We run through all 14 Big Ten teams talking about what we think each team will be this year while letting you know who is returning, who the newcomers are, and who we think will start, in our team capsules!

2021-22: First Place in Big Ten (23-10), lost in second round of NCAAs to Houston

Returning Rotation Reserves (3): Coleman Hawkins (6’10 Jr, started 14 games, 6ppg, 4pg), Luke Goode (6’7 Soph, 9mins a game, 37% 3pt shooter), RJ Melendez (6’7 Soph, 9mins a game, 57% fg shooter, 4ppg)

Transfer Additions (3): Dain Dainja (6’9 Soph, played 3 games for Baylor in two years),  Matthew Mayer (6’9 5th Year Sr, started 33 games for Baylor last year, 10ppg, 5rpg, career 34.5% 3pt shooter), Terrence Shannon Jr (6’6 Sr, started 20 games last year for Texas Tech, 10.5ppg, 38.4 3pt %)

Prep Recruits (4): Skyy Clark (6’4 PG, ranked 31st nationally), Ty Rodgers (6’6 PF, ranked 49th), Jayden Epps (6’2 CG, ranked 68th), Sincere Harris (6’3 SG, ranked 105th)

Predicted Starting Five:  Skyy Clark (1), RJ Melendez (2), Terrence Shannon Jr (3), Matthew Mayer (4), Coleman Hawkins (5)

Team Thoughts: Having lost six of their top seven players from last season Illinois did a good job mixing a strong high school recruiting class with a couple transfers that will be impact starters (two of the top 15 ranked transfers).  The talent level will be high but will this team have the chemistry needed to contend for another Big Ten title?  And will a very young guard group be able to handle the rigors of a 4.5 month season?  A few too many questions for me to put them in the same spot that everybody else is but the talent level will certainly be high. The expectations for RJ Melendez are already massive, he might be one of the most hyped guys coming into a year I’ve ever seen that played eight minutes a game the year before. The potential is big but can Melendez make THAT big of a jump matching “best shooting guard in the Big Ten” type hype?   Everything will be reliant on how the chemistry forms between the young backcourt, the few returning guys, and the veteran transfers. Talented but the expectations thrown down already have been huge.

2021-22: Ninth Place in Big Ten (21-14), lost in first round round of NCAAs to St Mary’s

Returning Starters (4):  Trayce Jackson-Davis (6’9 4th Year Jr, 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 2nd Team All Big Ten last year), Race Thompson (6’8 6th year Sr, 11.1ppg, 7.5rpg, 29min a game), Xavier Johnson (6’3 5th Year Sr, 12ppg, 5apg, 4rpg in 28min per game), Miller Kopp (6’7 5th year Sr, 6ppg, 36% 3pt, 25min per game)

Returning Rotation Reserves (4):  Trey Galloway (6’4 3rd Year Soph, 5.5ppg, 46% fg shooter, 21min per game), Jordan Geronimo (6’6 3rd year Soph, 4.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 12min per game), Tamar Bates (6’5 Soph, 4ppg in 14min per game), Anthony Leal (6’5 3rd Year Soph, 2pg, started two games)

Transfer Additions (0): no scholarship transfer additions

Prep Recruits (4): Jalen Hood-Schifino (6’6 CG ranked 22nd nationally), Malik Reneau (6’9 PF, ranked 28th), Kaleb Banks (6’7 PF, ranked 85th), CJ Gunn (6’5 SG, ranked 171th)

Predicted Starting Five:  Xavier Johnson (1), Jalen Hood-Schifino (2), Miller Kopp (3), Race Thompson (4), Trayce-Jackson Davis (5)

Team Thoughts: The word depth won’t be used in college basketball much anymore as the transfer portal has completely washed away the word “patience” in the sport.  So when you see a team with depth like IU not to mention a ton of experience - 4 returning starters and four returning reserves - you instantly expect greater things for them.  When you add in that Trayce Jackson-Davis will be the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year and IU has two outstanding freshmen recruits from a strong class ready to play immediately, you have what looks like the Big Ten preseason number one.  And the greatest hope for IU basketball in the last ten years. College basketball programs are putting in a lot of effort to get older in the modern game but IU did it by bringing their returning veterans back whereas the rest of college basketball is getting older with transfers.  Their experience together gives them as big of an advantage as their overall talent level does. 

