| Illinois | Illinois slots in at No. 2 with one of the most intriguing and internationally flavored rosters in the country. The Ivisic brothers headline the frontcourt — Tomislav (5.3 rating, 17th nationally) and Zvonimir (3.6, 116th) — giving Illinois elite size, skill, and instant chemistry. Mihailo Petrovic (4.6, 38th) brings major two-way upside from overseas. Kylan Boswell (3.9, 84th) returns to lead the backcourt, while Andrej Stojakovic (3.5, 135th) adds smooth wing scoring. David Mirkovic (3.0, 233rd), Ben Humrichous (2.9, 258th), and Ty Rodgers (2.9, 259th) offer rotation depth, though Rodgers’ status could impact their physicality. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (1.8, 685th) supplies energy in limited minutes. With a balanced mix of European skill, returning experience, and positionless size, Illinois is built to contend — and if the pieces mesh, the ceiling is Final Four-level. |
| Indiana | Indiana ranks 12th in the Big Ten and 42nd nationally with a 2.7 team rating, The roster feels more like a mid-major all-star squad than a serious Big Ten contender. Tucker DeVries leads the way but is somewhat overrated at 128th nationally with a 3.5 rating; his limited sample size—just eight games last year—featured unsustainable shooting and questionable health. A more realistic ceiling for DeVries might be closer to a 4.4 rating, around the 45th-best player nationally. Supporting him are Reed Bailey (169th) and Luke Goode (194th), who add depth, but Indiana’s shooting struggles and tougher schedule loom large. Lamar Wilkerson (231st, 3.0 rating) is a potential breakout star, comparable to transfers like Lu’Cye Patterson and Ace Baldwin, but it’s unclear if he can perform consistently against Big Ten-level competition. Coach Mike DeVries has a solid background but lacks a proven high ceiling, with much of his past success tied to coaching his son at Drake. |
| Iowa | Iowa ranks 11th in the Big Ten and 38th nationally with a 2.5 team rating, slipping from 62nd last year. Their biggest asset is McCullom, arguably one of the best talent maximizers in college basketball despite limited Division 1 experience. Key contributors returning include Drake (52nd nationally) and Bennett Stirtz (3.7 rating, 95th), who drives the offense. The team’s ceiling largely depends on Alvaro Folgueiras (2.0 rating, 580th), who hasn’t yet shown significant production and raises questions about his upside compared to similar players. Other prospects to watch are Brendan Hausen (3.1, 203rd) and Tavion Banks (2.6, 340th). Iowa’s success hinges on unlocking hidden potential and consistency. |
| Maryland | Maryland sits 13th in the Big Ten and 43rd nationally with a 2.6 rating, a noticeable drop from 10th last year. Pharrel Payne (4.9 rating, 28th nationally) is the team’s key upside player but faces the challenge of earning consistent playing time — something he struggled with last season despite his elite production against a top-10 strength of schedule. Maryland’s talent pool is thinner overall, increasing the pressure on Payne to step up and carry a heavier load. Other contributors include Myles Rice (2.9 rating, 250th) and Elijah Saunders (2.5, 363rd), but depth remains a significant concern. Coach Buzz Williams’ system often underperforms due to limited shooting and a deep rotation, making talent maximization difficult. Maryland’s success will depend heavily on Payne’s minutes and production. |
| Michigan | Michigan ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten and 14th nationally, anchored by a strong frontcourt duo. Morez Johnson (4.5 rating, 47th nationally) and Yaxel Lendeborg (4.1, 63rd) give Michigan a balanced and productive frontline. While Yaxel showed huge promise last year, this season his impact is more uncertain, especially with the arrival of Elliot Cadeau (3.1, 210th), raising questions about role fit and offensive flow. The supporting cast is deep and talented, with Nimari Burnett (3.6, 126th), Trey McKenney (3.5, 147th), Roddy Gayle Jr. (3.4, 159th), and Aday Mara (3.4, 160th) all inside the top 210 nationally. Michigan’s success hinges on finding clear roles and rhythm, but if they do, they will be serious contenders for the Big Ten crown. |
