Summer time means a look ahead to next season!
Each week moving forward, we will preview at least one conference in college basketball from soup to nuts.
Check below for today’s breakdown on the Big Ten.
Big Ten Preseason Power Rankings
1. Purdue
Projected Starting 5:
G Braden Smith
G Fletcher Loyer
G Myles Colvin
F Cam Heide
C Trey Kaufman-Renn
Projected Bench: Will Berg, Caleb Furst, Brian Waddell, Gicarri Harris, Raleigh Burgess, Daniel Jacobsen, CJ Cox, Jack Benter
Key Newcomers: Gicarri Harris, Raleigh Burgess, Daniel Jacobsen, CJ Cox, Jack Benter
Key Losses: Zach Edey, Lance Jones, Mason Gillis
2. Indiana
Projected Starting 5:
G Myles Rice
G Kanaan Carlyle
F Mackenzie Mgbako
F Malik Reneau
C Oumar Ballo
Projected Bench: Trey Galloway, Jakai Newton, Gabe Cupps, Bryson Tucker, Anthony Leal, Luke Goode, Lagndon Hatton
Key Newcomers: Bryson Tucker, Myles Rice (Washington State), Oumar Ballo (Arizona), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford), Luke Goode (Illinois), Langdon Hatton (Bellarmine)
Key Losses: Kel’el Ware, Xavier Johnson, Anthony Walker, CJ Gunn, Payton Sparks, Kaleb Banks
3. UCLA
Projected Starting 5:
G Dylan Andrews
G Skyy Clark
G Kobe Johnson
F Eric Dailey Jr.
C Tyler Bilodeau
Projected Bench: Sebastian Mack, Lazar Stefanovic, Brandon Williams, Devin Williams, Eric Freeny, Aday Mara, William Kyle, Dom Harris, Trent Perry
Key Newcomers: Eric Freeny, Skyy Clark (Louisville), Kobe Johnson (USC), Eric Dailey Jr. (Oklahoma State), Tyler Bilodeau (Oregon State), William Kyle (South Dakota State), Dom Harris (Loyola Marymount), Trent Perry
Key Losses: Adem Bona
4. Ohio State
Projected Starting 5:
G Bruce Thornton
G Meechie Johnson
G Micah Parrish
F Sean Stewart
C Aaron Bradshaw
Projected Bench: Taison Chatman (injured), Kalen Etzler, John Mobley, Colin White, Devin Royal, Evan Mahaffey, Ques Glover
Key Newcomers: Juni Mobley, Colin White, Meechie Johnson (South Carolina), Aaron Bradshaw (Kentucky), Micah Parrish (San Diego State), Sean Stewart (Duke), Ques Glover (Kansas State)
Key Losses: Jamison Battle, Scotty Middleton, Roddy Gayle, Zed Key, Felix Okpara
5. Oregon
Projected Starting 5:
G Jackson Shelstad
G Keeshawn Barthelemy
G T.J. Bamba
F Brandon Angel
C Supreme Cook
Projected Bench: Mookie Cook, Ibrahima Traore, Nate Bittle, Ra’Heim Moss, Jadrian Tracey, Jamari Phillips, Kwame Evans
Key Newcomers: Ibrahima Traore, Brandon Angel (Stanford), Ra’Heim Moss (Toledo), T.J. Bamba (Oregon), Jamari Phillips, Supreme Cook (Georgetown)
Key Losses: N’Faly Dante, Jermaine Cousinard, Brennan Rigsby
6. Maryland
Projected Starting 5:
G Ja’Kobi Gillespie
G Selton Miguel
G DeShawn Harris-Smith
F Julian Reese
C Derik Queen
Projected Bench: Malachi Palmer, Rodney Rice, Braden Pierce, Chance Stephens, Jahari Long, Tafara Gapare, Jordan Geronimo, Jayhlon Young
Key Newcomers: Malachi Palmer, Derik Queen, Ja’Kobi Gillepsie (Belmont), Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech), Selton Miguel (South Florida), Tafara Gapare (Georgia Tech), Jayhlon Young (Memphis)
Key Losses: Jahmir Young, Donta Scott, Noah Batchelor, Jamie Kaiser, Jonathan Lamothe
