The transfer portal dust has yet to settle, the G League Elite Camp just wrapped up and the NBA Combine is officially underway, meaning there are still plenty of unknowns for many rosters across the Big Ten. In other words, many teams are waiting on the NBA Draft decisions of their stars or are looking to add the finishing touches on their 2025-26 rosters.
Despite this, the rosters across the 18-team Big Ten are beginning to come into full focus with each day passing by. It may only be May, but it's never too early to look forward to the 2025-26 season. Check out the way-too-early Big Ten preseason power rankings.
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
No more Ace Baldwin, no more Zach Hicks and no more Nick Kern. But Mike Rhoades may have Yanic Konan Niederhauser back, who was among the best high-low, pick-and-roll threats in the Big Ten last year alongside Ace Baldwin. But will he return? Niederhauser has a big stay-or-go decision coming up, who impressed at the G League Invite camp, where he is likely heading to the NBA Combine next.
If he leaves, who will be the next man up? In the backcourt, Freddie Dilione V fits that mold. After transferring from Tennessee, Dillione V averaged 9.4 PPG, starting in 28 of 31 games. Kayden Mingo, the highest-ranked recruit in Penn State modern era recruiting history, brings all sorts of upside, too. But the Nittany Lions are young and there isn’t a whole lot of proven depth and rebounding prowess behind Niderhauser in the frontcourt. If he elects to stay in the draft, it’s hard to envision Penn State breaking out of the bottom of the Big Ten.