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
G Braden Smith
G Fletcher Loyer
G CJ Cox
F Trey Kaufman-Renn
C Oscar Cluff
Projected Bench: Daniel Jacobsen, Gicarri Harris, Raleigh Burgess, Antione West Jr., Omer Mayer, Liam Murphy
Key Newcomers: Antione West Jr., Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State), Omer Mayer, Liam Murphy (North Florida)
Key Losses: Caleb Furst, Cam Heide, Myles Colvin
2. Michigan
Projected Starting 5:
G Elliot Cadeau
G Roddy Gayle
G Nimari Burnett
F Yaxel Lendeborg
C Morez Johnson
Projected Bench: Trey McKenney, Winters Grady, Oscar Goodman, Will Tschetter, LJ Cason, Patrick Liburd, Aday Mara
Key Newcomers: Trey McKenney, Winters Grady, Oscar Goodman, Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Morez Johnson (Illinois), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Aday Mara (UCLA), Patrick Liburd
Key Losses: Vlad Goldin, Danny Wolf
3. UCLA
Projected Starting 5:
G Donovan Dent
G Skyy Clark
F Eric Dailey
F Tyler Bilodeau
C Xavier Booker
Projected Bench: Eric Freeny, Brandon Williams, Jamar Brown, Trent Perry, Steven Jamerson
Key Newcomers: Donovan Dent (New Mexico), Jamar Brown (UMKC), Xavier Booker (Michigan State), Steven Jamerson (San Diego)
Key Losses: Kobe Johnson, Lazar Stefanovic, Aday Mara
4. Oregon
Projected Starting 5:
G Jackson Shelstad
G TK Simpkins
F Devon Pryor
F Kwame Evans
C Nate Bittle
Projected Bench: JJ Frakes, Jamari Phillips, Sean Stewart
Key Newcomers: JJ Frakes, Devon Pryor (Texas), TK Simpkins (Elon), Sean Stewart (Ohio State)
Key Losses: Brandon Angel, TJ Bamba, Keeshawn Barthelemy, Supreme Cook, Jadrian Tracey
5. Michigan State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jeremy Fears
G Trey Fort
F Coen Carr
F Jaxon Kohler
C Carson Cooper
Projected Bench: Jordan Scott, Cam Ward, Kaleb Glenn (injured), Kur Teng, Divine Ugochukwu
Key Newcomers: Jordan Scott, Cam Ward, Kaleb Glenn (Florida Atlantic), Trey Fort (Samford), Divine Ugochukwu (Miami)
Key Losses: Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler, Szymon Zapala, Tre Holloman, Jase Richardson
6. Illinois
Projected Starting 5:
G Mihailo Petrovic
G Ky Boswell
G Andrej Stojakovic
F Ben Humrichous
C Tomislav Ivisic
Projected Bench: Brandon Lee, Keaton Wagler, David Mirkovic, Jake Davis, Zvonimir Ivisic, Ty Rodgers (injured)
Key Newcomers: Brandon Lee, Keaton Wagler, Zvonimir Ivisic (Arkansas), David Mirkovic, Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic (Cal)
Key Losses: Kasparas Jakucionis, Will Riley, Morez Johnson, Carey Booth
7. Wisconsin
Projected Starting 5:
G Nick Boyd
G John Blackwell
G Andrew Rohde
F Austin Rapp
C Nolan Winter
Projected Bench: Will Garlock, Hayden Jones, Zach Kinziger, Aleksas Bieliauskas, Jack Janicki, Elijah Gray
Key Newcomers: Zach Kinziger, Will Garlock, Hayden Jones, Andrew Rohde (Virginia), Austin Rapp (Portland), Nick Boyd (San Diego State), Aleksas Bieliauskas, Elijah Gray (Temple)
Key Losses: John Tonje, Kamari McGee, Carter Gilmore, Steven Crowl, Max Klesmit
8. Ohio State
Projected Starting 5:
G Bruce Thornton
G John Mobley
F Devin Royal
F Brandon Noel
C Christoph Tilly
Projected Bench: Taison Chatman, A’mare Bynum, Gabe Cupps, Colin White, Josh Ojianwuna, Myles Herro, Mathieu Grujicic, Ivan Njegovan
Key Newcomers: A’mare Bynum, Gabe Cupps (Indiana), Christoph Tilly (Santa Clara), Brandon Noel (Wright State), Josh Ojianwuna (Baylor), Myles Herro, Mathieu Grujicic
Key Losses: Micah Parrish, Ques Glover, Meechie Johnson, Evan Mahaffey, Aaron Bradshaw, Sean Stewart
9. Washington
Projected Starting 5:
G Quimari Peterson
G Desmond Claude
G Wesley Yates
F Jacob Ognacevic
C Lathan Sommerville
Projected Bench: Franck Kepnang, Zoom Diallo, Bryson Tucker, Christian Nitu, Mady Traore, J.J. Mandaquit, Courtland Muldrew, Jasir Rencher, Hannes Steinbach
Key Newcomers: Desmond Claude (USC), Wesley Yates (USC), Quimari Peterson (East Tennessee State), Jacob Ognacevic (Lipscomb), Lathan Sommerville (Rutgers), Bryson Tucker (Indiana), Christian Nitu (Florida State), Mady Traore (JUCO), J.J. Mandaquit, Courtland Muldrew, Jasir Rencher, Hannes Steinbach
