2024-25 Big Ten Basketball Preview

Conference Overview

Join us for our 2024-25 Big Ten Basketball Preview, featuring some of the biggest names in college basketball. Last season, the Big Ten sent Purdue to the NCAA Tournament Final, where they fell to UConn, and now lose two-time Naismith College Player of the Year, Zach Edey, to the NBA. With Edey’s departure and the arrival of UCLA, Oregon, USC, and Washington from the PAC-12, the Big Ten gains a fresh look and promises greater competition.

Purdue, even without Edey, remains a top contender, returning Braden Smith, a favorite for Big Ten Player of the Year. Smith, who ranked second nationally in assists last year, and teammate Fletcher Loyer are expected to lead the Boilermakers without any incoming transfers, a rarity in today’s college landscape.

UCLA enters the Big Ten with a strong transfer class, featuring four high-major projected starters who will complement their key returners to make them a force. Indiana boasts one of the most talented rosters, adding elite transfer Oumar Ballo alongside Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau, though shooting may limit their potential ceiling.

llinois, despite its youth, brings an impressive freshman class with two international stars and a five-star recruit, whose adjustment to Division I will be key for the Illini. Michigan looks to bounce back from a disappointing season with a new coach and impactful transfers aiming to restore their competitive status, while Oregon, led by Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans, Jr., also has breakout potential with its sophomore core.

Ohio State pulled in one of the strongest transfer classes, betting on top recruits from last year who now look to play at their high potential; returnee Bruce Thornton joins Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart, both looking to validate their prospect status. Michigan State, in a similar fashion, leans on returning prospects like Xavier Booker and Jeremy Fears, Jr., whose development will heavily influence the Spartans’ success.

Nebraska and Wisconsin each retained key players despite losing talent, with Nebraska adding underrated all-around guard Rollie Worster. USC, another Big Ten newcomer, stocked up on mid-major talent and Xavier transfer Desmond Claude, who’s expected to play a central role.

Rutgers enters the season with high expectations and a preseason ranking due to five-star freshmen Ace Bailey and Dylan Williams, though depth remains a valid concern. Northwestern and Maryland each lost key players, including Boo Buie and Jahmir Young, but Northwestern brings back key returning starters, while Maryland added standout transfers from the portal and a five-star freshman, Derik Queen.

Iowa and Minnesota each feature potential All-Conference First Team candidates in Payton Sandfort and Dawson Garcia, though both teams will rely on supporting players to keep up in a competitive Big Ten.

Washington arrives with one of the portal’s top grabs in Great Osobor, though questions remain around the players behind him. Similarly, Penn State has All-Conference hopeful Ace Baldwin, Jr., though their returning starters may struggle to compete in the strengthened conference.

The Big Ten is wide open this season with the loss of Edey and new PAC-12 talent adding intrigue. The 2024-25 Big Ten Conference Preview highlights that beyond the top teams, the middle of the conference is tightly packed. This year promises an exciting race for March Madness bids.

Big Ten Basketball Preview: Projected Standings

1. Purdue
2. UCLA
3. Indiana
4. Illinois
5. Michigan
6. Oregon
7. Ohio State
8. Michigan State
9. Wisconsin
10. Nebraska
11. USC
12. Rutgers
13. Northwestern
14. Maryland
15. Iowa
16. Minnesota
17. Washington
18. Penn State

Big Ten Basketball Preview: Projected Award Winners

Player of the Year: Braden Smith, Purdue

Defensive Player of the Year: Oumar Ballo, Indiana

Newcomer of the Year: Oumar Ballo, Indiana

Freshman of the Year: Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Coach of the Year: Matt Painter, Purdue

Big Ten Basketball Preview: Projected All-Conference First Team

Braden Smith, Purdue

Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Payton Sandfort, Iowa

Oumar Ballo, Indiana

Illinois Fighting Illini

Projected Starters:

PG: Kylan Boswell (9.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.6 apg @ Arizona)

SG: Kasparas Jakucionis (FR)

SF: Ty Rodgers (6.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.0 apg)

PF: Ben Humrichous (14.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.9 apg @ Evansville)

C: Tomislav Ivisic (FR)

6M: Will Riley (FR)

Indiana Hoosiers

Projected Starters:

PG: Myles Rice (14.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.8 apg @ Washington State)

SG: Kanaan Carlyle (11.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.7 apg @ Stanford)

SF: Mackenzie Mgbako (12.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.3 apg)

PF: Malik Reneau (15.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.7 apg)

C: Oumar Ballo (12.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Arizona)

6M: Trey Galloway (10.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.6 apg) Injured- Return TBD

Iowa Hawkeyes

Projected Starters:

PG: Brock Harding (3.4 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 2.6 apg)

SG: Drew Thelwell (10.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.2 apg @ Morehead State)

SF: Josh Dix (8.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.7 apg)

PF: Payton Sandfort (16.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.7 apg)

C: Owen Freeman (10.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 apg)

6M: Pryce Sandfort (2.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.4 apg)

Maryland Terrapins

Projected Starters:

PG: Ja’Kobi Gillespie (17.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.2 apg @ Belmont)

SG: Selton Miguel (14.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.2 apg @ USF)

SF: DeShawn Harris-Smith (7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.2 apg)

PF: Julian Reese (13.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.3 apg)

C: Derik Queen (FR)

6M: Jordan Geronimo (5.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.5 apg)

Michigan Wolverines

Projected Starters:

PG: Tre Donaldson (6.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.2 apg @ Auburn)

SG: Roddy Gayle, Jr. (13.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg @ Ohio State)

SF: Nimari Burnett (9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 apg)

PF: Rubin Jones (12.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.7 apg @ North Texas)

C: Vlad Goldin (15.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.7 apg @ FAU)

