Big Ten Basketball: Ranking of top 25 players entering 2023-24 season
By Joey Loose
4. Boo Buie – Northwestern
Few expected the kind of season that Northwestern had last season, making a return trip to the Big Dance for just the second time in program history. Buie played a major role in that success, averaging 17.3 points and 4.5 assists per game as a major force in Northwestern’s backcourt. While the Wildcats lost his backcourt partner Chase Audige to the NBA, there’s plenty of excitement for Buie’s fifth and final collegiate season.
He’s not really developed into an elite shooter, but Buie does a little bit of everything as both a scorer and ball distributor. Not only does he have four years of experience, but he’s the kind of point guard who makes the players around him better. Northwestern is in much better shape for this season with Buie back for year five and he could challenge for First Team honors after getting Second Team billing last year.
3. Tyson Walker – Michigan State
After two seasons starring at Northeastern in the CAA, Walker departed for Michigan State as an upperclassman and enters his third and final year with the Spartans. Though year one wasn’t ideal, Walker bounced back last season, averaging 14.8 points and 2.9 assists with inspired play for a talented Michigan State squad that reached the Sweet Sixteen.
He’s shot just over 43% from long range in his two seasons in East Lansing and will be Michigan State’s principle offensive cog once more. Walker is athletic, aggressively, and plays hard and has really developed into an elite guard across his career. There’s a plethora of talent for the Spartans and Walker certainly looks like the shiniest piece of the puzzle; another fantastic season from him could lead to great things at Michigan State.