With the NBA Draft deadline in the rearview mirror, Saturday Tradition looks ahead with way-too-early Big Ten basketball power rankings.
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1. Indiana (21-14, 9-11 Big Ten in 2022)
What I like: Indiana returns 78.1% of its production from last season, which is 2nd-best among power-conference programs. Likely Big Ten preseason Player of the Year Trayce Jackson-Davis is the biggest chunk of that production, which helps even further.On top of that experience, Mike Woodson signed the nation’s 8th-ranked recruiting class.
What I don’t like: Indiana’s returners weren’t particularly adept at shooting. The Hoosiers were 200th nationally in 3-point shooting and 233rd in free-throw shooting. Someone has to step up from outside.
2. Illinois (23-10, 15-5)
What I like: Brad Underwood isn’t content to let this be a rebuilding season in Champaign. The Fighting Illini were aggressive in the transfer portal, adding Texas Tech guard Terrence Shannon Jr. and Baylor wing Matthew Mayer. The Big 12 was the best top-to-bottom conference in the nation last year, so those guys will boost the IlliniI also like Illinois’ potential with Coleman Hawkins as their primary big. Kofi Cockburn was a dominant force as a traditional post, but Hawkins can score from all over the floor. This could be a very exciting offense to watch.
What I don’t like: Underwood hasn’t shown himself to be all that fond of freshmen, but a freshman will hold the keys to Illinois’ ceiling. 5-star point guard Skyy Clark will be entrusted with replacing Trent Frazier and Andre Curbelo running the Illini offense. It’s a big ask. His adjustment will determine whether the Illini compete for the B1G title or fall down a few notches.
3. Rutgers (18-14, 12-8) What I like: Yeah, that’s right. Rutgers. Other than Indiana, the Scarlet Knights are the only Big Ten team returning 3 players who were all-B1G honorable mention or better last season.One of those players, Paul Mulcahy, will be better suited as Rutgers’ primary point guard than he was playing off the ball with Geo Baker. Mulcahy and alley-oop machine Clifford Omoruyi will have all-B1G seasons. Caleb McConnell is likely to repeat as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Look for incoming transfer Cam Spencer to also have a major scoring impact shooting from long range.What I don’t like: Baker and Ron Harper Jr. were 2 of the best players in program history. Replacing just 1 of them would have been tough. Steve Pikiell has to replace both. Clearly, I’m betting that he will.
4. Michigan (19-15, 11-9)
What I like: The Wolverines were a cut above everyone else in the league heading into next season — until freshmen Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan both decided to stay in the NBA Draft. There’s a chance Michigan’s fall will be even more precipitous than I’ve indicated, but having Hunter Dickinson back should prevent that.