2021-22: Fourth Place in Big Ten (26-10), lost in first round round of NCAAs to Richmond

Returning Starters (3): Filip Rebraca (6’9 5th year Sr, 5.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 53.4% fg in 21min a game), Patrick McCaffery (6’9 4th year Jr, 10.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 33% 3pt shooter), Tony Perkins (6’4 Jr 7.4ppg, 1.6apg, 32% 3pt)

Returning Rotation Reserves (4):  Kris Murray (6’8 Jr, 9.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 38% 3pt, 48% fg in 17min a game), Connor McCaffery (6’5 6th Year Sr, 2.5ppg, 2.5prg, 34% 3pt), Payton Sandfort (6’7 Soph 5ppg, 2rpg 37% 3pt fg), Ahron Ulis (6’3 Jr, 3.2ppg, 2prg), 

Prep Recruits (2): Dasonte Bowen (6’3 PG ranked 137th national), Josh Dix (6’4 SG ranked 153rd)

Predicted Starting Five:  Tony Perkins (1), Connor McCaffery (2), Patrick McCaffery (3), Kris Murray (4), Filip Rebraca (5)

Team Thoughts:  I think Iowa is going to be a lot better than people think.  I think the ball will move more than it has allowing rhythm shooters to flourish - Patrick McCaffery and Sandfort - and I think that Rebraca, Perkins, and Murray are going to take big steps forward.  The Hawkeyes have seven players back from last year with a combined 26 years of college basketball experience (including this year as their years started back in June) plus a couple solid freshmen and bigs that are waiting in the wings as deep bench alternatives.  The team will play a little different as they won’t be as dependent on one scorer but the chemistry will be there.  I’m not saying they are going to make a deep NCAA run but I am saying they have a better chance to contend in the Big Ten than most think.

2021-22: 10th Place in the Big Ten (15-17)

Returning Starters (2):  Donta Scott (6’8 Sr, 12.6ppg, 6.2rpg, 35% 3pt in 33min a game), Hakim Hart (6’8 Sr, 10ppg, 3.6rpg, 2agp, 52.7%fg in 31min a game), 

Returning Rotation Reserves (2): Julian Reese (6’9 Soph, 5.7ppg, 4.4rpg, in 17min a game), Ian Martinez (6’3 Soph, 2.8ppg, 34% fg in 12 min a game)

Transfer Additions (4): Don Carey (6’5 5th year Sr, 13.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3apg at Georgetown last year), Jahmir Young (6’1 4th Year Jr, 19.6ppg, 6rpg, 3.7apg, 47%fg at Charlotte last year), Patrick Emilien (6’7 5th year Sr, 12.5ppg, 6.5rpg at St. Francis last year), Jahari Long (6’5 Jr, 24 games played total in two years at Seton Hall scoring one point a game), 

Prep Recruits (2):  Noah Batchelor (6’6 SF ranked 200th in class nationally), Caelum Swanton-Rdger (6’10 C unranked)

Predicted Starting Five:  Jahmir Young (1), Dom Carey (2), Hakim Hart (3), Donta Scott (4), Julian Reese (5)

Team Thoughts:   I really like the four man group of Young, Carey, Hart, and Scott.  Between the four of them the Terps should get a lot of offense, and these are experienced players.  The problem though is this will be a small team, those four players will have to play a ton of minutes, and if any of those four gets hurt this team might lack the depth it needs for Kevin Willard to have the first year he wants to have.  There are only six, maybe seven guys on this roster with a fair share of college basketball experience and while that can work with a couple others filling in the gaps, everything will need to go right for them to make the run they want.  Maryland has the talent to play with most and beat some good teams, but they are also one injury away from one of those four players (Young, Carey, Hart, or Scott) from being very short on depth and experience.  Maryland seems like a 10th place area team once again BUT in this year’s wide open Big Ten where many teams are short on depth, they can make a run if they are among the league's healthiest teams. 

