Big Ten basketball has reigned supreme in the NCAA basketball world once again in 2021-22 and this season has had its fair share of surprises already. There’s a logjam at the top of the standings and it could be anybody’s title thanks to prospects who are impressing and in turn, raising their stock in the NBA Draft.
Kofi Cockburn’s return to the Illinois basketball lineup turned the tide in a good way for their quest for a conference crown as has Trent Frazier’s return after testing the NBA Draft waters but Wisconsin basketball lurks thanks to the emergence of Johnny Davis.
Ohio State basketball took a tough loss with 0.6 seconds remaining thanks to Jaden Ivey’s heroics but junior versatile threat E.J. Liddell showed off his leadership down the stretch for the Buckeyes with his ability to score the ball in a variety of ways.
Over in Minnesota, head coach Ben Johnson seems to have found some star power in the transfer portal with George Washington import Jamison Battle. He’s another hybrid forward that can score inside and create on the perimeter.
Jaden Ivey was mentioned above and Zach Edey has gotten plenty of attention as well but with Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year candidate Trevion Williams on the floor, they’re an even tougher squad to defend against. He’s another hidden gem in the Purdue basketball ranks that’s raising his profile. Take a look at five NBA Draft stock-risers in the Big Ten basketball landscape heading into February.