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Big Ten Basketball: Michigan State, Maryland leads updated early 2019-20 rankings

By Ryan Kay

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his team against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 14: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini gives instructions to his team against the Iowa Hawkeyes at the United Center on March 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – JANUARY 09: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the second half a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 9, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Ohio State 64-61. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – JANUARY 09: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the second half a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 9, 2019 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Ohio State 64-61. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

4. Illinois 

Last Season’s Record: 12-21

Key Losses: Aaron Jordan and Samba Kane

Key Returners: Ayo Dosunmu, Trent Frazier, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Andres Feliz Alan Griffin, and Kipper Nichols

Impact Freshmen and Immediate Eligible Transfers: Kofi Cockburn

The Fighting Illini bring back five of their top six scorers from last season. Illinois was young last season but talented and even though their record didn’t show it, they showed progress and beat some quality teams. The Fighting Illini have their top three double digit scorers returning in Ayo Dosunmu, Trent Frazier, and Giorgi Bezhanishvili and they were all underclassmen last season. They also bring in top-50 recruit Kofi Cockburn to bolster the front line. Brad Underwood will be in his third season as the head coach of the Fighting Illini and he and his team look to take the program to another level this season and compete in the top tier of the Big Ten this year.

3. Ohio State

Last Season’s Record: 20-15

Key Losses: C.J. Jackson and Keyshawn Woods

Key Returners: Kaleb Wesson, Andre Wesson, Luther Muhammad, Duane Washington Jr., Justin Ahrens, Kyle Young

Impact Freshmen and  Intimidate Eligible Transfers: D.J. Carton, E.J. Liddell, and Alonzo Gaffney

Ohio State is the most intriguing team due to having three ESPN Top 50 recruits come in to a team that brings back their best player from last season as well as five of their top seven scorers from last years team. The Buckeyes will miss the scoring from C. J. Jackson but the three highly touted freshmen coming in will look to easily fill that scoring void and more. Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann is turning the program back into a top tier Big ten squad and they may easily surprise the experts by challenging the Spartans for the Big Ten title.

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