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Big Ten Basketball: Iowa rises, Michigan State falls in updated WTE 2024-25 rankings

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes interim head coach Jake Diebler talks to guard Bruce Thornton (2) during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes interim head coach Jake Diebler talks to guard Bruce Thornton (2) during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
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17. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Like Penn State, Minnesota also returns its star from last season in Dawson Garcia. The forward led the team with 17.6 ppg and 6.7 rpg in his breakout campaign as a lead guy. Unfortunately, the team didn’t get as many other wins in the offseason.

The first notable issue was the 180 move that point guard Elijah Hawkins made. He was the top passer in the Big Ten (7.5 apg) and was originally slated to return but decided to enter the transfer portal anyway, now at Texas Tech. Starting forward Pharrel Payne transferred out to Texas A&M, while freshman guard Cam Christie entered the NBA Draft.

Dawson and Mike Mitchell are the main returning pieces for the Gophers, with an interesting transfer class as the new supporting cast. Frank Mitchell averaged a double-double at Canisius, while Trey Edmonds averaged 7.0 ppg and 5.8 rpg at UTSA. The backcourt includes Femi Odukale (New Mexico State), Brennan Rigsby (Oregon), Lu’Cye Patterson (Charlotte), and D-3 transfer, Caleb Williams.

There are lots of questions as to how this core will work out in Big Ten play and with four more teams joining, Minnesota could be the team that is most negatively affected.

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