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Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the top for 2019-20 season

By Brandon Simberg

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 30: Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MARCH 30: Matt Haarms #32 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

5. Purdue

Key players lost: Carsen Edwards, Ryan Cline, Grady Eifert,

Key players returning: Nojel Eastern, Matt Haarms, Trevion Williams, Aaron Wheeler, Evan Boudreaux

Key newcomers: Jahaad Proctor (transfer), Brandon Newman

Putting Purdue this high after losing 3 starters and over half their scoring from last season is a testament to Matt Painter. But the post-Carsen Edwards era team has enormous potential on the defensive end that can help them contend in the Big Ten.

The two returning starters are 6’6 point guard Nojel Eastern and 7’3 Matt Haarms. They are both two of the top defenders at their position in the conference but need to improve on the offensive end. They also return forward Trevion Williams who provided the Boilermakers a spark with his post-up game.

The newcomers will make or break Purdue’s offense. Jahaad Proctor was one of the best grad transfers on the market before committing to Purdue. He averaged 17 points per game last season at High Point. The other key newcomer is incoming freshman Brandon Newman. Newman established himself in one of the top shooters in Indiana and will need to contribute right away to fill the void left by Ryan Cline who made 111 threes last season.

I’m also intrigued by the development of Aaron Wheeler. The rising sophomore played only 14 minutes per game last season but showed the ability to score on all three levels. At 6’9 with long arms and good athleticism, Wheeler has the tools to be a breakout candidate.

Purdue’s biggest issue will be scoring the ball. They don’t have one particularly great playmaker and the shooting is still in question. But the combo of Eastern, Haarms, Williams, and Wheeler could make it brutal for teams trying to score on Purdue. Combine that with Painter’s coaching and a tough home court, and Purdue should be good. Their upside isn’t as high as some other teams, but I think their floor is an NCAA Tournament team.

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