Key Losses: Great Osobor, Tyler Harris
10. USC
Projected Starting 5:
G Jordan Marsh
G Rodney Rice
G Chad Baker-Mazara
F Ezra Ausar
C Jacob Cofie
Projected Bench: Terrance Williams, Jaden Brownell, Gabe Dynes, Amarion Dickerson, Ryan Cornish, Alijah Arenas (injured)
Key Newcomers: Jerry Easter, Alijah Arenas, Jacob Cofie (Virginia), Amarion Dickerson (Robert Morris), Jaden Brownell (Samford), Gabe Dynes (Youngstown State), Ezra Ausar (Utah), Rodney Rice (Maryland), Chad Baker-Mazara (Auburn), Jordan Marsh (UNC Asheville), Ryan Cornish (Dartmouth)
Key Losses: Josh Cohen, Saint Thomas, Clark Slajchert, Bryce Pope, Matt Knowling, Harrison Hornery, Chibuzo Agbo, Isaiah Elohim, Wesley Yates, Desmond Claude
11. Maryland
Projected Starting 5:
G Myles Rice
G Isaiah Watts
F Solomon Washington
F Elijah Saunders
C Pharrel Payne
Projected Bench: David Coit, Andre Mills, George Turkson, Darius Adams, Guillermo Del Pino, Collin Metcalf, Rakease Passmore, Jaziah Harper, Aleks Alston, Nick Blake
Key Newcomers: Myles Rice (Indiana), David Coit (Kansas), Elijah Saunders (Virginia), Solomon Washington (Texas A&M), Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M), George Turkson (Texas A&M), Andre Mills (Texas A&M), Isaiah Watts (Washington State), Darius Adams, Guillermo Del Pino, Collin Metcalf (Northeastern), Rakease Passmore (Kansas), Jaziah Harper, Aleks Alston, Nick Blake
Key Losses: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Rodney Rice, Selton Miguel, Derik Queen, Julian Reese
12. Nebraska
Projected Starting 5:
G Jamarques Lawrence
G Conner Essegian
G Pryce Sandfort
F Berke Buyuktuncel
C Rienk Mast
Projected Bench: Braden Frager, Justin Bolis, Quentin Rhymes, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Kendall Blue, Jared Garcia, Leo Curtis
Key Newcomers: Quentin Rhymes, Pryce Sandfort (Iowa), Ugnius Jarusevicius (Central Michigan), Jamarques Lawrence (Rhode Island), Kendall Blue, Jared Garcia (Tulsa), Leo Curtis
Key Losses: Rollie Worster, Brice Williams, Braxton Meah, Ahron Ulis, Andrew Morgan, Juwan Gary
13. Iowa
Projected Starting 5:
G Bennett Stirtz
G Tavion Banks
G Brendan Hausen
F Cam Manyawu
F Alvaro Folgueiras
Projected Bench: Cooper Koch, Isaia Howard, Kael Combs, Joey Matteoni, Trevin Jirak, Tate Sage, Trey Thompson
Key Newcomers: Bennett Stirtz (Drake), Alvaro Folgueiras (Robert Morris), Brendan Hausen (Kansas State), Cam Manyawu (Drake), Tavion Banks (Drake), Isaia Howard (Drake), Kael Combs (Drake), Joey Matteoni (Drake), Trevin Jirak, Tate Sage, Trey Thompson
Key Losses: Owen Freeman, Payton Sandfort, Josh Dix, Pryce Sandfort, Brock Harding
14. Northwestern
Projected Starting 5:
G Jayden Reid
G KJ Windham
F Tre Singleton
F Nick Martinelli
F Arrinten Page
Projected Bench: Jake West, Tyler Kropp, Justin Mullins, Cade Bennerman, Phoenix Gill, Max Green, Blake Smith, Angelo Ciaravino, Jordan Clayton
Key Newcomers: Jake West, Tyler Kropp, Tre Singleton, Cade Bennerman, Phoenix Gill, Max Green (Holy Cross), Jayden Reid (South Florida), Arrinten Page (Cincinnati)
Key Losses: Brooks Barnhizer, Ty Berry, Matthew Nicholson, Jalen Leach, Luke Hunger
15. Indiana
Projected Starting 5:
G Tayton Conerway
G Lamar Wilkerson
G Jasai Miles
F Tucker DeVries
F Reed Bailey
Projected Bench: Conor Enright, Sam Alexis, Josh Harris, Nick Dorn, Jason Drake, Trent Sisley, Aleksa Ristic
Key Newcomers: Tucker DeVries (West Virginia), Reed Bailey (Davidson), Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston State), Tayton Conerway (Troy), Sam Alexis (Florida), Josh Harris (North Florida), Jasai Miles (North Florida), Nick Dorn (Elon), Conor Enright (DePaul), Jason Drake (Drexel), Trent Sisley, Aleksa Ristic
Key Losses: Malik Reneau, Oumar Ballo, Mackenzie Mgbako, Myles Rice
16. Rutgers
Projected Starting 5:
G Jamichael Davis
G Darren Buchanan
G Harun Zrno
F Dylan Grant
C Emmanuel Ogbole
