Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2019-2020 season

By Austin Walther

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a free throw during the second half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Houston Cougars at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 24: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a free throw during the second half of the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Houston Cougars at BOK Center on March 24, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

2) Ohio State Buckeyes

Obviously Ohio State needs Kaleb Wesson to return to remain second. Without Wesson and if some of the other teams behind them get guys back, the Buckeyes will fall a couple spots. We all knew Wesson was a pretty good basketball player. He was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team. Wesson increased his points per game by four and rebounds from 4.9 to 6.9. He got himself suspended by the athletic department, but returned for postseason play and looked even more dominant.

The Buckeyes are going to lose just two for certain. C.J. Jackson is graduating and Charlotte/Wake Forest grad-transfer Keyshawn Woods is out of eligibility. The Biggest issues is replacing a whole ton of assists. Woods and Jackson combined for six assists per game this past season. The best fits to take over as the floor general is either Florida State transfer CJ Walker, sophomore combo guard Duane Washington or top-30 recruit true point guard DJ Carton.

Walker played two seasons for the Seminoles, averaged 6.5 points per game, almost two assists and averaged almost one three-pointer per game. Washington along with top-100 recruit from this past season Luther Muhammed were wonderful role players for Ohio State. Both players combined for 14 points per game over 2.5 rebounds and together made 77 triples.

If Wesson were to return, Ohio State will have seven guys from their rotation this past season. And Walker is expected to be competing for a spot in the starting five. To top it all off, Chris Holtmann has the best recruiting class in the Big Ten in just his third season. Carton headlines a group of two other top-50 recruits. The Buckeyes have potential to have so much depth with a lot of talent. If Wesson comes back and no more than one from Michigan returns, Ohio State is definitely staying at number two.

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