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

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Biggest needs: Point guard and Power forward

After a breakthrough season as a program, the Scarlet Knights are looking to benefit on the recruiting trail long term. They landed top-50 power forward Cliff Omoruyi for the upcoming season and already has three-star guard/wing Jaden Jones part of the 2021 class. With only two seniors on the current roster, this team doesn’t need a massive class but would love to get another high-profile player.

One of the seniors is point guard Geo Baker. Finding a proven ball-handler transfer may be the way to go next offseason but that’s the one area on the roster that needs to be addressed. Four-star point guard Jaylen Blakes is from New Jersey and will be a major target and would be a perfect fit for both sides. Rutgers may be in a good enough spot to land him once his recruitment heats up.

Wisconsin Badgers

Biggest needs: Shooting guard and Center

With a roster heavily filled with both seniors and freshmen, Wisconsin will go from being one of the older teams in the country to one of the youngest a year from now. There are plenty of veterans that’ll need to be replaced, and Coach Greg Gard and the coaching staff already has done good work in filling out the 2021 class.

The Badgers have a trio of top-150 recruits on board, including forwards Chris Hodges and Matthew Mors. There are a couple of positions that could use more depth, including center (replacing Micah Potter) and shooting guard (replacing D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison).

While top-tier local forward prospect Pat Baldwin Jr. is the dream scenario, Wisconsin likely will have to target more three-star under the radar recruits to fill out the class. There isn’t too much left for the Badgers to add but in what continues to be an arms race to finish out the 2021 class, they’ll need to continue searching in order to remain contenders in the Big Ten.