Big Ten basketball is back. Whether it’s better than ever — or even last season — remains to be seen.
The conference’s top contenders appear obvious, but the league that gave us The Crab Five, John Tonje’s rise and Jase Richardson’s emergence last winter always has a few surprises in store.
As season’s begin from coast to coast, where do things stand in the conference hoping this will be the winter when it can finally scratch its now-26-year itch, and win another national title? Let’s take a look.
Note: Records through Friday’s games.
1. Michigan (1-0)
Get to know the name Yaxel Lendeborg. The 6-9 UAB transfer — who passed on the NBA for a year in Ann Arbor — begins this season as Braden Smith’s primary competition for player of the year.
2. Purdue (2-0)
There’s a lot of “Is this Matt Painter’s year?” running around in the preseason, and justifiably so. If the Boilermakers shore up their defense, they will contend nationally.
3. UCLA (2-0)
New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent is another of those new names to know in the league, and a big part of the reason the Bruins are up this high.
4. Michigan State (1-0)
Tom Izzo gets some benefit of the doubt here — computers like the Spartans a touch further down — but he’ll need one of Coen Carr or Jaxon Kohler to make a jump.
5. Illinois (2-0)
The Illini feel like a dark horse conference contender down this low, with Kylan Boswell and the Ivisic brothers driving the train. Illinois has an argument to be higher.
6. Oregon (2-0)
Does Jackson Shelstad’s broken hand slow Oregon’s start, or does it open the door for a third weapon to emerge behind Shelstad and Nate Bittle?
7. Wisconsin (2-0)
John Blackwell pops up on preseason all-league teams and still might not be getting enough respect. He could be one of the best volume scorers in the Big Ten, if not the country.
8. Indiana (1-0)
We’re splitting hairs between the two new faces in the coaches’ meetings with Drake roots. Indiana gets the slight nod ahead of Iowa for Darian DeVries’ Division I experience, and for the veteran roster he’s collected in Bloomington.
9. Iowa (2-0)
But there’s every chance Ben McCollum outdoes the man he succeeded in Des Moines this time a year ago. Especially with one more year of Bennett Stirtz pulling the strings at point.
10. USC (1-0)
The computers like USC more than last year’s results would suggest. A veteran trio of Terrance Williams II, Rodney Rice and Chad Baker-Mazara at the top is a big reason why.
11. Maryland (1-1)
It’s hard to know quite what to make of Buzz Williams’ first Maryland team. Success in College Park this winter probably starts with IU transfer Myles Rice returning to his Washington State best.
12. Ohio State (2-0)
The Buckeyes are the biggest outlier here — Jake Diebler still has something to prove on the Ohio State sideline, but he has more than enough talent to make this ranking look very silly.
13. Northwestern (2-0)
Nick Martinelli is back, but he needs major help. Keep an eye on freshman (and Jeffersonville native) Tre Singleton, who finished a preseason exhibition loss to Iowa State with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
14. Rutgers (1-0)
Preseason projects don’t love Rutgers, after last season’s unsuccessful foray into the world of one-and-dones. But we’re giving Steve Pikiell credit, in picking them to slightly outperform expectations.
15. Washington (2-0)
Danny Sprinkle added some interesting pieces, most notably USC transfers Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III. The Huskies still need to prove they can manage a Big Ten schedule.
16. Nebraska (1-0)
We know what the Huskers have in Connor Essegian and Rienk Mast. If Pryce Sandfort thrives after swapping Iowa City for Lincoln, Nebraska becomes dangerous offensively.
17. Minnesota (1-0)
Buying Minnesota means buying Minneapolis native Niko Medved’s ability to turn the Gophers around. He has the toughest job of the three former Drake coaches now in the league.
18. Penn State (1-0)
Ace Baldwin and Yanic Konan Neiderhauser will be difficult to replace. Mike Rhoades has had nice moments in State College but this winter looks like an uphill climb.