| Michigan State | Michigan State ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 20th nationally, led by Hall of Famer Tom Izzo but facing notable shooting limitations. The Spartans lack a one-and-done star to rescue them, though talent remains solid. Coen Carr (4.5 rating, 48th nationally) and Jaxon Kohler (4.2, 58th) anchor the frontcourt with size and skill. Jeremy Fears Jr. (3.3, 175th) runs point, supported by Carson Cooper (2.8, 285th) and Kaleb Glenn (injured out of season) in the rotation. Michigan State’s classic grind-it-out style clashes with their shooting woes; the addition of sharpshooter Trey Fort (1.9 rating, 650th) offers little spacing upgrade. Without a significant leap in shooting, the ceiling is limited, though the floor remains solid under Izzo’s steady leadership. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota ranks 16th in the Big Ten and 55th nationally with a 2.3 rating, improving slightly from 83rd last year. Newcomer Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (2.9 rating, 256th nationally) joins Coach Ben Medved from Colorado State, adding valuable continuity and experience. While Minnesota’s talent isn’t overwhelming, Medved’s track record of overachievement makes them a team to watch. Supporting players Robert Vaihola (2.7, 308th) and Bobby Durkin (2.6, 341st) provide solid depth and could help stabilize the rotation. Expect Minnesota to lean on strong coaching and teamwork as they look to climb the conference ranks. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska ranks 14th in the Big Ten and 48th nationally with a 2.6 rating, slightly down from 46th last season. Despite never winning an NCAA tournament game, the Huskers hope to maintain their recent level with key returnee Rienk Mast (3.4 rating, 157th nationally) leading the way. Shooters Connor Essegian (136th) and Pryce Sandfort (284th) add valuable floor spacing. Mast’s health will be critical for Nebraska’s success, as staying strong could help offset some roster losses. Overall, Nebraska faces an uphill battle to break through but has some pieces in place to remain competitive. |
| Northwestern | Northwestern ranks 15th in the Big Ten and 52nd nationally with a 2.3 rating, down from 44th last year. Nick Martinelli leads the way as a clear standout, ranked 40th nationally with a 4.5 rating. Coach Chris Collins remains an underrated figure who consistently maximizes his roster’s potential despite limited talent. However, beyond Martinelli, Northwestern’s depth is thin, and the overall roster takes a significant step back, raising questions about their ability to compete consistently in a tough conference. |
| Ohio State | Ohio State ranks seventh in the Big Ten and 22nd nationally, boasting a roster loaded with top-tier talent despite some coaching doubts. Bruce Thornton leads the way, ranking ninth nationally with a 5.5 rating—one of the best returning players in the country. Devin Royal (5.0, 25th) and center Josh Ojianwuna (4.3, 54th) anchor the frontcourt, while sharpshooter John Mobley Jr. (3.5, 134th) and promising freshmen Christoph Tilly (3.4, 156th) and Brandon Noel (2.2, 466th) add depth. The talent here is undeniable—ranked 13th nationally—but skepticism remains about Jake Diebler’s coaching ability. If he can manage this roster well, Ohio State will be a force to reckon with. |
| Oregon | Oregon ranks eighth in the Big Ten and 29th nationally, anchored by an elite talent in Nathan Bittle. Bittle is the third-best returning player in the country with a 6.2 rating, providing a dominant presence inside. Returning point guard Jackson Shelstad (3.7, 104th) offers continuity, though some may overrate him. Kwame Evans (3.0, 232nd) and Duke transfer Sean Stewart (2.6, 329th) bring talent but need to prove consistency. Depth remains a concern, especially on the wing where players like Dez Lindsay and Devon Pryor rank outside the top 700. How Coach Dana Altman manages Evans and Stewart in the forward rotation could be pivotal, but with Bittle and Shelstad leading the way, Oregon has a solid floor. |
| Penn State | Penn State ranks 18th in the Big Ten and 97th nationally with a 1.8 rating, a steep fall from 58th last year. Replacing key contributors like Ace Baldwin and Niederhauser presents a huge challenge for Coach Rhodes. Freddie Dilione V leads the team with a 2.3 rating (435th nationally), closely followed by Kayden Mingo (2.3, 448th), but overall production is expected to decline significantly. Penn State faces a tough rebuild with a thin roster and a difficult path forward. |