2021-22: 7th Place in the Big Ten (19-15), lost in the Sweet 16 to Villanova 

Returning Starters (1):  Hunter Dickinson (7’1 Jr, 18.6ppg, 8.6rpg 1.5bpg, shot 56.3% from field), 

Returning Rotation Reserves (2): Terrance Williams II (6’7 Jr, 4.7ppg, 2.4rpg, 44.5% fg), Kobe Bufkin (6’4 Soph 3ppg, 10min per game, shot 22% 3pt), Jace Howard (6’7 Jr, played in 14 games), Will Tschetter (6’8 redshirt Fr, red-shirted last year), Isaiah Barnes (6’7 redshirt Fr, red-shirted last year)

Transfer Additions (2): Jaelin Llewellyn (6’2 5th Year Sr, 15.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.5ast, 44.5% fg at Princeton), Joey Baker (5th Year Sr, 4.5ppg, 43.2 %fg in 12min a game at Duke)

Prep Recruits (4):  Tarris Reed (6’10 C ranked 33rd in the nation), Jett Howard (6’7 SF ranked 39th), Dug McDaniel (5’11 PG ranked 78th), Gregg Glenn (6’7 PF ranked 116th)

Predicted Starting Five:  Jaelin Llewellyn (1), Kobe Bufkin (2), Jett Howard (3), Terrance Williams II (4), Hunter Dickinson (5)

Team Thoughts:  I feel much about the Michigan roster in the same way that I do the Illinois roster this year:  few returning pieces expected to jump into big roles, transfers that will have huge expectations that I’m not sure they will be able to live up to, and a really good recruiting class that will have to play key roles quickly.  I’m not all sure all of that will instantly work chemistry wise but if it does, they have a chance to be very good.  The big difference between Illinois and Michigan though is Hunter Dickinson, an All Big Ten first teamer. Dickinson will be one of the top two returning players in the league.  When you look at that Michigan starting group though, it’s two guys stepping into much bigger roles, a frosh that needs to produce immediately, and Jaelin Llewellyn who didn’t have a great year last year all needing to mesh.  It’s talented but complex.  

2021-22: 7th place in the Big Ten (23-13), lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Duke

Returning Starters (2):  Joey Hauser (6’9 5th Year Sr, 7.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 22min per game, 41% 3pt fg), Tyson Walker (6’0 Sr, 8.2ppg, 4.3apg, 47% 3pt fg)

Returning Rotation Reserves (5): A.J. Hoggard (6’4 Jr, 7ppg, 4.3apg, 44%fg), Malik Hall (6’8 Sr, 9ppg, 4.6rpg, 52% fg), Jaden Akins (6’4 Soph, 3.4ppg, 38% 3pt), Mady Sissoko (6’9 Soph, 4.5min per game), Pierre Brooks (6’6 Soph, 4min per game)

Prep Recruits (2): Jaxon Kohler (6’10 C, 54th ranked player in class nationally), Tre Holloman (6’3 PG, 74th ranked player in nation)

Predicted Starting Five:  A.J. Hoggard (1), Jaden Akins (2), Malk Hall (3), Joey Hauser (4), Maddy Sissoko (5)

Team Thoughts:  Tom Izzo’s team has seven rotation players back from last season, a couple top 100 recruits likely to enter the rotation, and a couple talents ready for bigger roles. While Sissoko and Brooks did play in most games the minutes were limited and this pair along with Keon Coleman should be ready for bigger roles.  These three along with Kohler and Holloman are inexperienced but very talented.  The group of returning talent includes two forwards that should lead the way - Hall and Hauser - and guards that have shown signs but will they bring this team over the top?  Hoggard looks like he is ready for the one while Walker can play both spots.  The Spartans will need the shooting of both Walker and Akins to improve.  MSU has the potential to be one of the more talented teams in the league and one of the deeper teams in the league.  But will they have the right chemistry to be a top of the league team?  Enough shooting?  Time will tell. 

