No conference had as many offseason storylines and questions as Big Ten Basketball did, having so many quality big men in the NBA Draft conversation. Yet after just about all of them decided to come back for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign, that made a number of teams as Final Four contenders.
That also created some more questions when it comes to the overall rosters, as well as preseason conference award favorites. All 14 programs have something to prove, as well as high expectations to try and succeed. There are many questions to ask but I got five of them for some of Busting Brackets’ top contributors that are familiar at the Big Ten level.
So let’s get right into this preseason roundtable. Here’s a look at the participating contributors, as well as their social media handles to follow them.
Ryan Kay – @KaySportswriter
Bryan Mauro – @threecolorbeard
Greg Waddell – @gwizzy12
Tommy Farmer – @T_Farmer1
1. Who will be the third breakout star this season? (Ivey and Curbelo are consensus 1 and 2).
Kay
Tyson Walker, Michigan State
Michigan State lost their top scorer from last season in Aaron Henry and the Spartans will be looking for someone to replace his offensive production from last season this season. Walker a transfer from Northeastern, will not be looked at to be the next Cassius Winston but to be more consistent than Rocket Watts who transferred to Mississippi State and to be the point guard that Michigan State desperately needed last season. If the Spartans are to be a top-four team in the Big Ten this season, Walker will be the reason why.
Mauro
This may sound crazy but Bryce McGowens. McGowens was a top 25 recruit but seems like he was slightly forgotten about as a 5-star recruit. His skillset fits into Nebraska’s offense perfectly and he is going to be given every opportunity to shine. He also has built-in chemistry with his brother Trey. If he adapts to the college game quickly Nebraska could have a tremendously high ceiling. Look out for McGowens.
Waddell
There will be a handful of impact newcomers but as far as a familiar face breaking out into stardom goes, the correct answer here is Keegan Murray. Murray was a super versatile puzzle piece on a great team last year, but this year he will be much more critical to the Hawkeyes’ success on both ends. If all goes well, he’s a potential first-round pick as soon as next summer.
Farmer
I think Miller Kopp will breakout after transferring this offseason from Northwestern to Indiana. The 6’7” senior can play anywhere on the wing and will provide much-needed shooting and spacing for a Hoosiers team that had problems with that last year. Playing with Trayce Jackson-Davis should take pressure off Kopp to have to force offense, and I think he’ll step into the number two role on an improved Indiana team while becoming a more efficient scorer.