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

PISCATAWAY, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Head coach Brad Underwood of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena on February 16, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Illinois 70-59. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl Big Ten Basketball 210307 Wisc Iowa Mbb 031 Jpg /

10. Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers were the Big Ten Basketball regular-season champions on the strength of the Conference Player of the Year Johnny Davis, the star and leading scorer of the team. He’s gone, which is obviously a big blow for the team for next season. An underrated loss is another guard in Brad Davison, second on the team with 14.1 ppg and shot 35% from three-point range.

That leaves Tyler Wahl (11.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg) as the top returning player on the roster. And the forward has even more pressure on him to succeed as the focal point of the frontcourt after both Ben Carlson and Matthew Mors transferred out this offseason. And after reportedly being linked to a few targets this offseason, Wisconsin hasn’t been able to land anyone.

What the Badgers have been able to get is 6’0 point guard Kamari McGee (11.4 ppg at Green Bay) and 6’3 shooting guard Max Klesmit (14.9 ppg at Wofford) to join returning guards, Chucky Hepburn and Jahcobi Neath. Can the transfers have a big impact to help offset the lost production of both Davis and Davison? That remains to be seen.

Wisconsin was disrespected in the preseason polls but overachieved massively thanks to Davis having a breakout sophomore campaign. If Hepburn can do something similar, the team could be an NCAA Tournament contender once again.

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