WATCH: Andy Katz ranks Big Ten basketball after NBA decisions
With NBA Draft decisions made, college basketball analysts are beginning to predict where teams will finish in conference play. The Big 10 was one of the more exciting conferences in the nation last year in college basketball. Their success led to eight teams from their conference being selected for the 2022 NCAA Tournament. With their 14 rosters essentially set, March Madness’ Andy Katz broke down the Big 10 from top to bottom.
Ranking Big 10 Conference basketball teams
According to Andy Katz:
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Michigan State Spartans
- Illinois Fighting Illini
- Michigan Wolverines
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Wisconsin Badgers
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Maryland Terrapins
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Northwestern Wildcats
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
With the return of Trayce-Jackson Davis to Bloomington, Mike Woodson’s team added one of the best players in the country. The decision has launched Indiana to the top spot of Katz’ Big 10 rankings.
“The Hoosiers returned Trayce-Jackson Davis who withdrew from the NBA Draft during the combine,” he says. “He could be the Big 10 Player of the Year and First Team All-American.”
In the two spot is a familiar face with Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad. The Spartans lost freshman guard Max Christie to the NBA, but experienced depth should help keep them at the top.
“With Joey Hauser, Malik Hall, Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard, I think the Spartans start the preseason at number two,” said Katz.
Rounding out the Top-5 are the Illinois Fighting Illini, Michigan Wolverines, and Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. Illinois was a transfer portal winner by adding Texas Tech’s Terrance Shannon Jr. and Baylor’s Matthew Mayer. Meanwhile, Michigan lost their freshman duo of Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan to the NBA Draft.
From there we find Zach Edey and Purdue, Chucky Hepburn and Wisconsin, Kris Murray and Iowa, and then the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Rounding out Katz’ list is Minnesota, Maryland, Penn State, Northwestern and Nebraska in that order.
With an even mix of new and old faces throughout the league, this should again be one of college basketball’s better conferences to follow in ’22-’23.