2021-22: 13th place in the Big Ten (13-17)

Returning Starters (1):  Jamison Battle (6’4 4th Year Jr, 17.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 37% 3pt fg)

Returning Rotation Reserves (1): Treyton Thompson (7’1 Soph, 2ppg, 1.5pg in 8min per game 47%fg)

Transfer Additions (3): Dawson Garcia (6’11 3rd Year Soph, 9ppg, 6rb in 16 games at North Carolina), Ta’Lon Cooper (6’4 4th Year Jr, 9ppg, 4.5rpg, 6apg at Morehead State), Taurus Samuels (6’1 5th Year Sr, 9.4ppg, 2rpg, 2apg, 36.5% fg at Dartmouth)

Prep Recruits (5):  Pharrel Payne (6’9 C 168th nationally ranked by 247), Jaden Henley (6’7 SF 188th nationally ranked by 247), Joshua Ola-Joseph (6’7 SF ranked 219th), Braeden Carrington (6’4 SG ranked 223rd), Kadyn Betts (6’8 Forward)

Predicted Starting Five:  Ta’Lon Cooper (1), Braeden Carrington (2), Jamison Battle (3), Dawson Garcia (4), Pharrel Payne (5)

Team Thoughts:  Having seen so many of these Gopher players they are bringing in I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever disagreed with rankings as much as I do with what is attached to these 2022 basketball recruits and Minnesota. Carrington has a real chance to start and was a top three player in Minnesota’s high school senior class along with Payne and Holloman.  Those two could start with Jamison Battle - who I believe has first team All Big Ten potential - and Dawson Garcia who I think will be the best impact transfer in the Big Ten (ranked below the Illinois duo and Jahmir Young). Garcia is a former McDonald’s All American who scored 14 a game as a frosh at Marquette and had some really good games for UNC (look up what he did vs Purdue) before the health of his family back home became a way bigger priority.   Throw in Cooper - who was 7th in the nation in assists last year - and I really like this group of newcomers mixing with Battle and former 4 star recruit Treyton Thompson. Guard depth is still a concern as does losing Isaiah Ihnen and Parker Fox to injuries for the second straight season.  And last year’s four wins in Big Ten play still drag us back prediction wise but the talent level has surely increased. 

2021-22: 13th place in the Big Ten (10-22)

Returning Starters (1):  Derrick Walker (6th Year Sr, 9.5ppg, 6rpg, 60% fg in 26min a game), 

Returning Rotation Reserves (3): Keisei Tominaga (5th Yr Jr, 5.7ppg, 33% 3pt fg, 16min per game), C.J. Wilcher (3rd year Soph, 8.1ppg, 40.7% 3pt fg), Wilhelm Breidenbach (6’10 Soph, 3..7ppg, 2.7rpg, 37% fg)

Transfer Additions (5):  Emmanuel Bandoumel (5th Year Sr, 10.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 35% 3pt fg in 31 min per game at SMU), Juwan Gary (6’6 Jr, 6.5pg, 3.4rpg in 15min a game at Alabama), Sam Griesel (6’6 5th Year Sr, 14.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.4apg, 38% 3pt fg at North Dakota State), Blaise Keita (6’11 3rd year soph, 12.8ppg, 9.8rpg at Coffeyville CC), Jeff Grace (6’3 Redshirt Fr, transfer from Arizona State)

Prep Recruits (4):  Ramel Lloyd (6’6 SF, ranked 100th nationally), Jamarques Lawrence (6’3 SG ranked 173rd), Denim Dawson (6’5 SF ranked 274th), Cale Jacobsen (6’4 SG unranked)

Predicted Starting Five:  Sam Griesel (1), C.J. Wilcher (2), Emmanuel Bandoumel (3), Derrick Walker (4), Blaise Keita (5)

Team Thoughts:  I’ve said it many times and I will stand by it, I just believe that Nebraska is too difficult of a place to win at.  It’s not the fans (they support that team for sure), it’s not the school’s effort (they’ve done some great things there), and it’s not the coach (they have had good coaches there), I just don’t think the Huskers can consistently get enough talent there to be a consistent winner.  That said, every once in a while they can put together something that works.  Is this the year?  

I really like the effort Fred Hoiberg put in to get talent replacing six guys from last year’s rotation including four starters.  The addition of Sam Griesel is vastly underrated, Keita is the best juco addition in America, Lloyd is a four star prep and Emmanuel Bandoumel is a nice addition that should start.  That’s a job well done by Hoiberg.  But will it be enough?  Will the chemistry mix? Will they be deep enough?  I thought they had some talent last year and still they won a Big Ten low ten games.  Lots of questions, but like any team in this league this year, if they stay healthy and the chemistry mixes, anybody can make a run, Nebraska included (despite losing four starters from a ten win team). 

