By Aidan Joly
In 2023, the Big Ten sent eight of its 14 teams to the NCAA tournament, but only one of them got to the second weekend. This has been something of a theme of the Big Ten in recent years.
In 2023-24, can the league change that narrative? Let’s get into each of the fourteen teams that make up the league, one last run with this group before USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon join next summer.
Purdue Boilermakers
2022-23: 29-6 (15-5 Big Ten), lost in Round of 64
Purdue was a number one seed in the NCAA tournament and seemed poised to make a deep run into March.
Fairleigh Dickinson got in the way of that, becoming the second 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in tournament history, a stunning end to what was a dream season before that.
This year, Matt Painter returns 169 of his 175 starts from last season, the centerpiece being Zach Edey, who will again be a top-three player in the country. Meanwhile, Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer were in the starting lineup all season as freshmen and played well. Mason Gillis is back as well.
One new addition is freshman Myles Colvin, a high-level player who should bring a burst of athleticism to the team.
In 2023-24 the Boilermakers look to run it back, and maybe not have its season come to a premature end.
Indiana Hoosiers
2022-23: 23-12 (12-8 Big Ten), lost in Round of 32
Of course, losing first round draft pick Jalen Hood-Schfino and All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis is a high order for the Hoosiers. So, who will step up?
Indiana does have depth, but there are certainly some questions here. Xavier Johnson and Trey Holloway are both key returners, but are they able to take the next step to compete at the top of the Big Ten? Oregon transfer Kel’el Ware has the ability to be one of the best rim protectors in the league, how will he fit into that role? Malik Reneau showed flashes as a freshman, will he come into his own?
Mike Woodson flipped Mackenzie Mgbako from a commitment at Duke, and a pair of transfers in Payton Sparks (Ball State) and Anthony Walker (Miami) should all have solid roles.
This is a team with players who have had varying levels of success, how will it all fit together?
Northwestern Wildcats
2022-23: 22-12 (12-8 Big Ten), lost in Round of 32
Northwestern put together one of the best seasons in program history that lasted in the program’s second-ever NCAA tournament appearance. It will look to replicate that success this year.
All-league guard Boo Buie is back after averaging 17.3 points and 4.5 assists per game in 2022-23. Princeton transfer Ryan Langborn was the Tigers’ second-leading scorer last season, it’s easy to see him being able to make a jump to a starter role in the Big Ten.
Ty Berry had a solid junior season and is sure to have a larger role this season. A seven-footer in the middle in Matthew Nicholson is a prime breakout candidate after averaging 6.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 2022-23.
The big question here is, can the Wildcats sustain success?
Michigan State Spartans
2022-23: 21-12 (11-8 Big Ten), lost in Sweet 16
By Spartan expectations, the 2022-23 regular season was something of a disappointment for Michigan State, but Tom Izzo’s group made up for it with a run to the Sweet 16, the only team in its league to get to that point.
The Spartans are poised to potentially be the best team in the league this season. All five projected to be in the starting lineup are returners. AJ Hoggard is a terrific passing point guard, Tyson Walker averaged 14.1 points per game last season, Jaden Akins shot 42.2% from three, Mady Sissoko is a good rebounder and Malik Hall is a great blend of skill and experience.
A four-man recruiting class is a top-10 one in the country, so there is plenty of depth and room for development. Overall, there is a lot to like about this roster and hopefully the Spartans are able to put it all together.
Maryland Terrapins
2022-23: 22-13 (11-9 Big Ten), lost in Round of 32
It was a solid season for the Terps in Kevin Willard’s first season at the helm. In theory, it wants to take the next step, but there are questions here.
They have three players, Jahmir Young, Donta Scott and Julian Reese, all returners, who make up 60% of a starting lineup that can compete with just about anyone in the league. Young is set to be one of the best players in the conference after putting up 15.5 PPG in 2022-23. A pair of freshmen, Deshawn Harris-Smith and Jamie Kaiser, will likely make up the rest of it. How will those two look?
The bench is also a question mark. Jahari Long is a candidate to step up, but only averaged 2.1 points per game as a junior last season. Indiana transfer Jordan Geronimo was a role player for the Hoosiers, what kind of role will he have in College Park?
