No more Zach Edey, no more Purdue at the top of the national polls — or at the top of the Sun-Times’ annual Big Ten men’s basketball re-rankings.
It’s that time again, with the conference schedule beginning in earnest next week. The Boilermakers were No. 1 in the land as the calendar turned to 2023 and 2024, but they’re riding the struggle bus now and relative afterthoughts on our list.
Let’s take it from the top:
1. OREGON (11-1, 1-1 Big Ten)
What’s right: Back-to-back-to-back wins against Texas A&M, San Diego State and Alabama trumpeted this team’s arrival. Five players — including terrific sixth man Keeshawn Barthelemy — are scoring in double figures.
What’s wrong: Guard Jackson Shelstad, the straw meant to be stirring the drink, can’t buy a three-point bucket.
Best case: The Ducks have as good a chance as anybody to win the league.
2. MICHIGAN STATE (10-2, 2-0)
What’s right: Guess who has the best rebounding differential in the league? Yes, the Spartans. That sound you hear is Tom Izzo cackling with delight.
What’s wrong: A 28.7% make rate from three — tied for lowest in the league with Minnesota — is going to be a problem.
Best case: A team with an edge to it could do some things in March.
3. UCLA (10-2, 2-0)
What’s right: The best “D” in the league so far, plus the Bruins’ top two scorers are shooting better than 50% from the field? Serious building blocks.
What’s wrong: A minus-7.1 turnover differential is galling. A fatal flaw? We’ll see.
Best case: Getting back to the NCAA Tournament after going 16-17 last season would be good enough.
4. ILLINOIS (8-3, 1-1)
What’s right: Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis is a born closer, backcourt mate Kylan Boswell is tough as nails and the defense is locked in.
What’s wrong: There’s too much loose ball handling, and freshman Will Riley has to get more aggressive.
Best case: It’s a young team with a ton of talent. Get to the Big Dance and go from there.
5. MICHIGAN (9-3, 2-0)
What’s right: The Wolverines lead the league in field-goal percentage (51.1%) and field-goal percentage differential (plus-12.4%). That means they’re dangerous.
What’s wrong: Closing out tight games has been an obvious issue.
Best case: How does “Dusty May, Big Ten coach of the year” sound?
6. MARYLAND (10-2, 1-1)
What’s right: After several years in the offensive wilderness, the Terps have emerged as a team that can fill it up.
What’s wrong: The most productive player so far has been center Derik Queen, only a freshman — and this league can be rough on them.
Best case: If point guard Ja’Kobie Gillespie rises to his indispensable best, look out.
7. WISCONSIN (10-3, 0-2)
What’s right: John Tonje is an AJ Storr-level scorer who, unlike Storr, does it within the framework of the offense.
What’s wrong: A team with very good nonconference wins is in an early conference rut.
Best case: The Badgers have the pieces to get to the Big Dance.
8. PENN STATE (10-2, 1-1)
What’s right: Led by dazzling playmaker Ace Baldwin Jr., the Nittany Lions top all conference teams with 88.4 points per game.
What’s wrong: The nonconference schedule was cake. It gets much tougher from here.
Best case: An upper-half finish would signal encouraging progress under Mike Rhoades.
9. NORTHWESTERN (9-3, 1-1)
What’s right: Brooks Barnhizer, Nick Martinelli and Jalen Leach are completely underrated as a trio.
What’s wrong: Nothing aside from nonexistent three-point shooting and the razor-thin margin of error Chris Collins’ teams always play with.
Best case: A third straight tournament trip? It could happen.
10. PURDUE (8-4, 1-1)
What’s right: It’s an experienced group, Matt Painter remains elite and the uniform tops still say “Purdue.”
What’s wrong: Without Edey, the Boilermakers just haven’t held up against top competition.
Best case: The Boilers know winning too well for us to say they can’t finish first in the conference.
11. NEBRASKA (10-2, 1-1)
What’s right: You need a bucket? Brice Williams might be your best bet of anyone in the Big Ten to get it for you.
What’s wrong: Fewer than half the Huskers’ baskets have come with assists. That’s too much one-on-one.
Best case: Maybe Fred Hoiberg can push all the right buttons again, but it’ll be tough to match last year’s success.
12. OHIO STATE (8-4, 1-1)
What’s right: The Buckeyes are good enough to have blasted No. 4-ranked Kentucky by 20.
What’s wrong: The Buckeyes are bad enough to have gotten dump-trucked by No. 2 Auburn by 38.
Best case: Both Michigan State and Oregon visit in early January. Talk about an opportunity to get things going.
13. INDIANA (9-3, 1-1)
What’s right: The Hoosiers have all kinds of talent. They just don’t necessarily play like it.
What’s wrong: When the going has gotten tough, Mike Woodson’s team has disappeared.
Best case: It’s still a high-ceiling roster. Quality wins will come.
14. IOWA (9-3, 1-1)
What’s right: As always, the Hawkeyes can score and routinely shoot a high percentage.
What’s wrong: Nobody rebounds. Blocking out isn’t cool.
Best case: There isn’t much pressure on this group, so maybe it overachieves a little.
15. RUTGERS (7-5, 1-1)
What’s right: Haven’t you heard about one-and-dones Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey? They’re total lottery picks.
What’s wrong: Winning games seems to have been left out of the team-building equation.
Best case: It’ll probably come down to having to win the Big Ten tournament to get into the Dance.
16. USC (9-4, 1-1)
What’s right: LeBron James sometimes shows up. Check that, Bronny James doesn’t play here anymore.
What’s wrong: The closest thing to a good win was against Washington.
Best case: Making the Big Ten tournament (three teams will not) would be kind of nice.
17. WASHINGTON (8-4, 0-2)
What’s right: At least transfer Great Osobor can have fun counting his NIL money.
What’s wrong: Put it this way, the Huskies lost at home to Seattle U.
Best case: In a seven-game series against Seattle, the Huskies would still have a shot.
18. MINNESOTA (7-5, 0-2)
What’s right: Have you seen how hot the Vikings are?
What’s wrong: As crafty and skilled as Dawson Garcia is, he has little to no help.
Best case: Have we mentioned the Vikings?