2021-22: 10th place in the Big Ten (15-16)

Returning Starters (4): Boo Buie (6’2 4th year Jr, 14.ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.3apg, 34% 3pt), Robbie Beran (6’9 4th Year Jr, 6.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 47% fg), Chase Audige (6’4, 6th Year Jr, 9.8ppg, 4.2rpg, 34% fg), Julian Roper II (6’3 Soph, 4ppg, 3.4rpg, 20min a game)

Returning Rotation Reserves (1): Ty Berry (6’3 3rd year Soph, 7.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 39% 3pt), Matthew Nicholson (7’0 3rd year Soph, 1.8ppg, played only part time), Brooks Barnhizer (6’6 Soph, little used last year)

Transfer Additions (1): Tydus Berhoeven (6’9 6th year Sr, 6.6ppg, 4.6rpg in 25min a game at UTEP), 

Prep Recruits (2): Luke Hunger (6’10 PF/C, ranked 196th nationally), Nick Martinelli (6’8 SF)

Predicted Starting Five:  Boo Buie (1), Julian Roper II (2), Chase Audige (3), Luke Hunger (4), Robbie Beran (5)

Team Thoughts: Northwestern has had a rough stretch when it comes to their roster losing a key recruit in the middle of the winter and then seeing four players transfer out of the program.  The Cats do have four starters back and a player in Ty Berry who has started, but after that there is a real lack of experience and talent filling out this roster.  The core of it has chemistry and experience, but what surrounds it is uncertainty.  Chris Collins is in his 10th year at Northwestern so there is uncertainty there as well.  So, will this team rally around their coach and around the doubt, or will they come out and have a solid season? They do have experience and many don’t have that, but they are very short on depth and momentum. 

2021-22: 4th Place in the Big Ten (20-12), lost to Villanova in the second round of the NCAA Tournament

Returning Starters (2): Zed Key (6’8 3rd Year Soph, 7.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 56% fg), Justice Sueing (6’7 6th Year Senior, 11ppg, 5.5rpg, 36% 3pt Two years ago, injured last year)

Returning Rotation Reserves (2): Eugene Brown III (6’6, 3rd year Jr, 3.4ppg, 2.4rpg, 23% 3pt), Kalen Etzler (6’8 Redshirt Fr, sat out last year), Seth Towns (6’8 7th Year Sr, 3.8ppg, 2.2rpg, has missed three full years to injury)

Transfer Additions (3): Tanner Holden (6’6 4th year Jr, 20ppg, 7rpg, 2.5apg, 34% 3pt, 50% fg at Wright State), Isaac Likehele (6’5 5th Year Sr, 7.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.1apg at Oklahoma State last year), Sean McNeil (6’3 5th Year Sr, 12ppg, 2.5rpg, 37% 3pt at West Virginia last year). 

Prep Recruits (5):  Roddy Gayle Jr (6’4 SG, ranked 42nd nationally), Bruce Thornton (6’1 PG, ranked 43rd), Felix Okpara (6’11 C, ranked 58th), Brice Sensabaugh (6’6 SF, ranked 61st), Bowen Hardman (6’3 SG ranked 303)

Predicted Starting Five: Isaac Likekele (1), Sean McNeil (2), Tanner Holden (3), Justice Sueing (4), Zed Key (5) 

Team Thoughts: I look at that Ohio State projected starting five and think “Man, the second team might match them or beat them many days in practice”.  That is both a good thing and a bad thing.  It’s good because the OSU freshman class is very, very good and will play a big role in the 22-23 season.  You take the frosh, the constantly injured Seth Towns, and the deep bench guys and you get a good back-up at each starting spot.  But how long will it take for them to beat out what I have as projected starters?  WIll Sueing and/or Towns hold up this year coming back from injury?  Can Holden and McNeil be as strong in the Big Ten as they were at their previous spots?  I really like Likehele for this team and I like the potential depth, but I’m not sure if anybody is ready to be a top line, All Big Ten type of guy.  It’s a very interesting group of players.  If the many, many veterans mix with the talented newcomers great things could happen.  But if the two groups don’t mesh it could be messy.  Tough to know how it all works out. 

