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B1G basketball preview: Ranking the top 15 players for the 2023-24 season
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All eyes will be on Zach Edey this season, and with good reason. The 7-foot-4 center is back at Purdue for his senior season as the reigning consensus national player of the year.
But the Big Ten is more than only 1 player, as there’s a deep contingent of versatile players who will again make the conference one of the best in the country. Let’s count them down, ranking the top-15 players in the B1G on the eve of the 2023-24 season.
15. Braden Smith, Purdue
Purdue is hoping that Smith, in his 2nd season in West Lafayette, can turn up the aggression on the offensive end — and become part of a nice outside-inside combination with Zach Edey — while also cutting down the turnovers. It’s that latter point, however, that might be a work-in-progress, after he committed almost 2 per game last season and had moments when they came in bunches. But the good outweighs the bad, especially when Smith is trying to influence the Boilermakers as a scorer and a passer.
14. Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana
Indiana is in search of consistent interior scoring after the graduation of Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Mgbako is a big-time candidate to pick up the slack. One of the country’s premier recruits, the 6-9 power forward is going to be thrown into the Indiana front court from Day 1. Asking him to average a near double-double probably isn’t too tall an order for the former McDonald’s All-American.
13. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Thornton played 2nd fiddle to Brice Sensabaugh last season. The sophomore point guard will have much more responsibility as a scorer this year. Thornton can be a dynamic multi-tool player; he’s a good shooter with quickness to be able to get into the lane, and he can create for others. Plus, he’s a solid defender who might be poised to take another step forward and be one of the Big Ten’s lock-down perimeter players.
12. Jamison Battle, Ohio State
Yes, Ohio State. Battle, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, has transferred to Columbus for his final season, hoping that he can be a centerpiece for a Buckeyes team hoping for a big rebound. Battle is hoping for a bounce-back year as well, after injuries sapped him of some of his offensive explosiveness last season. It was only 2 years ago that Battle led the Gophers in scoring at 17.5 points per game.
11. Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska
The Keisei Tominaga Show continues this season, after the Japanese star broke out late last season for the Cornhuskers. Now, the lefty sharp-shooter is the go-to scorer for Nebraska, with his array of offensive moves making him not only beloved in Lincoln but most of the rest of the Big Ten. Perhaps the latter will lessen this season, however, if Tominaga continues to torment opponents.
10. Chucky Hepburn, Wisconsin
In his 1st 2 seasons in Madison, Hepburn developed a reputation for the dramatic, with an ability to hit big shots in key moments. There’s little reason to think it won’t continue this season, especially with Hepburn joined by a veteran group of familiar faces. But Hepburn is the one who makes it all work, because he can get the ball to where it’s supposed to go. And last season, he took a step forward as a shooter too, hitting better than 40 percent of his 3-pointers.
9. Julian Reese, Maryland
Reese returns to Maryland for another season after becoming one of the most efficient interior scorers in the Big Ten last year, when he averaged 11.4 points on 63 percent shooting. He and veteran Jahmir Young are one of the best forward-guard combinations in the conference. The scary thing (for everyone else in the league): Reese is probably only scratching the surface; he will likely turn into one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten this season.
8. Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Garcia made a big impact on the Gophers from his first moment on campus last season after transferring from Marquette, with the forward averaging more than 15 points and nearly 7 rebounds per game. With Minnesota rebuilding — again — Garcia will get plenty of opportunities as a scorer.
7. Tyson Walker, Michigan State
Walker can run a little hot and cold, but when he’s hot, the shooting guard can pour in points in bunches and becomes one of the most unstoppable players in the Big Ten. He has a knack too for thriving when the lights are shining brightest, like in games vs. Purdue, Indiana and Marquette, the last during the NCAA Tournament. With greater comfort in his 2nd season in East Lansing, Walker might be on the verge of a very productive season.
6. Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers
Omoruyi might be the premier defensive big man in a Big Ten that features a number of very good ones. The lengthy 6-11 center has 128 blocks during his career at Rutgers, but he’s developed into more than simply a rim protector, averaging nearly a double-double (13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds) last season. And there might not be a better tone-setter for the Scarlet Knights’ aggressive, defensive style than the big man in the middle.
5. Boo Buie, Northwestern
A Northwestern veteran, Buie has very few holes in his game, as he’s a good shooter and scorer, solid distributor and a great perimeter defender. And he’s a savvy player who seems to be able to will the Wildcats to wins, as he did last season in getting Northwestern back to the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd time in program history. He loses back-court mate Chase Audige this season, meaning he’ll have even more of the burden on his more-than-capable shoulders.
4. AJ Hoggard, Michigan State
The growing pains Hoggard experienced during his first couple seasons for Michigan State are paying off now, as the senior has developed into one of the best point guards in the country. He can score himself (12.9 points last season) but can also get others involved (5.9 assists) and is great on the glass from the perimeter (3.7 rebounds). With more offensive weapons this season, the Spartans are going to look to push the tempo more often, and Hoggard might flourish.
3. Jahmir Young, Maryland
Young has been a great player for a long time, first at Charlotte then last season at Maryland, totaling more than 1,900 points, 600 rebounds and 350 assists during his career. He’s a difficult guard for nearly every defender in the Big Ten, because he can not only shoot the 3-pointer (31 percent) but can race his way into the lane. And when he gets hot, watch out. Young was probably the biggest reason why the Terrapins made a significant jump last season — and he will be the key to their success again this year.
2. Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
There seems to be no 2nd gear for Shannon, the dynamic combo guard for the Fighting Illini. He goes 100 percent all the time, which means he’s putting defenders on their heels frequently, and it helps too that he can score from all 3 levels, from beyond the arc, in the mid-range and at the basket. If you’re looking for a player to change the momentum of a game, or just take it over, Shannon is the guy.
1. Zach Edey, Purdue
Edey is the most influential player in all of college basketball. The gigantic big man for the Boilermakers is a menace around the basket because he can throw the ball down but also has great touch in his post moves. He’s also a great rebounder and has turned himself into an above-average rim protector. Where can he be better? Perhaps in his last season at Purdue, Edey will distribute the ball more frequently, punishing teams when they bring the double (or triple) team.
Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.