Big Ten Basketball: Early grades for each teams 2023 offseason moves

Jan 21, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg looks on from the bench during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Nebraska 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

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Big Ten Basketball Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Clifford Omoruyi Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Penn State Nittany Lions – Grade: B+

Between seniors like Jalen Pickette and Andrew Funk gone no matter what and the remaining players and class of 2023 commits leaving due to a coaching change, it was going to be a tough task for new Coach Mike Rhoades to build up the roster. But he’s done a good job, mainly thanks to being able to be his best player from VCU with him in Ace Baldwin, the A-10 Player of the Year last season.

Penn State also has a good mix of veteran impact transfers (RayQuandis Mitchell, Leo O’Boyle, Qudus Wahab) and talented underclassmen with multiple years left (Nick Kern, Zach Hicks) to be able to compete both now and then. For a program with not too much history to appeal to transfers, you have to like what they’ve done so far.

9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights – Grade: C-

It’s been an okay month for Rutgers, mainly because they haven’t officially lost one of its star players. Still, it’s not 100% official that Paul Mulcahy will be back for an extra year but just in case, the team landed UMass transfer Noah Fernandes, a talented, yet often injured point guard.

But that’s it. They’ll be looking to bring back a roster that didn’t make the NCAA Tournament without many changes. And despite some local New Jersey targets being available, the Scarlet Knights were in the mix for any of them. They have an awesome 2024 class coming in but next year could be stressful once again.

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