Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2017-18

3. Wisconsin 

One of the few people who will compete with Bridges for Big Ten awards is Ethan Happ, the Badger forward who averaged 14 points and nine rebounds last season. Another player to keep an eye on for Wisconsin this season is D’Mitrik Trice, who is the heir apparent to the starting point guard spot that Bronson Koenig had locked down for the last three seasons.

As a freshman, Trice showed flashes of brilliance but only played a little more than 18 minutes per game. With Koenig, Nigel Hayes, Vitto Brown, and Zak Showalter all graduating, Wisconsin has a lot to replace from last season’s Elite Eight team. The Badgers will go as Happ and Trice go.

4. Purdue 

Speaking of replacing talent, Purdue has to replace last season’s conference Player of the Year, Caleb Swanigan. Luckily, it has a great big man to step right in. In less than 20 minutes per game in 2016-2017, 7-foot-2 Isaac Haas scored more than 12 points while grabbing five rebounds per game. Carsen and Vincent Edwards (who aren’t related) both return as well and both averaged double figures a season ago. Purdue might be ranked a little low here, but losing Swanigan hurts a lot.

5. Northwestern 

Northwestern’s run to its first-ever NCAA tournament in 2017 was no fluke. Remember Bryant McIntosh and Scottie Lindsey, the mature, rock-solid backcourt who lead the way? They’re both returning for their senior seasons, and as juniors, the tandem scored more than 14 points per game apiece. In fact, the Wildcats return all of their top five scorers. This is the deepest, most talented Northwestern team in well, ever.