| Purdue | Purdue enters 2025-26 as the clear No. 1 in the Big Ten — and the nation. No program returns more high-end talent or has more continuity. Trey Kaufman-Renn (6.3 rating, 2nd nationally), Braden Smith (5.6, 4th), and Fletcher Loyer (4.3, 55th) form an elite returning trio. The addition of Oscar Cluff (3.6, 110th) from Washington State gives Purdue something they lacked: real interior defense. CJ Cox (3.0, 237th) adds experience off the bench, while younger depth like Gicarri Harris and Omer Mayer (1.7 range) provide insurance. Purdue’s model — veteran core, minimal roster turnover, and Matt Painter’s consistency — stands out in a year where many top teams rely on freshmen. With super seniors mostly gone, Purdue’s experience gives them a real edge. This isn’t just a Big Ten favorite. It’s a national title contender. |
| Rutgers | Rutgers ranks 17th in the Big Ten and 89th nationally with a 1.9 ADJeff rating, down from 70th last season. Despite having two high lottery picks last year, Coach Pikiell’s roster building has been underwhelming, with Rutgers finishing between 70th and 100th nationally in three of the last four years. Their top player, Harun Zrno (2.8 rating, 296th nationally), has solid international stats, but other contributors like Darren Buchanan (2.7, 327th) and Jamichael Davis (2.1, 481st) offer limited impact. Even with one of the highest coaching salaries in college basketball (26th as of March 13), Rutgers has struggled to maximize its talent. Without significant roster or coaching upgrades, the team faces another challenging season. |
| UCLA | UCLA checks in at No. 5 in the Big Ten and 19th nationally, boasting underrated frontcourt continuity. Eric Dailey (4.6 rating, 36th) and Tyler Bilodeau (4.5, 41st) form a strong frontcourt duo, while transfer Donovan Dent (4.2, 57th) adds significant backcourt talent. Last year’s 20th-ranked Bruins improve their core with Dent, plus shooters like Skyy Clark (3.5, 140th) and rotation player Steven Jamerson (2.8, 297th). The key question mark is Xavier Booker (2.0, outside top 500), who replaces Aday Mara. If Booker’s potential clicks, UCLA could surpass expectations. Though lacking a single star, their size, balance, and continuity give them a solid foundation in the conference. |
| USC | USC ranks ninth in the Big Ten and 30th nationally, slipping slightly from 57th last season with a 3.5 team rating. Their standout star is Baker-Mazarra, a top-15 national talent ranked 13th with a 5.3 rating. As arguably the best transfer this offseason, he averaged 12.3 points in just 25.6 minutes against elite competition, shooting an efficient .604 true shooting percentage. Backcourt depth includes Alijah Arenas (3.7, 108th), Rodney Rice (3.5, 132nd), and Terrance Williams (3.5, 149th). Ezra Ausar (3.3, 176th) and Jacob Cofie (2.8, 288th) add rotation support. However, USC’s post players remain a concern, and Coach Musselman faces the challenge of addressing this potential bottleneck to meet expectations. |
| Washington | Washington ranks 10th in the Big Ten and 31st nationally, climbing dramatically from 104th last season with a 3.4 team rating. The real standout is Hannes Steinbach, ranked 20th nationally with a 5.2 rating — quietly one of the best players flying under the radar. His international stats translate impressively, arguably making him the second-best player on the team behind Fru, who averages 12.4 points and a 23.1 PER. Other key contributors include Desmond Claude (3.6, 118th), Wesley Yates III (3.5, 129th), and Mady Traore (3.2, 193rd), all solid top-150 talents providing a strong foundation for the Huskies’ rise. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin sits 18th nationally, returning key firepower led by Nolan Winter (4.7 rating, 31st overall) and John Blackwell (4.1, 64th). This duo anchors an offense built on precision, execution, and efficiency. Nick Boyd (3.4, 152nd) adds steady rotation minutes, supported by Andrew Rohde (2.5, 369th), Austin Rapp (2.1, 522nd), and Aleksas Bieliauskas (2.0, 589th). Winter’s impressive 135 offensive rating and 23 PER against a tough top-25 schedule highlight his value. While Wisconsin’s top-end talent is solid, their depth is thinner than last year. If the supporting cast improves, expect Wisconsin to challenge near the top of the Big Ten again. |