How quickly will this team get up to speed? That’s the question here.
Illinois Fighting Illini
2022-23: 20-13 (11-9 Big Ten), lost in Round of 64
It was a bit of a tumultuous season for the Illini and coach Brad Underwood, a season that ended in the first round of the tournament at the hands of Arkansas.
Coming into the season, the Illini might be ranked a little bit lower than they should be and that’s due to the point guard position. At least starting the season, don’t be surprised to see it done by committee with Ty Rodgers and freshman Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, at least until they see what they have in the latter.
Terrence Shannon, Coleman Hawkins and Dain Dainja all return after putting up decent seasons in 2022-23. Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask is likely to have a starter role.
Oregon transfer Quincy Gurrier and returners Sencire Harris and Luke Goode will all have bench roles. Harris is interesting in seeing how the former four-star recruit takes the next step as a sophomore.
Iowa Hawkeyes
2022-23: 19-14 (11-9 Big Ten), lost in Round of 64
For the past few years the Hawkeyes have had a “guy,” whether it be one of the Murray brothers or Luka Garza. This year’s Hawkeyes team doesn’t really have that. Valparaiso transfer Ben Krikke was one of the best players in the Missouri Valley Conference. Tony Perkins took a big step last year on both sides of the ball, so he might be a candidate to do so from the guard position.
Payton Sandfort is another to expect a big year from, and keep an eye on little brother Pryce Sandfort, who comes into the program as a freshman. It will be interesting to see how he does as a first-year player.
Patrick McCaffrey, the coach’s son, has some experience to his name. The Hawkeyes also have a pair of freshmen bigs in Owen Freeman and Ladji Dembele who may be able to play impact minutes at some point during the year.
This being said, this is probably a team that will be in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten, which should result in a tournament appearance.
Michigan Wolverines
2022-23: 18-16 (11-9 Big Ten), lost in NIT second round
This team is really going to come down to how Jaelin Llewellyn performs. He only played eight games this past season before tearing his ACL, ending his season and with it, the Wolverines’ chances at making a deep postseason run.
Dug McDaniel and Tarris Reed will also be key for the Wolverines andboth should have some decent roles for this season. Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua is a solid addition as well. Off the bench, former top prospect Nimari Byrnett is suddenly a senior and will try to return to form.
This Michigan team has a lot of names, but a lot of questions coming with it. How will Juwan Howard’s group look?
Penn State Nittany Lions
2022-23: 23-14 (10-10 Big Ten), lost in Round of 32
Penn State’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2011 and first win in the tournament since 2001 led to coach Micah Shrewsberry leaving to take the same job at Notre Dame.
In his place enter Mike Rhoades, the former VCU head coach. Along with him came point guard Ace Baldwin, the 2022-23 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as well as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. In three seasons, Rhoades and Baldwin won 68 games together. Nick Kern also followed Rhoades to VCU and be a solid depth piece. Returner Kanye Clary will back up Baldwin.
A pair of North Carolina transfers in Puff Johnson and D’Marco Dunn come in, both looking for new beginnings after a disappointing season in Chapel Hill. Georgetown transfer Qudus Wahab and Miami transfer Favour Aire are two good pieces in the middle, although Wahab figures to be the starter in the middle. One intriguing piece is Kansas City transfer Rayquawndis Mitchell, who was second team All-Summit League after putting up 17.3 points per game.
There are certainly lots of intriguing pieces and the season can go many different ways for the Nittany Lions. Probably the biggest wild card in the league.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2022-23: 19-15 (10-10 Big Ten), lost in NIT first round
This roster is another interesting one. Replacing Paul Mulcahy and Cam Spencer is a tall task.
Three of the five starters, Derek Simpson, Mawot Mag and Cliff Omoruyi, are all returners. Simpson showed some flashes as a freshman, Mag is one of the best defenders in the league, provided he stays healthy and Omoruyi should make a run at all-league honors.
Massachusetts transfer Noah Fernandes fills into a starter role after putting up big numbers for the Minutemen in 2022-23 and should be one of the main scorers. Gavin Griffiths is a sharpshooter who should play impact minutes as a freshman.