2021-22: 10th Place in the Big Ten (14-17)

Returning Starters (4):  Jalen Pickett (6’4 5th Year Sr, 13.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 42% fg), Seth Lundy (6’6 4th Year Sr, 12ppg, 5rpg, 35% 3pt), Myles Dread (6’4 5th Year Sr, 6ppg, 3rb. 41% 3pt), Dallion Johnson (3rd Year Soph, 4ppg, 36.5 3pt%)

Returning Rotation Reserves (0): Caleb Dorsey (6’7 3rd Year Soph, played only 70 minutes)

Transfer Additions (3): Andrew Funk (6’5 5th Year Sr, 17.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 3apg, 36% 3pt at Bucknell last year), Michael Henn (7th Year Sr, This guy is on his FIFTH college, 9ppg, 4.5rpg, 2apg, 38% 3pt), Camren Wynter (6’2 5th Year Sr, 16ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.6apg, 42%fg 27% 3pt)

Prep Recruits (4): Kebba Njie (6’8 C, ranked 110th nationally), Jameel Brown (6’4 CG 134th), Kanye Clary (5’11 PG 179th), Evan Mahaffey (6’5 SF 182nd), Demetrius Lilley (6’10 C 235th)

Predicted Starting Five:  Camren Wynter (1), Andrew Funk (2), Jalen Pickett (3), Seth Lundy (4), Kebba Njie (5)

Team Thoughts:  The Lions will surely be experienced.  Their eight scholarship veterans will finish this year with 37 years of college basketball experience!  You can certainly see that PSU was looking for a type as both Wynter and Funk are excellent decision makers who have limited mistakes.  This team will have shooting and veteran guard and wing experience plus they do have four starters back although a couple of those returning starters may have to come off the bench (which is a good thing depth wise of course).  A solid recruiting class will help them up front of Njie and/or Lilley are ready.  The other player with size is Michael Henn who has to rank with the oldest players in college basketball next winter as he’s playing for his fifth college in seven seasons!  Jalen Pickett should make for an all league push and this is a tough veteran team, if they can compete up front they will be in the mix all year.

2021-22: 3rd place in the Big Ten (29-8), lost in the Sweet Sixteen to St. Peter’s

Returning Starters (2): Zach Edey (7’4 3rd year Soph, 14.4ppg, 7.7rpg, 65%fg), Mason Gillis (6’6 4th year Soph, 6.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 41% 3pt)

Returning Rotation Reserves (3): Caleb Furst (6’10 Soph, 4.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 57% fg), Brandon Newman (6’4 4th Year Soph, 4.6ppg, 2rpg, 32% 3pt), Ethan Morton (6’6 3rd year Soph, 2.4ppg, 1.5apg, 1.5rpg, 44% 3pt), Trey Kaufman (6’8 PF, red-shirted last year, ranked 44th in the nation out of HS)

Transfer Additions (1): David Jenkins Jr (6’1 6th Year Sr, 8.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 38%fg)

Prep Recruits (4): Fletcher Loyer (6’3 PG, ranked 91st nationally), Camden Heide (6’5 SF, ranked 127th), Braden Smith (5’10 PG, ranked 191st), Willam Berg (7’2 C, unranked)

Predicted Starting Five:  David Jenkins Jr (1), Brandon Newman (2), Trey Kaufman (3), Mason Gillis (4), Zach Edey (5)

Team Thoughts:  Will Purdue get the ball handling they will need to be a high level contender once again?  David Jenkins Jr and Fletcher Loyer are candidates but will that be enough? On the flip side, Zach Edey is going to be a first team All Big Ten talent in the paint and the Boilermakers have a solid recruiting class coming in that will be counted on for depth.  There are experienced players that will step into bigger roles - Morton, Newman, Furst, and Gillis - and Matt Painter has done an excellent job developing talent.  A key factor here is Trey Kaufman, a top 50 level recruit who red-shirted last year after injury, stepping into a key role.  Kaufman has the talent although it will be his first year.  This should be a talented team but like many others in the Big Ten, it all depends on health and chemistry of how the roster forms together.  

