Big Ten Basketball: 10 biggest storylines to watch for 2022-23 season

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 10: Head coach Mike Woodson of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after getting called for a technical foul in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Chris Collins and Fred Hoiberg in need of big years

So far in the college football season, Nebraska made the decision to fire head coach Scott Frost after another set of close losses to start the year off. It wasn’t unexpected, as the program has never been able to lift off since his hire. That sounds kind of familiar on the basketball side, as Coach Hoiberg hasn’t been able to lift the Cornhuskers out of the bottom of the Big Ten.

It was thought that last year was the time for the program to break out, with five-star freshman prospect Bryce McGowens on the roster. And yet they finished next-to-last in the standings, and both he and his brother Trey McGowens have moved on. The current roster doesn’t have much room for optimism unless North Dakota State transfer Sam Griesel has a massive impact on offense. If things don’t improve, the school may make another change in hoops.

A coach who also is on the hot seat is Northwestern head coach Chris Collins. After making the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever in 2017, the team has failed to get over .500 since despite having some all-conference caliber players. And now, their best player, Pete Nance, is off to North Carolina and Ryan Young is off to Duke, replaced by UTEP center Tydus Verhoeven.

Unless returning guards Boo Buie and Chase Audige have all-conference campaigns, Northwestern is likely to not finish over .500 again. And if that happens, the program may finally pull the plug on the Collins era.

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