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 Illinois Fighting Illini guard Terrence Shannon Jr. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Illinois Fighting Illini

2022-23 season record: 20-13 (11-9)

Excluding the National Player of the Year, there’s no team in Big Ten Basketball with a more complicated viewpoint than the Illini, who in the next week could have either a top-4 roster or a bottom-4 roster. Hence why they’re placed right in the middle for now.

Illinois definitely will be without second-leading scorer Matthew Mayer, along with underclassmen guards, Jayden Epps, Skyy Clark, and RJ Melendez. They’re also currently dealing with both starting forward Coleman Hawkins and leading scorer Terrence Shannon in the NBA Draft process. Shannon is the second-most important Big Ten player to watch because not only did he average 17.2 ppg to lead the Illini, but he also was the defacto point guard once Clark left the team last season.

The Illini has added a trio of transfers to help withstand the roster losses. Marcus Domask is a 6’6 wing that averaged 16.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 3.8 apg at Southern Illinois and was an all-league player in each of his three full seasons. Justin Harmon is a double-digit scoring transfer from Utah Valley, while Quincy Guerrier is a versatile forward transfer from Oregon.

The team still needs a ball-handler, regardless of whether or not Shannon returns. Otherwise, they’ll have to rely on incoming freshman, Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, to run the point next season.

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