2021-22: Finished in 4th place in the Big Ten (18-14), lost in the First Four to Notre Dame

Returning Starters (3):  Clifford Omoruyi (6’11 3rd Year Soph, 12ppg, 8rpg, 64% fg), Paul Mulcahy (4th Year Jr, 9ppg, 5.3apg, 4rpg, 34.5& 3pt), Caleb McConnell (6’7 5th Year Sr, 7ppg, 5rpg, 39% fg),

Returning Rotation Reserves (4): Mawot Mag (6’7 3rd Year Soph, 3ppg, 2rpg, 23.5% fg), Aundre Hyatt (6’6 5th Year Jr, 4.3ppg, 2.8rpg 27% 3pt), Jalen Miller (6’2 Soph, 6 of 17fg for season, 8min a game in 24 games), Dean Reiber (6’10 3rd year Soph, 3ppg, 1.3rpg, 53% fg)

Transfer Additions (1): Cam Spencer (6’4 4th Year Sr, 19ppg, 5rpg, 3apg, 47% fg)

Prep Recruits (2): Derek Simpson (6’2 PG, ranked 222nd), Antwone Woolfolk (6’7 PF ranked 284th)

Predicted Starting Five:  Paul Mulcahy (1), Cam Spencer (2), Caleb McConnell (3), Mawot Mag (4), Clifford Omoruyi (5)

Team Thoughts:  Many will look at the six players they lost and think this team could slip hard.  I don’t know that they will slip hard for a number of reasons: 1) they will be one of the toughest defensive teams many will face, 2) Paul Mulcahy is a great lead guard, 3) Clifford Omoruyi will be one of many very good Big Ten posts, and they do have seven guys back who played 24 or more games last year.  That said, I don’t think that the players that graduated were replaced by enough young talent and I don’t know that the veterans on this team can make up for what was lost offensively.  I think this team will go through a lot of pockets where they struggle to score and they will need what is likely to be a high level defense to keep them close.  That’s something they can commonly do, until they get too tired.  And will they have the depth to bail them out of tough spots?  I am skeptical.  Like a lot of pieces on this team from a pure hoops standpoint, I’m just not sure how many of them can score enough. 

2021-22: Finished in 1st place in the Big Ten (25-8), lost in the Second Round to Iowa State

Returning Starters (3):  Tyler Wahl (6’9 4th Year Junior, 11.5ppg, 6rpg, 51.6%), Steven Crowl (7’0 3rd Year Sophomore, 8.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 50% fg), Chucky Hepburn (6’2 Soph, 8ppg, 2.5apg, 2rpg),

Returning Rotation Reserves (3): Jahcobi Neath (6’4 4th Year Junior, 1.6ppg 25%fg), Carter Gilmore (6’7 3rd year Sophomore, played in 22 games), Jordan Davis (6’4 3rd Year Sophomore, played 6min per game in 27 games), Chris Hodges (6’9 Redshirt Fr, former 4 star recruit), Markus Iver (6’8 Soph, played in 8 games last year)

Transfer Additions (2):  Max Klesmit (6’3 3rd Year Soph, 15ppg, 34% 3pt transfer from Wofford), Kamari McGee (6’0 Soph, 11.6ppg, 2apg, transfer from Green Bay)

Prep Recruits (1):  Connor Essegian (6’4 SG ranked 225th in the nation)

Predicted Starting Five:  Chucky Hepburn (1), Max Klesmit (2), Jordan Davis (3), Tyler Wahl (4), Steven Crowl (5)

Team Thoughts:  I’m sure people are going to look at the line-up, think back to the biggest names (Johnny D and Brad Davison) and remember they are gone, learn that three of the top four reserves are gone and think “they will take a step back”.  And they will be wrong.  No team has been written off more than the Badgers, and at the end of the year they are top four in the league again. 

A big part of this season depends on where Chucky Hepburn is this season.  He will need to take a big step and I think he will. You know what you are getting from Wahl and I think Crowl will take another step.  I really like the transfers, Klesmit and McGee.  Both have the talent to play key roles.  So much depends on how Neath (injured last year), Davis, Hodges, and Iver progress.  They will need a couple of them to step into dependable roles and if that happens, they will contend again. 

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