2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Preview Projected Standings
Rutgers
The 2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Preview has the Scarlet Knights leaning on a few promising freshmen in Geo Baker and Mamadou Doucoure and junior swingman Corey Sanders. Sanders will lead the team, but Rutgers is still in rebuilding mode for second-year coach Steve Pikiell.
Illinois
The much-traveled Brad Underwood will have a tough time keeping the Illini competitive this year, even with stud grad transfer Mark Alstork from Illinois State. One player to keep your eye on is freshman and reigning Illinois Mr. Basketball, Mark Smith who should get considerable playing time.
Nebraska
Times are rough at Nebraska for coach Tim Miles, with several players transferring out of the program. The lone bright spot is Georgetown transfer Isaac Copeland coming in and giving life to a Nebraska team that had so much promise just a few years ago.
Ohio State
Major rebuild year for Ohio State and new coach Chris Holtman. Outside of veterans Jae’sean Tate, Keita Bates-Diop and Kam Williams, the talent is low at OSU. Lots of freshmen will be getting ample playing time, but the Buckeyes are rebuilding for a few years.
Iowa
The Def Pen 2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Preview notes that Fran McCaffrey’s Hawkeyes have to replace the production of last season’s Big Ten leading scorer, Peter Jok. However, center Tyler Cook and guard Jordan Bohannon will try to fill that void, but the depth and talent of the Hawkeyes this year are not going to be enough to be a big player in the conference race this year.
Indiana
The Archie Miller era has officially started at IU after taking over for the much-maligned Tom Crean. The Hoosiers roster took a major blow from the NBA draft by losing OG Anunoby and Thomas Bryant. Also, they lost sharpshooter James Blackmon to graduation. The cupboard wasn’t completely empty with guard Robert Johnson, forward Juwon Morgan and small forward Colin Hartman who is back from injury. This looks to be a rebuilding year for IU to build momentum for the 2018-2019 season.
Penn State
The most underrated player in the 2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Preview is PSU’s Tony Carr. Carr, along with sophomore forwards Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins are a promising young trio for Pat Chamber’s squad. Unfortunately, with a cupcake schedule, it might be hard to convince the tournament committee to give PSU an at-large birth. Don’t be shocked to see them stun a couple of teams in the upper echelon of the league.
Wisconsin
Will probably eat my words for putting Wisconsin so low, but with mainstays, Nigel Hayes and Bronson Koenig graduating, the Badgers are only bringing back one starter. That starter happens to be Ethan Happ who will contend for Big Ten player of the year and will squarely be the leader of the Badgers. With Greg Gard’s style of play, the Badgers will always be a tough game, but may be tough for them to enter the upper tier of the Big Ten this year. Look for Kobe King and Brad Davison to compete for minutes early in the season.
Mo Wagner (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)/caption]Michigan
Coming off of a Sweet 16 appearance, Michigan looks to try to replicate their run and lean on big man Mo Wagner. Guards, Jaaron Simmons (Ohio grad transfer), Duncan Robinson and Muhammed Ali Abdur Rahkman look to add solid outside shooting for a Michigan team that lost a lot of upperclassman talent from last year. The wildcard player is UK transfer Charles Matthews, who didn’t get a lot of playing time at UK, but has a considerable amount of talent.
Maryland
Maryland lost plenty of talent from last year’s roster with the departures of Melo Trimble and Jake Layman to the NBA, but the roster isn’t devoid of capable players. There is a lot of upside for Maryland with the sophomore trio of Justin Jackson, Anthony Cowan and Kevin Huerter. The trio is looking to take over as leaders of the team with grad transfer Sean Obi as added stability.
Northwestern
Fresh off their first NCAA tournament birth, the Wildcats are looking to make another appearance by relying on their backcourt of Bryant McIntosh and Scotty Lindsey. Derek Pardon will provide stability in the interior. Look for Chris Collins to get freshman Anthony Gaines integrated into the mix early to give NU some needed depth and more athleticism.
Minnesota
Richard Pitino is in his 5th year at Minnesota and the Gopher faithful are expecting big things from a team that is building off of a #5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Expect local talent Amir Coffey to make the sophomore leap for the Gophers and join Nate Mason as a powerful scoring combo. It’ll be hard for Pitino to keep Arkansas transfer Davonte Fitzgerald and freshman Isiah Washington off the floor as well.
Purdue
Matt Painter’s Boilermakers return four senior starters, led by Vince Edwards and Isaac Haas. Despite the loss of Caleb Swanigan to the NBA, Purdue will have a deeper bench than last season with projected impact players, Carsen Edwards and JUCO transfer Eden Ewing. Look for Purdue’s experience and deadly outside shooting to shine this season. Expect them to be a dark horse candidate to crash the Final Four.
Michigan State
The Def Pen 2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Preview has the Spartans in a class of their own with national player of the year candidate Miles Bridges leading the way after deciding to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft. MSU has the perfect mix of youth and experience with Josh Langford, Nick Ward and Cassius Winston having a year under their belt and five-star Jaren Jackson added to the mix. Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter add senior experience to a team that is arguably Tom Izzo’s most talented in East Lansing.
Conference Player of the Year:
Miles Bridges
All Conference 1st Team
G: Nate Mason, Minnesota
F: Vince Edwards, Purdue
F: Ethan Happ, Wisconsin
F: Miles Bridges, Michigan State
C: Mo Wagner, Michigan
