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2 B1G programs land in top 5 of ESPN’s way-too-early rankings for 2023-24 season
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A pair of B1G programs were favored on ESPN’s latest way-too-early top 25. Both of these programs were inside the top 10 on the list.
Even though the NCAA Tournament didn’t go how Purdue fans wanted it to, the Boilermakers will still be a tough team to beat now that Zach Edey is coming back. With all five starters returning, they will be just as good if not better than last season, coming in at No. 3 on the list.
Here’s what Borzello had to say about the decision:
Purdue made the biggest rise following the withdrawal deadline, thanks to the return of Zach Edey. The reigning Wooden Award winner took it to the final day but opted to return to West Lafayette, Indiana, where he will once again be the most dominant player in college basketball. Matt Painter now has all five starters back from a team that won both the Big Ten regular-season and conference tournament championships and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament before the stunning upset to 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson.
Borzello also predicted what Purdue’s starting five will look like:
Braden Smith (9.7 PPG)
Fletcher Loyer (11.0 PPG)
Ethan Morton (3.8 PPG)
Mason Gillis (6.8 PPG)
Zach Edey (22.3 PPG)
Tom Izzo’s Michigan State team should be a force in 2023 as well. The Spartans are returning depth and have a solid 2023 recruiting class on its way to East Lansing. Borzello put them at No. 4.
Borzello explained what made him put the Spartans at No. 4:
We really liked Tom Izzo’s team entering the offseason, and that was before Tyson Walker and Malik Hall announced they were taking advantage of their extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 and returning to East Lansing. Then A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins decided to return to the Spartans after testing the NBA draft waters. Michigan State now has experience and a high-level backcourt, as well as added depth and explosiveness with the arrival of five-star recruits Xavier Booker, Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears.
This is how the Michigan State lineup could look in 2023, according to Borzello:
Tyson Walker (14.8 PG)
A.J. Hoggard (12.9 PPG)
Jaden Akins (9.8 PPG)
Malik Hall (8.9 PPG)
Xavier Booker (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
Both the Boilermakers and Spartans will be looking to perform even better than last season in 2023.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.