Big Ten Basketball: Ranking of top 25 players entering 2023-24 season

20. Tony Perkins – Iowa

Could Perkins be this year’s Iowa player that takes a massive step forward? He’s entering his fourth year in the Hawkeyes’ backcourt and is actually coming off a very productive junior year, one in which he averaged 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Last season was his first as a full-time starter, though his role will be even more important this year without Kris Murray and Filip Rebraca around anymore.

While Perkins isn’t someone who’s going to light it up from downtown, he’s an attacking guard who still does major damage especially in the paint. There’s certainly potential for him to have an expansive role on offense, while he’ll certainly see time at the point as well. The Hawkeyes are depending on him to help carry the load; he is the leading returning scorer from last season after all.

19. Connor Essegian – Wisconsin

Last year, Essegian was just a freshman but still made a pretty significant impact for Wisconsin. Albeit a bit undersized, he had a fantastic first collegiate year, averaging 11.7 points per game and earning his place in the starting lineup for the Badgers. He also made 88% of his free throws and 36% from the 3-point range, a solid number to build on going forward.

You can certainly say he exceeded expectations as a freshman, though that doesn’t mean he can’t also take a sophomore leap. Essegian struggled from long range late in the season, even during Wisconsin’s NIT run. He’s an important guard in this system and he’s certainly athletic, though he’s not a very physical player. If he can continue to develop that shooting touch, especially from outside, then he could develop into a star for the Badgers in the years ahead.