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Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 30, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mackey Arena. Boilermakers won 81-78. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mackey Arena. Boilermakers won 81-78. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Region
Big Ten Basketball Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Illinois Fighting Illini

Will Kofi Cockburn come back to Illinois? He averaged 21 ppg and 10.6 rpg last season after originally both entering the NBA Draft and the transfer portal. But he very well could be back, although he’ll be surrounded by an entirely new supporting cast. Guards Alfonso Plummer and Trent Frazier have no more eligibility, while Andre Curbelo entered the transfer portal.

If Jacob Grandison and Coleman Hawkins are back, then lots of pressure will be on all of the young guards, including RJ Melendez, Luke Goode, and incoming four-star freshmen, Ty Rodgers and  Jayden Epps. This is a roster that’ll likely improve in the next couple of weeks but at this time, I have them as the fourth-best roster in Big Ten Basketball.

3. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans lost their only double-digit scorer this past season in Gabe Brown, along with starting center Marcus Bingham Jr. However, they’re likely bringing back everyone else, including Max Christie, who has the potential to have a breakout campaign as a sophomore.

Guars Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard return in the backcourt, joined by four-star guard Tre Holloman. And top-60 big man Jaxon Kolher provides frontcourt depth alongside Malik Hall, Joey Hauser, Julius Marble, and Julius Marble II. They just need a breakout scorer and Christie can be that guy next year.

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