Big Ten Basketball: 2024 offseason grades for each team

Northwestern Wildcats - Grade: B+

Northwestern had one of the simpler offseasons compared to other Big Ten Basketball programs, with most of its work being done early. They lost three seniors, including star guard and leading scorer, Boo Buie. But the losses of Ryan Longborg and Blake Preston also hurt.

It’s impossible to replace Buie’s production and overall impact but the Wildcats were able to get guard Jalen Leach to run the offense. He averaged 16.4 ppg and 3.0 apg at Fairfield, shooting 49% from the field and nearly 90% from the FT line. And center Keenan Fitzmorris adds depth inside, joining returning key bigs, Nick Martinelli and Matthew Nicholson.

Probably the best thing for Northwestern is that they’re returning two of the better players in the conference. Brooks Barnhizer (14.6 ppg and 7.5 rpg) is an early contender for Big Ten POY while Ty Berry shot over 43% from deep before suffering a season-ending injury. Assuming he’s back, the Wildcats will have a quality duo to lead with.

Northwestern is one of the few teams in the country that didn’t lose a rotation player to the transfer portal, which gives them as good a collective offseason as possible, especially considering some limitations as to who they can get. Coming off making the NCAA Tournament, the program has continued its positive momentum.