7. Michigan State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jeremy Fears
G Jaden Akins
F Frankie Fidler
F Coen Carr
C Xavier Booker
Projected Bench: Tre Holloman, Gehrig Normand, Carson Cooper, Jaxon Kohler, Jase Richardson, Kur Teng, Jesse McCulloch, Szymon Zapala
Key Newcomers: Jase Richardson, Kur Teng, Jesse McCulloch, Frankie Fidler (Omaha), Szymon Zapala (Longwood)
Key Losses: Tyson Walker, Malik Hall, A.J. Hoggard
8. Illinois
Projected Starting 5:
G Ky Boswell
G Kasparas Jakucionis
G Ty Rodgers
G Tre White
C Tomislav Ivisic
Projected Bench: Morez Johnson, Carey Booth, Jason Jakstys, Jake Davis, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Will Riley, Ben Humrichous
Key Newcomers: Morez Johnson, Jason Jakstys, Tre White (Louisville), Jake Davis (Mercer), Kylan Boswell (Arizona), Carey Booth (Notre Dame), Ben Humrichous (Evansville), Tomislav Ivisic, Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley
Key Losses: Terrence Shannon Jr., Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrier, Justin Harmon, Dain Dainja, Amani Hansberry, Luke Goode, Coleman Hawkins
9. Michigan
Projected Starting 5:
G Tre Donaldson
G Roddy Gayle
F Sam Walters
F Danny Wolf
C Vlad Goldin
Projected Bench: Nimari Burnett, Durral Brooks, Justin Pippen, Will Tschetter, Lorenzo Cason, Rubin Jones
Key Newcomers: Durral Brooks, Danny Wolf (Yale), Roddy Gayle (Ohio State), Trey Donaldson (Auburn), Rubin Jones (North Texas), Sam Walters (Alabama), Justin Pippen, Lorenzo Cason, Vlad Goldin (Florida Atlantic)
Key Losses: Olivier Nkamhoua, Tray Jackson, Jaelin Llewellyn, Dug McDaniel, Tarris Reed, Terrance Williams
10. Rutgers
Projected Starting 5:
G Dylan Harper
G Jamichael Davis
G Jeremiah Williams
F Ace Bailey
C Emmanuel Ogbole
Projected Bench: Zach Martini, Lathan Sommerville, Bryce Dortch, Dylan Grant, Zach Martini, Jordan Derkack, PJ Hayes
Key Newcomers: Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Lathan Sommerville, Bryce Dortch, Dylan Grant, Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan), Zach Martini (Princeton), Jordan Derkack (Merrimack), PJ Hayes (San Diego)
Key Losses: Aundre Hyatt, Noah Fernandes, Austin Williams, Mawot Mag, Cliff Omoruyi, Derek Simpson, Gavin Griffiths
11. Iowa
Projected Starting 5:
G Drew Thelwell
G Josh Dix
G Payton Sandfort
F Seydou Traore
C Owen Freeman
Projected Bench: Brock Harding, Even Brauns, Cooper Koch, Jacob Koch, Ladji Dembele, Pryce Sandfort, Carter Kingsbury, Luc Laketa, Chris Tadjo
Key Newcomers: Cooper Koch, Jacob Koch, Chris Tadjo, Drew Thelwell (Morehead State), Seydou Traore (Manhattan)
Key Losses: Ben Krikke, Tony Perkins
COVID Seniors with additional eligibility: Patrick McCaffery, Tony Perkins, Evan Brauns
12. Wisconsin
Projected Starting 5:
G Camren Hunter
G Max Klesmit
G John Blackwell
F Nolan Winter
C Steven Crowl
Projected Bench: Carter Gilmore, Kamari McGee, Chris Hodges, Markus Iver, Daniel Freitag, Jack Robison, Xavier Amos, John Tonje
Key Newcomers: Daniel Freitag, Jack Robison, Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas), Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois), John Tonje (Missouri)
