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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Big Ten Basketball Ohio State Buckeyes forward Zed Key Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Big Ten Basketball Ohio State Buckeyes forward Zed Key Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

2022-23 season record: 16-19 (5-15)

The Buckeyes had a miserable past season but if you trust Coach Chris Holtmann, it should have been a one-off. They did lose three of the top four scorers, including freshman Brice Sensabaugh, who is off to the NBA Draft. Seniors Justice Sueing and Sean McNeil are gone, along with Isaac Likekele, Tanner Holden, and Eugene Brown.

Ohio State does bring back a couple of key pieces in starting center Zed Key (10.8 ppg and 7.5 rpg) and freshman guard Bruce Thornton, who will be a consistent Big Ten Basketball breakout player to watch. The same goes for Roddy Gayle Jr. and Felix Okpara, two other key freshmen on the roster.

The team also landed a trio of transfers, led by Jamison Battle. The 6’7 forward averaged 12.4 ppg at Minnesota, as well as 17.5 ppg in the season prior. Another Big Ten transfer is Evan Mahaffey, a 6’6 forward from Penn State that played around 10 mpg last season. And Dale Bonner is a veteran guard that comes from Baylor to add to the backcourt depth.

Add another top-10 incoming recruiting class and you have another talented roster for the Buckeyes. But it’ll have to fit because last season’s group didn’t.

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