Busting Brackets
Fansided

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

By Tristan Freeman

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Zavier Simpson #3, Isaiah Livers #4, and Colin Castleton #11 of the Michigan Wolverines look on in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Zavier Simpson #3, Isaiah Livers #4, and Colin Castleton #11 of the Michigan Wolverines look on in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Marcus Carr #5 and Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 23: Marcus Carr #5 and Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Biggest needs: Point guard, small forward, and power forward

Head coach Richard Pitino used the transfer portal to rebuild the roster, landing a trio of quality veterans that will have a major impact. Along with Marcus Carr coming back, the Gophers are in solid shape. They need to find some quality replacements for this crop of players, besides 2021 center commit Treyton Thompson.

Considering that No. 1 recruit Chet Holmgren has the Gophers in his top-7, the team could have a superstar on the roster a year from now. If not, finding a true power forward to replace Western Michigan grad transfer Brandon Johnson should be the biggest priority. Adding another ball-handler to pair with freshman guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. will help as well.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Biggest needs: Best players available

This is a unique situation because of how massive the roster turnover has been under head coach Fred Hoiberg. A number of transfers have joined for the upcoming season, including guards Kobe Webster and Trey McGowens and JUCO wing Teddy Allen. The key returning asset is forward Yvan Ouedraogo, who led the Cornhuskers in rebounding as a freshman.

Nebraska is one of the worst teams in the power conferences, so they can add any quality recruit from any position and it would be a boost. And if another offseason filled with outgoing transfers occurs, then there would be no need to have to focus on a particular position. Adding another center capable of playing in the Big Ten would be a big help, along with a proven scorer to boost the overall offense.

Home/Big Ten