: Mady Sissoko, Pierre Brooks, Jaxon Kohler, Tre Holloman, Carson Cooper
Key Losses: Gabe Brown, Marcus Bingham, Julius Marble, Max Christie
Key Newcomers: Jaxon Kohler, Tre Holloman, Carson Cooper
6. Illinois
Projected Starting 5:
G Skyy Clark
G Terrence Shannon Jr.
F R.J. Melendez
F Matthew Mayer
C Coleman Hawkins
Projected Bench: Luke Goode, Ty Rodgers, Jayden Epps, Sencire Harris, Brandon Lieb, Dain Dainja,, Zacharie Perrin
Key Losses: Kofi Cockburn, Trent Frazier, Jacob Grandison, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Andre Curbelo, Da’Monte Williams
Key Newcomers: Skyy Clark, Ty Rodgers, Jayden Epps, Sencire Harris, Dain Dainja (Baylor), Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech), Matthew Mayer (Baylor), Zacharie Perrin
7. Wisconsin
Projected Starting 5:
G Chucky Hepburn
G Jordan Davis
G Jahcobi Neath
F Tyler Wahl
C Steven Crowl
Projected Bench: Carter Gilmore, Max Klesmit,, Isaac Lindsey, Connor Essegian, Markus Ilver, Chris Hodges
Key Losses: Johnny Davis, Brad Davison, Chris Vogt, Lorne Bowman, Ben Carlson
Key Newcomers: Connor Essegian, Max Klesmit (Wofford), Kamari McGee (Green Bay)
8. Rutgers
Projected Starting 5:
G Paul Mulcahy
G Cam Spencer
G Caleb McConnell
F Aundre Hyatt
C Cliff Omoruyi
Projected Bench: Jalen Miller, Mawot Mag, Oskar Palmquist, Dean Reiber, Derek Simpson, Antwone Woolfolk
Key Losses: Geo Baker, Ron Harper Jr., Ralph Agee
Key Newcomers: Derek Simpson, Antwone Woolfolk, Cam Spencer (Loyola Maryland)
9. Iowa
Projected Starting 5:
G Tony Perkins
G Peyton Sandfort
F Patrick McCaffery
F Kris Murray
C Filip Rebraca
Projected Bench: Connor McCaffery, Josh Ogundele, Ahron Ulis, Riley Mulvey, Luc Laketa, Carter Kingsbury, Dasonte Bowen, Josh Dix
Key Losses: Keegan Murray, Jordan Bohannon
Key Newcomers: Dasonte Bowen, Josh Dix
10. Maryland
Projected Starting 5:
G Jahmir Young
G Donald Carey
F Hakim Hart
F Donta Scott
C Julian Reese
Projected Bench: Ike Cornish, Pavlo Dziuba, Ian Martinez, Patrick Emilien, Jahari Long, Caelum Swanton-Rodger, Noah Batchelor
Key Losses: Fatts Russell, Xavier Green, Eric Ayala, Qudus Wahab, James Graham, Marcus Dockery, Simon Wright
Key Newcomers: Jahmir Young (Charlotte), Donald Carey (Georgetown), Patrick Emilien (St. Francis NY), Jahari Long, Caelum Swanton-Rodger, Noah Batchelor
11. Northwestern
Projected Starting 5:
G Boo Buie
G Chase Audige
G Julian Roper
F Robbie Beran
C Tydus Verhoeven
Projected Bench: Ty Berry, Matthew Nicholson, Brooks Barnhizer, Luke Hunger
Key Losses: Ryan Greer, Pete Nance, Elyjah Williams, Ryan Young, Casey Simmons
Key Newcomers: Luke Hunger, Tydus Verhoeven (UTEP)
12. Penn State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Pickett
G Cam Wynter
G Myles Dread
F Seth Lundy
C Michael Henn
Projected Bench: Caleb Dorsey, Evan Mahaffey, Kanye Clary, Demetrius Lilley, Andrew Funk, Jameel Brown, Kebba Njie,
Key Losses: Sam Sessoms, John Harrar, Greg Lee, Jaheam Cornwall, Jalanni White
Key Newcomers: Kebba Njie, Jameel Brown, Evan Mahaffey, Kanye Clary, Demetrius Lilley, Cam Wynter (Drexel), Andrew Funk (Bucknell), Michael Henn (Denver)
13. Minnesota
Projected Starting 5:
G Taurus Samuels
G Ta’lon Cooper
G/F Jamison Battle
F Dawson Garcia *Needs NCAA Waiver
C Pharrel Payne
Projected Bench: Josh Ola-Joseph, Braden Carrington, Jaden Henley, Treyton Thompson, Will Ramberg, Kadyn Betts, Isaiah Inhen (injured), Parker Fox (injured)
Key Losses: Sean Sutherlin, Danny Ogele, Eylijah Stephens, Luke Loewe, Eric Curry, Payton Willis, Charlie Daniels, Abdoulaye Thiam
Key Newcomers: Pharrel Payne, Josh Ola-Joseph, Braden Carrington, Jaden Henley, Taurus Samuels (Dartmouth), Dawson Garcia (Minnesota), Ta’lon Cooper (Morehead State), Kadyn Betts
