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

This is where things in the Big Ten get really interesting. Could Wisconsin really drop from conference champs to conference chumps? They return more than 50 percent of their minutes, but arguably no team in the Big Ten has lost more than the Badgers.

Johnny Davis became one of the biggest stars in college basketball last year, averaging 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game en route to Big Ten Player of the Year accolades. In fact, he was so good that he was able to go to the NBA and be a lottery pick of the Washington Wizards.

While Davis was their best player, Brad Davison was the heart of the team, constantly battling on the court with players much younger than his 22 years on the planet. He’s gone too, catching on in Lithuania average averaging 14.1 points per game as a fifth-year senior.

So who will Greg Gard cast as the new leader in Wisconsin? Odds favor senior Tyler Wahl. The forward had a solid season across the board, ranking as a leader in the Big Ten in rebounds per game and steals per game. His defense is strong, so some small strides on offense (he averaged 11.4 points per game) would make him the de facto alpha.

Another player that will be expected to play a big role is Chucky Hepburn. He might not make a Johnny Davis-type leap, but he should be the lead guard for the Badgers after averaging 7.9 points and 2.3 assists per game as a freshman.

The other player to watch is Steven Crowl, the 7-footer in the middle. He was one of the most consistent shooters from two in the conference, but foul trouble always followed him. If he can clean that up, he could be a higher-end big in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin has the feel of a team that will be fine, but not spectacular as it transitions to life without two of its most important players in recent memory. Then again, one can argue that was supposed to be the case last year and the Badgers burst through those expectations.