Big Ten Basketball: Biggest remaining roster needs for each team for 2022-23 season

Penn State Nittany Lions

Biggest needs: C

The Nittany Lions got good news this offseason with the return of key guards, Jalen Pickett and Myles Dread for another year. And the additions of transfers Cam Wynter and Andrew Funk gives them plenty of scoring depth as well. That leaves mainly just one position of need, as both Funk and returning forward Seth Lundy can play at the four-spot.

But neither can play at center and Penn State doesn’t have a clear replacement for John Harrar, who was the double-doubble machine for the team last season. They do have a pair of incoming freshmen to watch in Demetrius Lilley and Kebba Njie but the team needs a veteran big to help round out the roster.

Purdue Boilermakers

Biggest needs: PG

Losing star guard Jaden Ivey to the NBA Draft was expected but with both Isaiah Thompson and Eric Hunter Jr. leaving the transfer portal, that leaves the Boilermakers with no proven point guard on the roster. They already lost out on Nijel Pack to Miami and if they also lose in the Tyrese Hunter sweepstakes, Purdue will need to find some ball-handler with experience to avoid having to play the freshmen heavy minutes.

With big man Zach Edey coming back, whoever is the lead guard would have an excellent security blanket to work with. It’s weird that Purdue hasn’t been able to land one of the high-profile guards but with no current upperclassmen on the roster, it’s incredibly important to have some kind of experience for next season.