Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

Chris Collins doesn’t have a lifetime contract at Northwestern, but it certainly feels that way. The Wildcats have now put together five consecutive losing seasons and its hard to forecast them breaking the streak this year.

Credit where it’s due: Northwestern was competitive last year. They hung around in some close games and only finished one game below .500. It felt like a season Northwestern could potentially build off of towards postseason contention in 2022-23.

Then, the offseason happened. Pete Nance, who emerged last season as Northwestern’s best player while leading them in points and rebounds, entered the transfer portal and went to North Carolina. His potential replacement, Ryan Young, went to the other school down Tobacco Road, Duke.

In the Big Ten, it’s essential to have quality big men. Robbie Beran and UTEP transfer Tydus Verhoeven likely aren’t striking fear in the hearts of opponents.

What Northwestern will have going for it is a solid trio of guards that will help propel the offense. Boo Buie is the headliner of that group, which also includes Chase Audige and Ty Berry. It’s not a bad cop of guards for the conference.

The Wildcats will win a few games they have no business winning, because that’s just what they do. But it seems likely Collins’ squad is headed towards yet another losing season.