Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Updated way-too-early rankings after the NBA Draft

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 04: The Michigan Wolverines celebrate after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-66 during the championship game of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 04: The Michigan Wolverines celebrate after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 75-66 during the championship game of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 15
Next
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Wesson #24 reacts with Jackson #3. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Wesson #24 reacts with Jackson #3. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Never underestimate head coach Chris Holtmann. That is the No. 1 rule moving forward regarding the Ohio State basketball program. He is one of the best coaches in all of college basketball and consistently overachieves when it comes to expectations. Some might think that putting that Buckeyes at No. 8 on this list is a tad high but coaching is something that should never be overlooked.

Keita Bates-Diop (19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds), Jae’Sean Tate (12.3 points, 6.2 rebounds), and Kam Williams (9.0 points) are now gone but there is enough talent returning from last year’s team to warrant a high ranking. In addition, it is important to remember that the Buckeyes finished 15-3 in Big Ten play last season. Even with a less talented roster, it would be a significant drop-off from year to year if they finished outside of the top-10 in the conference.

Leading the way in 2018-19 will be rising senior C.J. Jackson (12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists) and rising sophomore Kaleb Wesson (10.2 points, 4.9 rebounds). These two played valuable roles a year ago and it is not a stretch to believe that one of these players can be named to an All-Big Ten team this season. In addition to these leaders, Micah Potter, Andre Wesson, Musa Jallow, and Kyle Young will all be expected to take steps forward in their development.

In terms of recruiting, you can expect that Coach Holtmann will give some substantial minutes to his newcomers. Ohio State’s 2018 class is ranked at No. 25 in the nation.

Home/Big Ten