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Imagine for a moment: UCLA and USC are joining the Big Ten ahead of the 2022-23 men’s basketball season, not in two years. How would the Bruins and Trojans fare? Illini Beat author Scott Richey addresses this question:
1.UCLA
The return of Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell is a good start. So will five-star newcomers Amari Bailey and Adem Bona be added.
2.Indiana
Continuity is making its home in Bloomington, Indiana this season. The potential downside? Basically, the same Hoosiers finished ninth in the Big Ten last season.
3. Illinois
Talent is not a question for the 2022-23 Illini. How a mostly new team (eight newcomers, four returnees) comes together.
4.Michigan
The addition of Dukes Joey Baker and newcomer Youssef Khayat doesn’t move the needle as much as a Caleb Houstan/Moussa Diabate return would have.
5. State of Michigan
Tom Izzo stuck with 10 fellows even after losing Max Christie. Will the Spartans regret the choice? Stay tuned.
6. State of Ohio
How the Buckeyes’ transfer collection fares following the departure of Malaki Branham and EJ Liddell is a key question.
7.USC
USC is like UCLA — two key returnes and two five-star freshmen — but without the same depth of backup as the Bruins.
8. Purdue
Utah transfer David Jenkins Jr. is helping Purdue’s backcourt but the Boilermakers may still have to lean on their newcomers.
9.Minnesota
Forwards Jamison Battle and Dawson Garcia are as good as anyone in the league. The gopher guards? Maybe not.
10.Rutger
Rutgers could only go as far as Paul Mulcahy takes them. Serious.
11. Iowa
Kris Murray doing his best Keegan Murray impression could propel the Hawkeyes into the top half of the league.
12.Wisconsin
In other twin news, Jordan Davis is not Johnny Davis. The Badgers have Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl to lean on.
13. Maryland
Maryland has a potential program. Story. Location. But first-year coach Kevin Willard still faces a steep rise.
14. Penn State
The biggest off-season news is that the student division is moving behind the team benches at the Bryce Jordan Center. Small steps.
15. Northwest
Boo Buie and Chase Audige are caught between the Wildcats and a Big Ten drop to the bottom.
16. Nebraska
Most notably, Fred Hoiberg’s contract restructuring in February reduced his buyout by 40.5 percent.
Scott Richey is a reporter covering college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email address is [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter (@srrichey).