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) /

7 of 10

Kris Murray Keegan Murray Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

4. Iowa and Wisconsin hoping for back-to-back breakout campaigns

Last season, both Iowa and Wisconsin had two of the best players in the country in Johnny Davis, the Big Ten Basketball Player of the Year, and Keegan Murray, who ended up as the fourth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Both were pegged as preseason breakout stars and both played up to expectations.

Now, Iowa and Wisconsin are teams that are projected to take steps back after losing their respective stars. However, each also has a player that is the new “breakout player to watch” for 2022-23. For Wisconsin, it’s sophomore guard Chucky Hepburn, who averaged 7.9 ppg and 2.3 apg in 31 mpg while starting all 33 games. With both Davis and Brad Davison now gone, it’s Hepburn that will run the offense and the Badgers need him to be the lead guard to be successful.

On Iowa’s side, Keegan may be gone but his brother, Kris Murray is back. He came off the bench last season but still averaged 9.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 39% from three-point range. He showed in limited chances that he’s more capable of being the focal point of the Hawkeye offense, and while he might not be as naturally gifted as his brother, he is good enough to be an all-conference player as well.

Both teams need multiple players to have big seasons but it’s going to come down to their key returning guys to have a big campaign. It very well could decide the postseason fate for each program.

Home/Big Ten