Big Ten Basketball: Biggest storylines for each team entering 2024-25 season
Oregon Ducks: Jackson Shelstad: the most impactful returnee?
If there was a list of the most impactful returnees in the Big Ten, one would undoubtedly find Jackson Shelstad’s name on it.
Shelstad, who earned PAC-12 All-Freshman team honors last season, had a terrific freshman campaign, averaging 12.8 PPG in nearly 33 minutes. Despite being undersized, Shelstad is excellent at changing speeds with a killer first step. Tyler Metcalf of No Ceilings NBA can attest to that.
I really love how effortlessly Jackson Shelstad manipulates his defender's momentum. His quick first step forces them to turn and chase and then they can't react quick enough as he explodes into his jumper. pic.twitter.com/6iaQS8jjNV
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) January 4, 2024
Dana Altman seems to get the most out of his undersized guards. With the maturity Shestad has already demonstrated leading the charge in the Ducks’ backcourt, the sky is the limit -- and the storylines will continue to flourish -- for Shelstad as the Ducks enter their first season in the Big Ten.
Penn State Nittany Lions: It begins and ends with Ace Baldwin
After a (very) successful three-year run at VCU, Ace Baldwin followed Mike Rhoades to State College.
The reigning 2023-24 Big Ten DPOY -- who led the league in steals (84) and is among the better passers in the Big Ten -- averaged 14.2 PPG and six APG last season. Now more comfortable in the Big Ten, Baldwin looks to be more efficient from the field as he continues his high-volume role offensively.
With nine newcomers en route to State College, the heartbeat and storyline of the 2024-25 Penn State Nittany Lions will surround the talents of Ace Baldwin. Nick Kern and Zach Hicks are key starters returning but none will have as instrumental of a role as Baldwin will have entering the 2024-25 season.