6M: Danny Wolf (14.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.4 apg @ Yale)

Michigan State Spartans

Projected Starters:

PG: Jeremy Fears, Jr. (3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.3 apg)

SG: Jaden Akins (10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.2 apg)

SF: Frankie Fidler (20.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.6 apg @ Omaha)

PF: Xavier Booker (3.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.2 apg)

C: Szymon Zapala (9.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Longwood)

6M: Tre Holloman (5.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.4 apg)

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Projected Starters:

PG: Lu’Cye Patterson (14.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.5 apg @ Charlotte)

SG: Mike Mitchell, Jr. (10.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.6 apg)

SF: Femi Odukale (10.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.0 apg @ New Mexico State)

PF: Dawson Garcia (17.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.6 apg)

C: Frank Mitchell (12.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Canisius)

6M: Brennan Rigsby (6.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 apg @ Oregon)

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Projected Starters:

PG: Rollie Worster (9.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.5 apg @ Utah)

SG: Connor Essegian (3.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Wisconsin)

SF: Brice Williams (13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg)

PF: Juwan Gary (11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.3 apg)

C: Braxton Meah (5.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Washington)

6M: Sam Hoiberg (3.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.7 apg)

Northwestern Wildcats

Projected Starters:

PG: Jalen Leach (16.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.0 apg @ Fairfield)

SG: Ty Berry (11.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.4 apg)

SF: Nick Martinelli (8.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.1 apg)

PF: Brooks Barnhizer (14.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.6 apg)

C: Matthew Nicholson (5.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg)

6M: Keenan Fitzmorris (10.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.0 apg @ Stony Brook)

Ohio State Buckeyes

Projected Starters:

PG: Bruce Thornton (15.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.8 apg)

SG: Meechie Johnson, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg @ South Carolina)

SF: Micah Parrish (9.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.9 apg @ San Diego State)

PF: Sean Stewart (2.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.2 apg @ Duke)

C: Aaron Bradshaw (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Kentucky)

6M: Ques Glover (14.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.1 apg @ Samford)

Oregon Ducks

Projected Starters:

PG: Jackson Shelstad (12.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg)

SG: TJ Bamba (10.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.8 apg @ Villanova)

SF: Brandon Angel (13.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg @ Stanford)

PF: Kwame Evans, Jr. (7.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 apg)

C: Nate Bittle (10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.8 apg)

6M: Ra’Heim Moss (15.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.0 apg @ Toledo)

Penn State Nittany Lions

Projected Starters:

PG: Ace Baldwin, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 6.0 apg)

SG: D’Marco Dunn (6.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.6 apg)

SF: Nick Kern, Jr. (8.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 apg)

PF: Zach Hicks (8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.0 apg)

C: Yanic Konan Neiderhauser (7.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.3 apg @ Northern Illinois)

6M: Puff Johnson (7.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.2 apg)

Purdue Boilermakers

Projected Starters:

PG: Braden Smith (12.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.5 apg)

SG: Fletcher Loyer (10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)

SF: Camden Heide (3.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.4 apg)

PF: Trey Kaufmann-Renn (6.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 apg)

C: Caleb Furst (2.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg)

6M: Myles Colvin (3.3 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.4 apg)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Projected Starters:

PG: Jamichael Davis (5.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)

SG: Jeremiah Williams (12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.8 apg)

SF: Dylan Harper (FR)

PF: Ace Bailey (FR)

C: Emmanuel Ogbole (2.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Zach Martini (8.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.9 apg @ Princeton)

UCLA Bruins

Projected Starters:

PG: Skyy Clark (13.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.0 apg @ Louisville)

SG: Dylan Andrews (12.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.7 apg)

SF: Kobe Johnson (10.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.3 apg @ USC)

PF: Eric Dailey, Jr. (9.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Oklahoma State)

C: Tyler Bilodeau (14.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Oregon State)

6M: Lazar Stefanovic (11.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 apg)

USC Trojans

Projected Starters:

PG: Clark Slajchert (18.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.9 apg @ Penn)

SG: Desmond Claude (16.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.2 apg @ Xavier)

SF: Chibuzo Agbo (13.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 0.8 apg @ Boise State)

PF: Saint Thomas (19.7 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.2 apg @ Northern Colorado)

C: Josh Cohen (15.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 apg @ UMass)

6M: Terrance Williams II (12.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg @ Michigan)

Washington Huskies

Projected Starters:

PG: Luis Kortright (10.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.7 apg @ Rhode Island)

SG: DJ Davis (13.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.6 apg @ Butler)

SF: Mekhi Mason (14.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.8 apg @ Rice)

PF: Great Osobor (17.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.8 apg @ Utah State)

C: Franck Kepnang (8.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.2 apg)

6M: Zoom Diallo (FR)

Wisconsin Badgers

Projected Starters:

PG: Camren Hunter (16.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.9 apg) 2022-2023 Stats

SG: Max Klesmit (9.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.9 apg)

SF: John Tonje (2.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.4 apg @ Missouri)

PF: Xavier Amos (13.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.2 apg @ Northern Illinois)

C: Steven Crowl (11.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.1 apg)

6M: John Blackwell (8.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.6 apg)

Coming Next

Thank you for reading the 2024-25 Big Ten Basketball Preview. To view the conference preview release schedule, keep up to date with us on X @collegehoopsrpt. If you haven’t already, feel free to check out one of our other conference previews linked below! Next up is the Big 12 Conference. Thank you for reading, and we appreciate all the support!

• America East Conference Preview
• American Athletic Conference Preview
• ACC Conference Preview
• ASUN Conference Preview
• A10 Conference Preview
• Big East Conference Preview
• Big Sky Conference Preview
• Big South Conference Preview

Cover Image: Photo Credit: Big Ten Conference