Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Brian Rauf

IOWA CITY, IA - JANUARY 10: Joe Wieskamp #10 and Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on January 10, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA - JANUARY 10: Joe Wieskamp #10 and Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on January 10, 2020 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – MARCH 04: Head coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA – MARCH 04: Head coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

487. . Last Year: 15-16 (8-12). . Golden Gophers . 12. team

Minnesota was firmly in NCAA Tournament contention up until the final week or two of the season because of how tough their schedule was (third nationally), so don’t let that sub-.500 record fool you.

That said, it looks like this group will take a step back in 2020-21. Star big man Daniel Oturu has entered the NBA Draft after averaging 20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game and Richard Pitino’s squad is also losing Allihan Demir, Michael Hurt, and Payton Willis. Point guard Marcus Carr has also entered the NBA Draft but is expected to return to school.

If Carr does return, he gives the Golden Gophers hope for next season. He’s a dynamite all-around player (15.4 ppg, 6.7 apg, 5.2 rpg) and put up some truly impressive performances as a sophomore, highlighted by a 35-point, seven-assist upset win over Ohio State.

If he does not return, however, Minnesota will be “competing” with Northwestern for the bottom spot in the conference. Sophomores Gabe Kalscheur and Jarvis Omersa are already going to be counted on in big ways, but they will be forced to become more core players in this scenario.

Richard Pitino is another name to hear about potentially being on the coaching hot seat next season. Despite signing an extension in April 2019, the Gophers have never been able to establish consistent success under him. 2020-21 could be the tipping point.

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