Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings

Michigan Wolverines basketball was ranked ninth in the preseason Big Ten media poll, but we placed them higher in our power rankings ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, the program's first under head coach Dusty May. Here is our ranking of all 18 squads:

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1. Purdue (34-5, 17-3 Big Ten last season)

The Boilermakers lost a big man Zach Edeythe two-time national player of the year, but it's hard not to give it Matt Painter and Co. are an advantage in case of doubt, especially in view of an experienced backcourt with juniors Braden Smith And Fletcher Loyer.

2. UCLA (16-17, 10-10 Pac-12)

Along with Oregon, USC and Washington, the Bruins are new to the Big Ten and are a great fit for the league with their head coach Mick Cronin at the helm. They return four starters and add impact transfers Tyler Bilodeau (14.3 points per game at Utah) and William Kyles III (13.1 points per game at South Dakota State) in the backcourt and frontcourt, respectively.

3. Indiana (19-14, 10-10)

The pressure on the head coach is great Mike Woodsonwho missed the NCAA Tournament in his third season in 2023-24 but worked for the portal this offseason. Arizona transfer big man Oumar Ballo is the best big man in the conference, selected to the All-Pac-12 first team a year ago and imported from Washington State Myles Rice will add much-needed firepower at a guard point.

4. Oregon (24-12, 12-8)

Sophomore guard Jackson Shelstad Not only did he beat Michigan with a game-winner in overtime last season, he was also a true prodigy and is ready to take the next step. Oregon also has top-notch talent around them.

5. Michigan (8-24, 3-17)

The Maize and Blue may have to get used to so many new players and a fresh style of play, but there is as much talent on the roster as there is in the league and head coach Dusty May has proven he is a winner.

6. Rutgers (15-17, 7-13)

Rutgers fans suffered from last year's sub-.500 record, but saw light at the end of the tunnel. wing Ace Bailey and guard Dylan HarperThe No. 2 and 3 prospects in the class of 2024 according to the On3 industry rankings are here.

7. Michigan State (20-15, 10-10)

The Spartans lost experienced guards Tyson Walker And AJ HoggardThey need senior Jaden Akins to make the jump they've been waiting for the last few seasons. Sophomore great Xavier Booker is primed for a breakout and is a senior striker Frankie Fidleran Omaha transfer, rounds out a strong front line.

8. Illinois (29-9, 14-6)

Head coach Brad Underwood is busy building an almost entirely new squad every season. It worked last year, as the Illini played the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament with a fresh set of faces for the first time since 2005. Underwood has made a few landings in the portal again and can put the pieces together.

9. Ohio State (22-14, 9-11)

The Buckeyes won 8 of 11 games under the then-interim head coach Jake Diebler at the end of last season. He was promoted to full-time head man and has his point guard back on the team Bruce Thornton and saw guard Meechie Johnson Jr. (14.1 points per game last season) Transferred from South Carolina back to Columbus.

10. Iowa (19-15, 10-10)

Senior striker Payton Sandfort made a whopping 94 triples last season and is the head coach Fran McCaffery's teams can always score. Defense is a different story, but the Hawkeyes still found ways to win by a solid margin.

11. Wisconsin (22-14, 11-9)

The Badgers return about half of their core from last season's team, which was a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. When losing AJ Storr, Tyler Choice And Chucky Hepburn is no small thing, Greg Gard You can rely on the sniper Max Klesmitbig man Steven Crowl and Missouri Transfer John Tonjewho is healthy again after missing most of last season due to injury.

12. Northwestern (22-12, 12-8)

Northwestern made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances the last two seasons for the first time in program history, but Boo Buie does not go through the door to the Welsh Ryan Arena. The point guard has been the heart and soul of the team for the past five seasons despite being the senior guard Brooks Barnhizer is an outstanding player to build on.

13. Maryland (16-17, 7-13)

Point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie was a great pickup from Belmont and the center Julian Reese has been a solid player in the league for a while now, but the boss Kevin Willard doesn't have much firepower.

14. Nebraska (23-11, 12-8)

Nebraska made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013-14 and is largely on the upswing. However, program legend Keisei Tominaga turned professional in Japan and was an all-rounder Rienk Mast is out for the season with a knee injury. That's a lot to overcome.

15. USC (15-18, 8-12 Pac-12)

Eric Musselman was part of a crazy coaching carousel last year, leaving Arkansas, where he reached two Elite Eights and a Sweet 16. However, it may take some time before he returns for the second weekend.

16. Washington (17-15, 9-11 Pac-12)

Danny Sprinkles faces an uphill climb in his first year in Washington and will rely on several mid-major transfers in his rotation.

17. Penn State (16-17, 9-11)

Ace Baldwin Jr. is one of the best point guards in the Big Ten, but he doesn't have enough of a supporting cast.

18. Minnesota (19-15, 9-11)

It's stellar forward Dawson Garcia and everyone else on the Minnesota roster, which was decimated by players exiting the portal.