Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Tristan Freeman

Michigan State Spartans' A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6623 MSU huddle
Michigan State Spartans' A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6623 MSU huddle /
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Indiana Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson Iuiowabigtentourneymbb 031222 Am2412
Indiana Hoosiers guard Xavier Johnson Iuiowabigtentourneymbb 031222 Am2412 /

5. Indiana Hoosiers

2022-23 season record: 23-12 (12-8)

No team in Big Ten Basketball has lost more production than Indiana, with the top four leading scorers all gone. Two of them ran out of eligibility in Race Thompson and Miller Kopp, while freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino and star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis are off to the NBA as projected draft picks. Two other rotation players gone are Tamar Bates and Jordan Geronimo.

To Coach Mike Woodson’s credit, he and the staff excelled on the recruiting trail, making reloading in the frontcourt. It started off with landing former five-star prospect and Oregon transfer, Kel’el Ware. Also joining is Ball State center Payton Sparks and Miami combo forward, Anthony Walker.

But the most important splash was landing former Duke wing commit Mackenzie Mgbako, a five-star prospect and projected “one and done” NBA Draft pick. He and Ware alone give the Hoosiers one of the highest ceilings in all of Big Ten Basketball.

Having veteran guard Xavier Johnson back for a 6th year gives Indiana stability in the backcourt. But unless Trey Galloway or Anthony Leal is ready for large roles at the shooting guard position, the team is still one shooter away from being a ranked team nationally next season. There are going to be some spacing concerns in the frontcourt but from a raw talent perspective, there’s a lot to like with the Hoosiers’ current roster.

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