FIU transfer Austin Williams and returners Aundre Hyatt and Oskar Palmquist will all have depth roles off the bench.
The big question is staying healthy. If they can do that, it could be a good season in Piscataway.
Wisconsin Badgers
2022-23: 20-14 (9-11 Big Ten), lost in NIT semifinals
Lots of roster continuity for the Badgers this off-season. Wisconsin brings back 157 of its 175 starts in 2022-23 and might as well have a sixth starter in St. John’s transfer AJ Storr, who will almost certainly be first to come off the bench each night.
Connor Essegian and Max Klesmit both were decent last season, but were inconsistent at times. Tyler Wahl is one of the best mid-range players in the country and is great off the block, he averaged 10.9 points per game on 48.2% shooting. Chucky Hepburn shot the ball well as a point guard, but dealt with some turnover issues. He needs to be better there.
Expect another step from center Stephen Crowl, who shot 51% from the field in 2022-23.
It’s clear that there is a lot of roster continuity, like just mentioned. After a mediocre season, can the Badgers take a step up?
Nebraska Cornhuskers
2022-23: 16-16 (9-11 Big Ten), no postseason
It was another mediocre season for the Huskers.
They key that might make this Huskers team go is Keisei Tominaga, who is one of the best shooters in the country and took a big leap as a sophomore in 2022-23, averaging 13.1 points per game on 50.3% shooting, including 40% from three.
The other starting guard is Jarron Coleman, who put up 14.3 points per game at Ball State this past season. He has 86 career starts to his name, including 21 at Missouri in 2021-22. in Charlotte transfer Brice Williams is a swing player who averaged 13.8 points per game and is a career 39.5% three point shooter.
Returner Juwan Gary is a capable forward, and Bradley transfer Rienk Mast was a first team All-MVU player last year.
Off the bench, New Mexico transfer Josiah Allick has 84 career starts to his name and CJ Wilcher started 24 games for the Nebraska last year.
There is some interesting talent on this roster, it will cpme down to how these players are able to gel together.
Ohio State Buckeyes
2022-23: 16-19 (5-15 Big Ten), no postseason
After an incredibly disappointing season, coach Chris Holtmann has put together a roster with both talent and depth.
One key piece is Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle, who once averaged 17.5 points per game in the Big Ten, but took something of a step back in 2022-23. Still a good player, but he will look to get back to that form.
Meanwhile, Bruce Thornton will look to build off of a good freshman season, freshman Scotty Middleton is very good. Senior Zed Key is one of the better paint players in the league; he led the team in rebounding (7.5) and was finished second in blocks. Meanwhile, Roddy Gayle is a big breakout candidate as a sophomore.
Penn State transfer Evan Mahaffey is a stout defensive players who should get even better as a sophomore. Depending on how things go, he could get starter minutes at some point. Taison Chatman is an intriguing prospect. Another freshman, Devin Royal, has skill that certainly can translate to the Big Ten.
All if this talent and depth makes it all but a certainly that it won’t be another bad season in Columbus.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
2022-23: 9-22 (2-17 Big Ten), no postseason
It was a disaster of a season for Ben Johnson and the Gophers, but they re-tooled in the portal.
Most notably those additions come in the backcourt in Mike Mitchell, who averaged 11.4 points per game last season at Pepperdine and Elijah Hawkins, who started 55 games over two seasons at Howard and averaged 12.9 points per game in that time. Both are well-rounded players.
Returners Pharrel Payne and Dawson Garcia both showed flashes last year and will look to take another step up in 2023-24. Freshman Cam Christie, the younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie, has high upside, possibly the most of anyone on this roster.
Joshua Ola-Joseph can play both forward positions, while Braden Carrington is back healthy and ready to make a push. Isaiah Ihlen, Kadyn Betts, Parker Fox and Jack Wilson are depth pieces.
Minnesota will look to get out of the basement of the Big Ten. The Gophers haven’t finished higher than 12th in the league each of the past four years and will try to avoid a third straight last place finish.
AJ Hoops 