The 2025-26 Big Ten basketball season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years. Purdue once again sits atop the conference mountain, but familiar challengers like Illinois, Michigan, and Michigan State are ready to make their move. With new faces across the league and programs like UCLA and Oregon adjusting to Big Ten life, this season promises drama, depth, and a few surprises along the way.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers are not only the team to beat in the Big Ten Conference, but they might also be the best team in the country. Head coach Matt Painter has been in this position before, and at some point he is going to break through. Point guard Braden Smith is a proven winner, and the Boilermakers should have little trouble rolling through the Big Ten this season.
2. Illinois Fighting Illini
Head coach Brad Underwood has put together an international All-Star team in Champaign this season, and that strategy just might work out. Underwood simply knows how to win games in the Big Ten Conference, and he will have an old and experienced team in 2025-26. The Fighting Illini have one of the best home court advantages in the country, and they will be pushing Purdue for the top spot.
3. UCLA Bruins
Point guard Donovan Dent arrives at UCLA after scoring more than 20 points per game for New Mexico last season. UCLA is always going to be a team that can defend, but now they are going to have the offense to match. Travel is always going to be a huge concern for a team from the West Coast, but the Bruins aren't going to lose many conference games.
4. Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines continue to win big in the transfer portal, and they continue to have an extremely talented frontcourt. Shooting is going to be a concern with Michigan, but they will be nearly unstoppable in the point. With a proven coach in Dusty May, Michigan is going to be a team that can make some big noise in March.
5. Indiana Hoosiers
Darian DeVries is now the man in charge in Bloomington, and that's a huge win for the Hoosiers. DeVries is a terrific college basketball coach, and he has also has a son that will be one of the best in the conference. Indiana is simply too talented to not be one of the best Big Ten conference teams this season.
6. Michigan State Spartans
This will not be one of Tom Izzo's most talented teams in East Lansing, but that's also when he seems to be the most dangerous. Michigan State will once again be extremely tough, and you can expect them to pull off some upsets. If you count Tom Izzo out, that's typically when his team plays the best.
7. Oregon Ducks
Nathan Bittle and Jackson Shelstad give the Oregon Ducks a dynamic duo, and that duo is good enough to get this team contending in the Big Ten. Depth will be an issue for Oregon, and the lack of impact bench players will keep this team from being a top-6 teams.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin is a tough team to figure out as life without John Tonje will provide some challenges. The Badgers still have a ton of talent remaining on this roster, but they will need to find someone that can score at will.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is going to be a good team in 2025-26, but that's about all you can say about him. The Buckeyes will be solid, but you should expect to see them right around .500 all season.
10. Washington Huskies
Washington appears to be one of the most talented teams in the Big Ten Conference, but that doesn't mean they can win games. The Huskies will need to get off to a great start as they have shown that they don't handle adversity well.
11. Iowa Hawkeyes
Ben McCollum takes over the reigns in Iowa this season, and he brought Bennett Stirtz with him. Stirtz was an absolute stud with Drake University in the MVC, but the Big Ten Conference is a different animal. Iowa is likely going to struggle this season, but it won't take McCollum long to get things rolling.
12. USC Trojans
The USC Trojans will be extremely athletic this season, but that was also the case the last few seasons. USC just hasn't been able to figure out Big Ten Conference play, and that is going to continue this season.
13. Maryland Terrapins
Buzz Williams and his frantic style of play will bring a new style to Maryland, but it's unclear if it will work in the Big Ten Conference. Williams has a depleted roster to deal with, and that could spell trouble this season.
14. Northwestern Wildcats
Nick Martinelli might be the best player in the Big Ten Conference, but he is going to have to do it all on his own. There are serious concerns about this roster, and there could be some long days in Evanston.
15. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska is going to be able to score points, but that has been the case over the last few seasons. The Cornhuskers lack size and depth to compete in the Big Ten Conference, and that will spell disaster.
16. Rutgers Scarlett Knights
Head coach Steve Pikiell will be trying to replace a couple of lottery picks this season, and it doesn't appear as if he has done so. Rutgers wasn't able to make much noise with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, and things are going to hit rock bottom this season. Pikiell's seat is going to be hot.
17. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota should look different under head coach Niko Medved, but this team won't have a ton of talent. The Golden Gophers don't have a ton going for them, and it's going to be a rough couple of months.
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is going to have a miserable 2025-26 season in the Big Ten Conference, and it's been a rough year for Nittany Lions fans. Typically they have football to take their mind off of basketball, but that's no longer the case. Expect this team to get blown out often.