Big Ten Basketball: Biggest needs for each team’s 2021 recruiting classes

Illinois Fighting Illini

Biggest needs: Small forward and center

Even with Ayo Dosunmu likely gone after next season, the Illini is well secure on the perimeter for the future, led but freshmen guards Adam Miller and Andre Curbelo, along with 2021 sharpshooting commit Luke Goode. The wing position, particularly with the departure of Alan Griffin to Syracuse this offseason, is still an area to improve. After losing local wing recruit Brandon Weston to Seton Hall last week, top-100 wing Jordan Nesbitt is a big target for the program.

Finding a big man to replace Kofi Cockburn will also be important. A true center would be nice, but with junior forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili a candidate to go overseas, a prospect that can play both frontcourt positions will be helpful. Top-50 big man Franck Kepnang is an option, although there are plenty of power conference programs in the running.

Indiana Hoosiers

Biggest needs: Power forward and center

The Hoosiers are in a similar situation as Illinois, with its two best players (Kristian Lander and Trayce Jackson-Davis) potential 2021 NBA Draft candidates as well. And with starting center Joey Brunk graduating after next year, adding another frontcourt prospect to join four-star center commit Logan Duncomb will be important.

This is also a team that needs to just add the best available player they can regardless of position. Particularly if both key players depart, there isn’t a clear player on the roster that can grow into an All-Big Ten talent. Coach Archie Miller has done well with landing one star player in each class since arriving at Indiana but will have to do the same this time around to help with the likely number of early departures. Four-star prospects Blake Wesley and Trey Kaufman are near “must-get” for the program.