Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2019-20 season

By Adam Childs | Sep 5, 2019

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 17: Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany presents head coach Tom Izzo the championship trophy after the Michigan State Spartans beat the Michigan Wolverines 65-60 in the championship game of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 17, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Jalen Smith #25 of the Maryland Terrapins drives against Kavell Bigby-Williams #11 of the LSU Tigers during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Big Ten Basketball has a lot of questions coming into this year, but one thing is certain, Michigan State is very good. There are a few teams right behind them but can anyone compete with the mighty Spartans?

Big Ten Basketball had a bounce-back year last year after only getting four teams in the tournament in 2018. Michigan State and Purdue shined in the tournament as the Spartans made the Final Four bouncing mighty Duke and Purdue came one rebound away from joining them and knocking off eventual champion Virginia.

After such a banner year, the Big Ten will look to not drop off this year, but it will be tough as they lost a lot of stars from the conference and one big-name coach. John Beilein left Michigan to take the head job with the Cleveland Cavaliers and in his place is former Fab FIve member Juwan Howard. He brings a big name to Ann Arbor but will he bring wins.

Purdue and Wisconsin both lost their star players who carried them through stretches of last year. Nebraska flipped their whole roster after bringing in new head coach Fred Hoiberg who will look to regain his coaching magic back in the college ranks.

Illinois and Penn State look like teams that could jump up in the conference rankings this year if they can have stars such as Ayo Donsumu and Lamar Stevens continue to rise.

The conference also has their fair share of coaches on the hot seat in Richard Pitino, Pat Chambers, and Chris Collins. They also may have another in Archie Miller at Indiana even if it isn’t warranted.

The Big Ten won’t lack for storylines this year, but where does each team stack up as we have only two months left before the season starts. One thing we do know for sure is that Michigan State should be the number one team in the country and the Big Ten.

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