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Although Indiana starts the season as the favorite in the Big Ten, the league might be as wide-open as ever.
Half the league, at least, has a chance to win the conference championship, which should make for an exciting 2022-23 season. But as we’re here at the start, let’s place the B1G teams 1 through 14 in our 1st weekly power rankings.
14. Minnesota
Ben Johnson’s Golden Gophers are likely to open the season without 3 starters, an injury situation that could stunt Minnesota’s growth as it looks to continue the program’s rebuild. Star Jamison Battle, one of the best scorers in the Big Ten, is week-to-week after having foot surgery, while fellow starters Braeden Carrington and Dawson Garcia are day-to-day. All 3 missed the Gophers’ final exhibition game late last week.
13. Northwestern
Northwestern has talent at the guard spots in Boo Buie and Chase Audige, but gigantic voids in the paint, at least from known products, so it’s tough to see how the Wildcats can compete on a daily basis in the Big Ten. Losing Ryan Young and Pete Nance to the transfer portal, then not replacing them, nuked Northwestern’s chance at a step forward. Are Chris Collins’ days numbered?
12. Nebraska
Speaking of … it seems the clock is ticking on Fred Hoiberg, who enters his 4th season as the head coach at Nebraska still looking for a breakthrough. He’ll again try to rely on transfers to jump start the program — 5 in all — with the biggest impact likely to come from former North Dakota State guard Sam Griesel, who averaged 14.3 points and 6.6 rebounds last season. Between the veteran newcomers and freshmen, including 4-star Ramel Lloyd Jr., Nebraska might be deeper than in previous seasons. But does it have enough high-impact players?
11. Maryland
In his 1st season in College Park, veteran coach Kevin Willard sought immediate help through the transfer portal and pulled in a couple of Maryland natives in point guard Jahmir Young (Charlotte) and shooting guard Don Carey (Georgetown). The Terrapins don’t have a ton of depth — Maryland is hoping for a big year from returning big man Julian Reese — but if Willard can get big performances out of the trio and a few others, maybe Maryland can make some noise.
10. Penn State
In his 2nd season in Happy Valley, Micah Shrewsberry is adding talent to his Penn State roster, bringing in 5 freshmen and 3 transfers. They’ll join the Nittany Lions’ 2 leading scorers from last season, Jalen Pickett and Seth Lundy, and forward Myles Dread. But Shrewsberry might have to lean on a couple of rookies to carry a bulk of the load on the inside, mainly freshmen Demetrius Lilley and Kebba Njie, and that could be troublesome in the big man-heavy B1G.
9. Rutgers
Although the stars are departed for Steve Pikiell’s Rutgers’ team, a great nucleus remains, and that gives the Scarlet Knights hope once again that they can surprise in the Big Ten. Veterans Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy and Cliff Omoruyi will be asked to carry a more heavy burden this season, as they try to get Rutgers back to a 3rd straight NCAA Tournament. But there are concerns: Does Rutgers have any depth? And is McConnell’s knee OK? The defensive star might miss the start of the season because of a “tweak.”
8. Wisconsin
Greg Gard will have to replace the heart and soul of his basketball team, as Johnny Davis and Brad Davison (finally!) are departed. But there might be enough remaining, along with the additions, for a top-half finish in the Big Ten, particularly if Chucky Hepburn, Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl quickly settle in to lead roles. Jordan Davis will try to fill the hole left by his twin’s departure to the NBA. But Wisconsin is without a lot of size and known depth, which could put a cap on the Badgers’ potential.
7. Michigan State
The Spartans will be able to score from the perimeter, thanks to Malik Hall, AJ Hoggard, Tyson Walker, Jaden Akins and others, who all might combine to take a ton of 3-pointers for Michigan State this season. But Tom Izzo’s group will need to find a way to get interior production. Forward Joey Hauser can assist there, although he’s more of a face-up threat offensively. Junior Mady Sissoko and freshman Jaxon Kohler will have to hold their own in the paint, particularly defending and rebounding.
6. Iowa
Iowa is likely to have a more balanced offensive attack this season, as many of players who served roles around star Keegan Murray last season have returned. Of course, Keegan is departed, leaving his twin Kris Murray to try to fill the vacated role. Fran McCaffery has a personnel question to answer at the point: Will Tony Perkins, who has been more of an off-ball guard, slide over to run the show? Or will McCaffery turn to junior Ahron Ulis? It seems like much of the rest of the starting lineup is set.
5. Purdue
Matt Painter has a lot to build around in 2022-23, particularly with a front court that might be even deeper and more versatile than last season, and that says a lot considering Trevion Williams is graduated. But 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey is a matchup nightmare for almost everyone, and Mason Gillis, Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman-Renn are as solid a front-court rotation as one can find in the B1G. But Purdue might start 2 freshman guards, which is concerning. And will this Purdue team defend better than last season? No word yet on that.
4. Ohio State
Chris Holtmann is going to need big-time contributions from newcomers if Ohio State is to challenge at the top of the Big Ten. But it’s a possibility, considering the Buckeyes pulled in Tanner Holden, who averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per his career at Wright State, and Isaac Likekele, who totaled 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 400 assists in 4 seasons at Oklahoma State. But Holtmann would love to get veteran Justice Sueing back, after he missed most of last season with a groin injury and has missed preseason time this year with a bad ankle.
3. Michigan
Michigan has one of the best players in the Big Ten, if not the best player in the Big Ten, in center Hunter Dickinson, and that’s a great place for Juwan Howard to start with his roster. Luckily for him, he has much more than that, however. Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn will take over at the point, while Jett Howard, the coach’s son, should be able to provide a ton of scoring punch. Howard’s group might not have the most size, outside of Dickinson, but it’ll move the ball and score.
2. Illinois
It’s a new look for Brad Underwood and the Fighting Illini in Champaign, but it’s a look that could bring a ton of excitement. Newcomers Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech) and Matthew Mayer (Baylor) bring high-level experience to the roster, but watch out for the freshmen too, like Skyy Clark and Ty Rodgers. Forward Coleman Hawkins is the most familiar returnee, and might be a double-double machine now that he’s a full-time starter.
1. Indiana
The Hoosiers will need to adjust to being the league favorite at the start of the season, and it might not be easy to do. But it’s warranted to have IU No. 1, because of the ability of returnees Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson and Xavier Johnson. Freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino is a big-time prospect who could give the Hoosiers a big-time scoring punch. But whether Indiana not only starts the year at No. 1, but finishes it there, will likely be determined by how well the Hoosiers shoot from the perimeter. We shall see.
Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.