Projected Bench: Chris Nwuli, Gevonte Ware, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers, Tariq Francis, Denis Badalau, Bryce Dortch
Key Newcomers: Darren Buchanan (GW), Baye Fall (Kansas State), Tariq Francis (NJIT), Chris Nwuli, Gevonte Ware, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers, Harun Zrno, Denis Badalau
Key Losses: Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Jeremiah Williams, Lathan Sommerville
17. Minnesota
Projected Starting 5:
G Isaac Asuma
G Chansey Willis
G Cade Tyson
F Jaylen Crocker-Johnson
C Robert Vaihola
Projected Bench: Grayson Grove, Langston Reynolds,, Chance Stephens, Bobby Durkin, BJ Omot, Nehemiah Turner
Key Newcomers: Bobby Durkin (Davidson), Cade Tyson (North Carolina), BJ Omot (Cal), Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado), Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (Colorado State), Robert Vaihola (San Jose State), Chance Stephens (Maryland), Chansey Willis (Western Michigan), Nehemiah Turner (Central Arkansas)
Key Losses: Dawson Garcia, Lu’Cye Patterson
18. Penn State
Projected Starting 5:
G Kayden Mingo
G Freddie Dillione
G Eli Rice
G Josh Reed
C Ivan Juric
Projected Bench: Mason Blackwood, Justin Houser, Reggie Grodin, Melih Tunca, Dominick Stewart, Tibor Mirtic, Sasa Ciani
Key Newcomers: Kaden Mingo, Mason Blackwood, Justin Houser, Ivan Juric, Reggie Grodin, Josh Reed (Cincinnati), Melih Tunca, Sasa Ciani (UIC), Tibor Mirtic
Key Losses: Ace Baldwin, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Puff Johnson, Zach Hicks, Nick Kern, D’Marco Dunn
All-Big Ten Preseason First-Team
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Donovan Dent, UCLA
Braden Smith, Purdue
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Braden Smith, Purdue
Big Ten Preseason Sleeper
Maryland
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
C.J. Cox, Purdue
Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State
Jeremy Fears, Michigan State
Roddy Gayle, Michigan
Trent Perry, UCLA
Kwame Evans, Oregon
Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
KJ Windham, Northwestern
Cooper Koch, Iowa
Dylan Grant, Rutgers
15 Impact Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
Oscar Cluff, Purdue (South Dakota State)
Donovan Dent, UCLA (New Mexico)
Eliot Cadeau, Michigan (North Carolina)
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan (UAB)
Morez Johnson, Michigan (Illinois)
Aday Mara, Michigan (UCLA)
Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois (Stanford)
Desmond Claude, Washington (USC)
Wesley Yates, Washington (USC)
Lathan Sommerville, Washington (Rutgers)
Chad Baker-Mazara, USC (Auburn)
Rodney Rice, USC (Maryland)
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa (Drake)
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana (Sam Houston)
Tucker DeVries, Indiana (West Virginia)
10 Under-The-Radar Big Ten Transfers
*In no particular order
Nick Boyd, Wisconsin (San Diego State)
Austin Rapp, Wisconsin (Portland)
Christoph Tilly, Ohio State (Santa Clara)
Solomon Washington, Maryland (Texas A&M)
Myles Rice, Maryland (Indiana)
Pharrel Payne, Maryland (Texas A&M)
Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska (Iowa)
Brendan Hausen, Iowa (Kansas State)
Alvaro Folgueiras, Iowa (Robert Morris)
Reed Bailey, Indiana (Davidson)
10 Impact Big Ten Freshmen
*In no particular order
Daniel Jacobsen, Purdue (redshirt)
Aliah Arenas, USC
Jerry Easter, USC
Trey McKenney, Michigan
Darius Adams, Maryland
Kayden Mingo, Penn State
JJ Mandaquit, Washington
Cam Ward, Michigan State
Jordan Scott, Michigan State
Chris Nwuli, Rutgers
Leftovers
- The Breakfast Buffet: Brayden Burries, Nebraska, UCLA’s defense needs to improve
- The Breakfast Buffet: Melvin Council, Kentucky is getting healthy, Chad Baker-Mazara
- The Breakfast Buffet: Darius Acuff/Christian Anderson, Darrion Williams, Arizona/Alabama
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (12/12): Guest — Alabama’s Nate Oats
- BRACKET BREAKDOWN: December 12th
