Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 5 early breakout candidates to watch for 2023-24 season

By Tommy McGowan

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Derek Simpson #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 09: Derek Simpson #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles against the Michigan Wolverines during the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images /

Puff Johnson, F, Penn State

It’s a new day in Happy Valley, as Mike Rhoades takes over for the departed Micah Shrewsberry and hopes to keep the momentum going in 2023-24. Rhoades was an understandable hire for the program after Shrewsberry bolted to Notre Dame, but that doesn’t mean the new head man will have it easy. The roster has been overhauled in just a few short weeks, and there’s work to be done to fill out the rotation. Rhoades has been very active in the portal and landed a big name from his previous pit stop, convincing reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Ace Baldwin to come to the Big Ten, but I have my eye on another newcomer.

The younger brother of former North Carolina star and current Brooklyn Net Cam Johnson, Puff Johnson never quite got the opportunity he needed during his time at UNC. Despite spending three seasons in Chapel Hill, there simply was not a consistent role for the 6’8″ forward. He did see his minutes increase this past winter, as he averaged 15.4 MPG and appeared in 27 games, but his decision to enter the portal was not shocking. Now, he gets to return to his native Pennsylvania and make an immediate impact on a new-look roster.

Johnson’s game is still raw, even as he prepares for his fourth year of college basketball, but I love the upside here. He’s unlikely to ever develop the shooting stroke his older brother boasted, but Puff is an extremely active ball player who can play and defend multiple positions. Playing in an up-tempo offense could really bring out the best of his game, and there’s a lot to like about his defensive potential. With so many minutes up for grabs on this current Penn State roster, I think Johnson makes plenty of sense as a breakout candidate.

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