Coming into the 2025-26 season, there looks to be one clear frontrunner in the Big Ten. But with 18 programs, there are other contenders to watch for. Here's a look at the preseason power rankings, with one month to go.
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
On paper, it looks to be another uphill battle amongst the rigorous Big Ten for the Penn State Nittany Lions. Mike Rhoades lost his impeccable high/low pick-and-roll duo in Ace Baldwin to graduation and Yanic Konan Niederhausert to the NBA. They also lost fellow key contributors in Zach Hicks and Nick Kern, returning just 15.8% of their minutes from last year’s squad that failed to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.
There is a sliver of optimism, however, with incoming do-it-all four-star combo guard Kayden Mingo set to enter the fold. Mingo is a high-flying competitor and the highest-ranked recruit in Penn State's modern recruiting history. Joining Mingo in the backcourt is returnee Freddie Dillione V, who averaged 9.4 PPG, starting in 28 of 31 games last season.
Because of the loss of Niederhauser, the Nittany Lions lost plenty of rebounding prowess. It’s the hope that incoming three-star seven-footer Ivan Juric can help fill that void. But with so much uncertainty and overall lack of unproven production with this roster, it’s hard to envision the Nittany Lions breaking out of the bottom of the Big Ten in 2025-26.
17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Angst is beginning to grow in Piscataway after a turbulent 15-17 (8-12) season despite having two of the most highly-touted recruits not only in the Big Ten, but in NCAA basketball last season with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
With both Harper and Bailey off to the NBA, Rutgers will enter the 2025-26 season with a clean slate. Perhaps that’s a good thing, considering its KenPom defensive efficiency rating plummeted from fifth nationally in 2023-24 to a sub-100 rating in 2024-25.
The hope is Rutgers can regain its defensive identity that helped propel the Scarlet Knights to new heights. But they will have their work cut out for them, returning just one starter, Dylan Grant, who showed promise as a freshman after averaging 5.9 PPG last season.
Dylan Grant, alongside fellow returnee Jamachiel Davis and NJIT transfer Traiq Francis, should make a formidable backcourt. Francis averaged 19.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.6 APG for the Highlanders last season.
The Scarlet Knights will also welcome in George Washington transfer Darren Buchanan Jr. on the wings. Buchanan Jr. had a spectacular freshman season at George Washington before dealing with an ankle injury for most of 2024-25, seeing his offensive splits dip significantly in 2024-25.
But if Rutgers can get back to its defensive identity, it starts with rim protection. That’s where the upside of former four-star recruit and Kansas State transfer Baye Fall becomes increasingly important for Rutgers’ success in 2025-26.
Bottom line: Rutgers is young. There are plenty of unproven faces, including overseas additions of Harun Zrno and Dennis Badlau. There’s a chance this group can be more balanced compared to last season. However, Talent-wise, this group is clearly in the bottom half of the Big Ten.