THE TOURNAMENT TEAMS
Michigan State Spartans 27-4(17-3)
Head Coach: Tom Izzo
22-23: 22-13(11-8), Loss in NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Top 5 Games: Duke, Arizona, Baylor, Illinois, at Purdue
Michigan State returns the best backcourt in the Big Ten with Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard. Spartans also return five other key players and three Top 50 recruits. Izzo will be looking to get back to his first Final Four(and the Big Tens) since 2019 and finally claim a national title after a 23 year drought(for MSU and the Big Ten).
2. Purdue Boilermakers 24-7(15-5)
Head Coach: Matt Painter
22-23: 29-6(15-5), Loss in NCAA 1st Round
Top 5 Games: Gonzaga, Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Michigan State
Purdue had arguably their most successful season in school history. From unranked to a program record 7 weeks at #1. They return the reigning NPOY Zach Edey, a long with their other 4 starters. The Boilermakers are essentially running it back as Painter sets his eyes on Purdue's first Final Four since 1980 and first national title in program history. This team should be hungry after being just the second 1-seed to lose in the 1st Round.
3. Indiana Hoosiers 23-12(12-8)
Head Coach: Mike Woodson
22-23: 23-12(12-8), Loss in NCAA 2nd Round
Top 5 Games: UConn, Kansas, Auburn, Purdue, at Michigan State
Woodson goes into season three in Bloomington with more questions than answers, but more potential at something great than in his two previous seasons. The Hoosiers may have lost all-time great, Trayce Jackson-Davis, but have supplemented the loss with key returnees in the backcourt and great talent in the frontcourt. Indiana's season will hinge on whether it's roster can take the next step in development. If so, it can absolutely compete for a Big Ten championship.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes 23-8(13-7)
Head Coach: Chris Holtmann
22-23: 16-19(5-15)
Top 5 Games: Texas A&M, Alabama, at UCLA, Purdue, at Michigan State
After a disappointing 22-23 season, the Buckeyes look to bounce back with key returnees, a top 15 recruiting class and key transfers. Ohio State had a strong showing in the Big Ten tournament to end the year, where they looked like the team everyone thought they'd be. They lost freshman sensation Brice Sensabaugh but they bring back Bruce Thornton, Zed Key, Felix Okpara and bring in transfer Jamison Battle. Another disappointing season and we may see Holtmann seat on fire.
4. Wisconsin Badgers 21-10(13-7)
Head Coach: Greg Gard
22-23: 20-15(9-11), Loss in NIT Semi-Final
Top 5 Games: Tennessee, Marquette, at Arizona, Michigan State, Purdue
Badgers were another Big Ten squad with a disappointing 22-23. This year they'll bring back Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl and Connor Essegian to lead their charge back towards the top of the Big Ten. Essegian looks to be a breakout star in the conference while Wahl and Hepburn look to take the next steps in a long line of Wisconsin stars and get back to the NCAA tournament.
6. Illinois Fighting Illini 22-9(12-8)
Head Coach: Brad Underwood
22-23: 20-13(11-9), Loss in NCAA 1st Round
Top 5 Games: Marquette, Florida Atlantic, at Tennessee, Missouri, Michigan State
The Illini bring back one of the best players in the Big Ten in Terrence Shannon. They'll need Coleman Hawkins and Dain Dainja to step up big. Underwood will have a big question mark at the point guard position but this team should give the conference fits.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes 19-12(11-9)
Head Coach: Fran McCaffrey
22-23: 19-14(11-9), Loss in NCAA 1st Round
Top 5 Games: at Creighton, at Iowa State, Purdue, at Indiana, at Michigan State
Hawkeyes lose another Murray twin but Payton Sandfort looks like yet another Iowa player to breakout with a big season. The offense should continue to buzz under McCaffrey, the question is, can they defend enough to win games? Sandfort looks like an absolute star in the making, but who else will step up to help?
8. Maryland Terrapins 20-11(11-9)
Head Coach: Kevin Willard, Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
22-23: 22-13(11-9)
Top 5 Games: at Villanova, at UCLA, Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana
Willard enters his 2nd season at Maryland and brings back one of the best guards in the conference. The season will hinge on the Terrapins consistency away from home and who can step up and provide a scoring punch alongside Jahmir Young.
THE REST
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 15-16(8-12)
Head Coach: Steve Pikiell
22-23: 19-15(10-10), Lost NIT 1st Round
Top 5 Games: Princeton, Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio State
10. Penn State Nittany Lions 16-15(7-13)
Head Coach: Mike Rhoades
22-23: 23-14(10-10), Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Top 5 Games: Texas A&M, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana
11. Michigan Wolverines 13-18(6-14)
Head Coach: Juwan Howard
22-23: 18-16(11-9), Lost NIT 2nd Round
Top 5 Games: St. Johns, Memphis, at Oregon, Florida, Michigan State
12. Northwestern Wildcats 14-17(5-15)
Head Coach: Chris Collins
22-23: 22-12(12-8), Lost in NCAA 2nd Round
Top 5 Games: Dayton, Purdue, Arizona State, Michigan State, at Indiana
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers 12-19(4-16)
Head Coach: Fred Hoiberg
22-23: 16-16(9-11)
Top 5 Games: Creighton, Michigan State, at Kansas State, Indiana, Purdue
14. Minnesota Golden Gophers 12-19(3-17)
Head Coach: Ben Johnson
22-23: 9-22(2-17)
Top 5 Games: Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana
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