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

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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 16: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

6. Maryland

Two of the Terps’ top three scorer return in Justin Jackson and Anthony Cowan; that’s the good news. The bad news? The top three scorer gone is Melo Trimble, who averaged six more points than any other Terp last year. Jackson and Cowan, who are only sophomores, will both have their leadership tested in 2017 because they’ll be the leaders of a team who started 22-4 but finished 2-5 down the stretch last year.

7. Michigan

Like Wisconsin, Michigan finished its season with a nice postseason run. Also like Wisconsin, Michigan has a lot to replace. Derrick Walton Jr. is gone. Zak Irvin is gone. D.J. Wilson is gone. That’s three of Michigan’s top four scorers from last season. But, John Beilein seems like he always puts a competitive team on the floor, so don’t be surprised if Michigan goes on a Moritz Wagner lead run to another NCAA tournament run.

8. Indiana

In case you were wondering, this is my NCAA Tournament cutoff. Those seven teams go, Indiana will have the prestigious honor of being the best Big Ten team in the NIT. New coach Archie Miller has his work cut out for him, Indiana loses James Blackmon Jr. and OG Anunoby from a team that had a tumultuous 2016-2017 season. The more I write, the more I think I only have Indiana here because of name recognition.

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