14. Nebraska
Projected Starting 5:
G Sam Griesel
G Emmanuel Bandoumel
G C.J. Wilcher
F Wilhelm Breidenbach
C Derrick Walker
Projected Bench: Blaise Keita, Quaran McPherson, Denim Dawson, Ramel Lloyd Jr., Jamarques Lawrence, Keisei Tominaga, Oleg Kojenets, Juwan Gary
Key Losses: Bryce McGowens, Alonzo Verge, Kobe Webster, Lat Mayen, Trey McGowens, Eduardo Andre, Trevor Lakes, Keon Edwards
Key Newcomers: Denim Dawson, Blaise Keita (JUCO), Ramel Lloyd Jr., Jamarques Lawrence, Juwan Gary (Alabama), Emmanuel Bandoumel (SMU), Sam Griesel (North Dakota State)
Preseason All-Big Ten First Team
Kris Murray, Iowa
Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
Zach Edey, Purdue
Big Ten Co-Preseason Player of the Year
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
Big Ten Preseason Sleeper
Iowa
15 Impact Big Ten Freshmen
*In no particular order
Malik Reneau, Indiana
Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana
Trey Kauffman-Renn, Purdue (redshirt)
Brian Waddell, Purdue (redshirt)
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Skyy Clark, Illinois
Ty Rodgers, Illinois
Jayden Epps, Illinois
Sencire Harris, Illinois
Tarris Reed, Michigan
Jett Howard, Michigan
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Roddy Gayle Jr., Ohio State
Felix Okpara, Ohio State
Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State
10 Under-The-Radar Big Ten Freshmen
*In no particular order
Kaleb Banks, Indiana
Braden Smith, Purdue
Camden Heide, Purdue
Dug McDaniel, Michigan
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Tre Holloman, Michigan State
Derek Simpson, Rutgers
Dasonte Bowen, Iowa
Jameel Brown, Penn State
Kebba Njie, Penn State
10 Impact Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
David Jenkins, Purdue (Utah)
Jaelin Llewellyn, Michigan (Clemson)
Isaac Likekele, Ohio State (Oklahoma State)
Sean McNeil, Ohio State (West Virginia)
Tanner Holden, Ohio State (Wright State)
Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois (Texas Tech)
Matthew Mayer, Illinois (Baylor)
Jahmir Young, Maryland (Charlotte)
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota (North Carolina) *Needs NCAA waiver
Sam Griesel, Nebraska (North Dakota State)
10 Under-The-Radar Transfers
*In no particular order
Max Klesmit, Wisconsin (Wofford)
Kamari McGee, Wisconsin (Green Bay)
Donald Carey, Maryland (Georgetown)
Cam Spencer, Rutgers (Loyola Maryland)
Tydus Verhoeven, Northwestern (UTEP)
Cam Wynter, Penn State (Drexel)
Andrew Funk, Penn State (Bucknell)
Emmanuel Bandoumel, Nebraska (SMU)
Juwan Gary, Nebraska (Alabama)
Blaise Keita, Nebraska (JUCO)
15 Big Ten Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible to be a breakout player if he’s previously averaged in double figures
Brandon Newman, Purdue
Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
Zed Key, Ohio State
Jaden Akins, Michigan State
Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
RJ Melendez, Illinois
Steven Crowl, Wisconsin
Chucky Hepburn, Wisconsin
Paul Mulcahy, Rutgers
Kris Murray, Iowa
Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Julian Reese, Maryland
Robbie Beran, Northwestern
Julian Roper, Northwestern
C.J. Wilcher, Nebraska
Leftovers
- Wisconsin, Villanova finalizing agreement to meet on 12/19 at Fiserv Forum
- CBS Sports Podcast (5/29) — Miami’s Jai Lucas
- Villanova, Michigan finalizing agreement to begin home-and-home series this season in Ann Arbor
- BYU, Wisconsin to meet on 11/21 at Delta Center
- Georgetown, North Carolina to begin home-and-home series in Chapel Hill
