Big Ten Basketball: Michigan State, Maryland leads updated early 2019-20 rankings
By Ryan Kay
Many roster changes this offseason in Big Ten Basketball has helped/hurt some teams. Which ones are in good shape heading in 2019-20?
There is a clear favorite to win Big Ten Basketball this upcoming season, as Michigan State brings back many starters and key players back from a season that included Big Ten and regular season and tournament titles and ended in a Final Four run in the NCAA tournament. However, there are no guarantees of a Big Ten championship for the green and white and there are some dangerous teams that can challenge the Spartans for conference supremacy.
Unfortunately for many Big Ten teams, many talented and experienced players left for dreams of playing in the NBA or graduated with no remaining collegiate playing eligibility left. Some teams lost more than others but there is no denying the loss of certain players will make it more challenging to win the Big Ten in 2020 unlike last season.
Even with the above mentioned and the Michigan State being the favorites in the race for a Big Ten title, there are teams more than capable to capture the Big Ten titles. There young and talented teams looking to make big strides and then there are those teams who some will overlook but will surprise many by fighting their way to the top.
Let’s take a look at all 14 Big Ten teams and see where they rank headed into the 2019-2020 season.
14. Northwestern
Last Season’s Record: 13-19
Key Losses: Vic Law, Dererk Pardon, and Ryan Taylor
Key Returners: A.J. Turner and Anthony Gaines
Impact Freshmen and Immediate Eligible Transfers: Robbie Beran and Pat Spencer
The Big Ten will be very competitive and deep once again this season. However, the most likely outcome for this upcoming season is that the Wildcats will finish last in the Big Ten. They have had five players transfer out of the program in the last two seasons and were down to nine scholarship players as recently as this past spring. Coach Chris Collins is in his 7th season at the helm and this might be his most difficult and challenging season thus far. The Wildcats will heavily rely on Turner and Gaines as well as incoming freshman Beran to provide the offense for this upcoming season. Northwestern will look to control tempo and build on last season’s home court success.
13. Rutgers
Last Season’s Record: 14-17
Key Losses: Eugene Omoruyi, Shaquille Doorson, and Issa Thiam
Key Returners: Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., and Peter Kiss
Impact Freshmen and Immediate Eligible Transfers: Paul Mulcahy and Akwasi Yeboah
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell in his 3rd season at the helm has the Scarlet Knights going in the right direction. However, he and his team was dealt some devastating news this off-season when their top player who lead the team in scoring and rebounding last season decided to transfer to Oregon. The good news is that Rutgers has nine scholarship players returning and their non-conference schedule is not going to be difficult. The bad news is that with Omoruyi transferring, the Scarlet Knights went from a team challenging for a top 10 spot in the Big Ten team to a team that may struggle to stay out of the bottom three of the Big Ten standings. Rutgers may surprise some in the Big Ten but it will be a difficult task.