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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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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 21: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Ivan Bender #13 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Breslin Center on January 21, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 21: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Ivan Bender #13 of the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Breslin Center on January 21, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Maryland

Last Season’s Record: 23-11

Key Losses: Bruno Fernando

Key Returners: Anthony Cowan, Jalen Smith, Eric Ayala, Darryl Morsell, and Aaron Wiggins

Impact Freshmen and Immediate Eligible Transfers: Chol Marial and Makhi Mitchell

The Terrapins were one of the youngest teams in all of college basketball last season and they bring back five freshmen who look to make big impacts as sophomores. Maryland brings back their leading scorer in Anthony Cowen Jr. but they lose their second leading scorer and big man Bruno Fernando to the NBA draft. However, the Terrapins and head coach Mark Turgeon bring back five of their top six scorers from last season and Cowen Jr. as a senior point guard looks to lead a young but talented group to a possible Big Ten title. If Chol Marial and Makhi Mitchell who are both ranked in the top 70 of ESPN’s Top 100 recruits can replace the production of Fernando down low in the post, Maryland can seriously challenge the Spartans for Big Ten Supremacy.

1. Michigan State

Last Season’s Record: 32-7

Key Losses: Nick Ward, Kenny Goins, and Matt McQuaid

Key Returners: Cassius Winston, Joshua Langford, Aaron Henry, Kyle Ahrens, Xavier Tillman, Gabe Brown, and Marcus Bingham Jr.

Impact Freshmen and Immediate Eligible Transfers: Rocket Watts and Malik Hall

Michigan State has a ton of returning talent coming back and not only are they the favorites to win the Big Ten again this season, they are the favorites to the national championship in 2020. Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman, Aaron Henry, and a healthy Joshua Langford are arguably the best foursome in all of college basketball. Having the luxury of having Kyle Ahrens, Gabe Brown, and Rocket Watts coming off of the bench make the Spartans a very deep team. The only question mark will be who will start at the 4-spot in either Marcus Bingham Jr. or Thomas Kithier.

dark. Next. Early 2020 Bracketology

Head coach Tom Izzo has senior leaders in Winston, Ahren and Langford, an experienced versatile big man in Tillaman, emerging scoring in Henry, and talented guards in Brown and Watts. A very challenging non-conference schedule will prepare Michigan State to defend their Big Ten title.

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