Key Losses: Tyler Wahl, Chucky Hepburn, Steven Crowl, Connor Essegian, AJ Storr
13. Northwestern
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Leach
G Ty Berry
G Brooks Barnhizer
F Nick Martinelli
C Matthew Nicholson
Projected Bench: Luke Hunger, Justin Mullins, Blake Barkley, KJ Windham, Angelo Ciaravino, Jordan Clayton, Keenan Fitzmorris
Key Newcomers: KJ Windham, Angelo Ciaravino, Jalen Leach (Fairfield), Keenan Fitzmorris (Stony Brook)
Key Losses: Boo Buie, Blake Preston, Ryan Langborg
14. Nebraska
Projected Starting 5:
G Rollie Worster
G Brice Williams
F Juwan Gary
F Berke Buyuktuncel
C Braxton Meah
Projected Bench: Gavin Griffiths, Sam Hoiberg, Connor Essegian, Andrew Morgan, Nick Janowski, Braden Frager, Ahron Ulis, Justin Bolis, Rienk Mast (injured)
Key Newcomers: Nick Janowski, Braden Frager, Connor Essegian (Wisconsin), Braxton Meah (Washington), Berke Buyuktuncel (Nebraska), Andrew Morgan (North Dakota State), Rollie Worster (Utah), Gavin Griffiths (Rutgers), Justin Bolis (JUCO)
Key Losses: Jarron Coleman, Josiah Allick, Keisei Tominaga, Jamarques Lawrence, CJ Wilcher
15. USC
Projected Starting 5:
G Desmond Claude
G Terrance Williams
G Chibuzo Agbo
F Saint Thomas
C Josh Cohen
Projected Bench: Wesley Yates, Kevin Patton, Clark Slajchert, Bryce Pope, Rashaun Agee, Matt Knowling, Isaiah Elohim, Jalen Shelley
Key Newcomers: Desmond Claude (Xavier), Wesley Yates (Washington), Saint Thomas (Northern Colorado), Bryce Pope (UC San Diego), Kevin Patton (San Diego), Josh Cohen (UMass), Clark Slajchert (Penn), Terrance Williams (Michigan), Chibuzo Agbo (Boise State), Matt Knowling (Yale), Rashaun Agee (Bowling Green), Isaiah Elohim, Jalen Shelley
Key Losses: Isaiah Collier, Boogie Ellis, Kobe Johnson, Vince Iwuchukwu
16. Penn State
Projected Starting 5:
G Ace Baldwin
G Nick Kern
F Zach Hicks
F Puff Johnson
C Yanic Niederhauser
Projected Bench: D’Marco Dunn, Eli Rice, Freddie Dillione, Kachi Nzeh, Miles Goodman, Jahvin Carter, Dominick Stewart, Hudson Ward
Key Newcomers: Miles Goodman, Jahvin Carter, Dominick Stewart, Hudson Ward, Freddie Dillione (Tennessee), Kachi Nzeh (Xavier), Eli Rice (Nebraska), Yanic Niederhauser (Northern Illinois)
Key Losses: Ray Mitchell, Leo O’Boyle, Qudus Wahab, Kanye Clary
17. Washington
Projected Starting 5:
G DJ Davis
G Zoom Diallo
G Tyler Harris
F Great Osobor
C Frank Kepnang
Projected Bench: Wilhelm Breidenbach, Jase Butler, Mekhi Mason, Luis Kortright, KC Ibekwe, Chris Conway, Tyree Ihenacho
Key Newcomers: Casmir Chavis, Zoom Diallo, Jase Butler, DJ Davis (Butler), Great Osobor (Utah State), Mekhi Mason (Rice), Tyler Harris (Portland), Luis Kortright (Rhode Island), KC Ibekwe (Oregon State), Chris Conway (Oakland), Tyree Ihenacho (North Dakota)
Key Losses: Keion Brooks, Sahvir Wheeler, Paul Mulcahy, Koren Johnson, Braxton Meah
18. Minnesota
Projected Starting 5:
G Mike Mitchell
G Brennan Rigsby
G Lu’Cye Patterson
F Dawson Garcia
C Frank Mitchell
Projected Bench: Femi Odukale, Parker Fox, Tyler Cochran, Kadyn Betts, Isaac Asuma, Grayson Grove, Trey Edmonds
Key Newcomers: Isaac Asuma, Grayson Grove, Frank Mitchell (Canisius), Brennan Rigsby (Oregon), Femi Odukale (New Mexico State), Trey Edmonds III (UTSA), Lu’Cye Patterson (Charlotte), Tyler Cochran (Toledo)
