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

After a major point in the offseason has passed in the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, rosters are over 95% set for most D-I teams, including Big Ten Basketball. There have been plenty of departing seniors, transfers, and pro prospects but not necessarily many incoming transfers.

It’s a national criticism for the conference, where there are several teams that need multiple more rotational pieces to be more competitive for the 2022-23 campaign. But maybe there are surprises in store.

Here are the updated power rankings for the Big Ten, including who is coming and going from the offseason moves.

14. Nebraska Cornhuskers

It was known that freshman leading scorer Bryce McGowens was going to be going pro but the status of his older brother Trey McGowens was unknown until a couple of weeks ago, where he opted to also forego his eligibility. And with Alonzo Verge gone, that makes the backcourt going under some big changes.

Guards Keisei Tominaga and C.J. Wilcher are coming back, joined by North Dakota State transfer Sam Griesel (14.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg). But there’s a lack of a proven ball-handler and any belief that the woeful defense will be improved and while forward Derrick Walker (9.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg) is a solid frontcourt option, there’s also not much there inside to rely on.

There will be lots of pressure on JUCO transfers, Blaise Keita and Emmanuel Bandoumel, as well as former Alabama forward Juwan Gary to produce inside. Unless any of them breaks out, the Cornhuskers are going to be in big trouble next season and have little hope of escaping the Big Ten Basketball basement.