Key Losses: Cam Christie, Pharrel Payne, Joshua Ola-Joseph, Elijah Hawkins
All-Big Ten Preseason First-Team
Braden Smith, Purdue
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern
Oumar Ballo, Indiana
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Braden Smith, Purdue
Big Ten Preseason Sleeper
Iowa
15 Impact Big Ten Freshmen
*In no particular order
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Daniel Jacobsen, Purdue
Derik Queen, Maryland
Bryson Tucker, Indiana
John Mobley, Ohio State
Trent Perry, UCLA
Jamari Phillips, Oregon
Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Kur Teng, Michigan State
Will Riley, Illinois
Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Tomislav Ivisic, Illinois
Morez Johnson, Illinois
Zoom Diallo, Washington
20 Impact Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
Oumar Ballo, Indiana (Arizona)
Myles Rice, Indiana (Washington State)
Kanaan Carlyle, Indiana (Stanford)
Meechie Johnson, Ohio State (South Carolina)
Aaron Bradshaw, Ohio State (Kentucky)
Kobe Johnson, UCLA (USC)
Skyy Clark, UCLA (Louisville)
Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA (Oregon State)
Eric Dailey, UCLA (Oklahoma State)
TJ Bamba, Oregon (Villanova)
Brandon Angel, Oregon (Stanford)
Frankie Fidler, Michigan State (Omaha)
Ky Boswell, Illinois (Arizona)
Roddy Gayle, Michigan (Ohio State)
Vlad Goldin, Michigan (Florida Atlantic)
Danny Wolf, Michigan (Yale)
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland (Belmont)
Rollie Worster, Nebraska (Utah)
Desmond Claude, USC (Xavier)
Great Osobor, Washington (Utah State)
15 Under-The-Radar Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
Luke Goode, Indiana (Illinois)
Micah Parrish, Ohio State (San Diego State)
William Kyle, UCLA (San Diego State)
Dom Harris, UCLA (Loyola Marymount)
Supreme Cook, Oregon (Georgetown)
Tre White, Illinois (USC)
Ben Humrichous, Illinois (Evansville)
Camren Hunter, Wisconsin (Central Arkansas)
Jalen Leach, Northwestern (Fairfield)
Connor Essegian, Nebraska (Wisconsin)
Braxton Meah, Nebraska (Washington)
Berke Buyuktuncel, Nebraska (UCLA)
Bryce Pope, USC (UC San Diego)
Chibuzo Agbo, USC (Boise State)
DJ Davis, Washington (Butler)
10 Big Ten Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible to be on a breakout list if he has previously averaged in double figures
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Devin Royal, Ohio State
Kwame Evans, Oregon
Jeremy Fears, Michigan State
Coen Carr, Michigan State
Xavier Booker, Michigan State
Jamichael Davis, Rutgers
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
John Blackwell, Wisconsin
Josh Dix, Iowa
Leftovers
- Kansas State, Mississippi State, Nebraska to headline 2025 Hall-of-Fame Classic in Kansas City, fourth team is TBD
- Episode 470 — Houston’s Kelvin Sampson
- Arizona/Duke, Kansas/Indiana to headline doubleheader at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in November 2027
- Georgia Tech, LSU, DePaul to headline 2025 Emerald Coast Classic
- Episode 469 — Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger
