Now that we’ve gone team-by-team through the league and carefully examined roster turnover, it is time to put everything together with our first edition of 2022-23 Big Ten basketball power rankings. In this stage of the evaluation we add in factors such as league schedule and overall roster talent.
We’ll no doubt be accused of being homers for this, but on paper it just becomes impossible to go any other direction than Indiana at the top spot. The Hoosiers return simply more production and have more depth than anyone else.
The No. 2 through No. 9 spots were by far the toughest part of this exercise, as very little seems to separate this group of eight. We could see No. 2 finishing 12-8, and No. 9 finishing 8-12. All of them will contend for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, and any of those teams could beat the others in that group on any given day.
Meanwhile, the teams in the No. 10 through No. 14 spots seem to pretty clearly be out of the conversation when it comes to the conference contenders in 2022-23.
Try your hand at ranking the league 1-14 in the comments section.
1. Indiana
Nobody returns more minutes or production from a year ago. That, along with arguably the best big man, point guard and freshman in the league puts the Hoosiers on top going into the season. But questions about perimeter shooting remain, and a challenging league schedule means there could be many tough nights.
– Home: Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin
– Away: Maryland, Minnesota, Penn State
– Home/Away: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers
WHO’S GONE:
- Parker Stewart (6.2 PPG),
- Rob Phinisee (4.5 PPG),
- Khristian Lander (2.9 PPG),
- Michael Durr (1.5 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Trayce Jackson-Davis C, (18.3 PPG),
- Xavier Johnson PG, (12.1 PPG),
- Race Thompson PF, (11.1 PPG),
- Miller Kopp SF, (6.0 PPG),
- Trey Galloway SG, (5.5 PPG),
- Jordan Geronimo F, (4.4 PPG),
- Tamar Bates SG, (3.9 PPG),
- Anthony Leal SF, (1.9 PPG),
- Logan Duncomb C, (0.7 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- None
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Jalen Hood-Schifino PG, (5-star, No. 23),
- Malik Reneau PF, (4-star, No. 29),
- Kaleb Banks F, (4-star, No. 88),
- C.J. Gunn SG, (3-star, No. 174)
RETURNING MINUTES: 78.1 percent (per barttorvik.com)
2. Purdue
There are real questions at point guard and major shoes to fill elsewhere, but if Matt Painter can feature Zach Edey for 30 minutes a game and surround him with shooters, Purdue will be a very tough out. Also consider — Purdue gets nine games total against Northwestern, Nebraska, Penn State, Maryland and Minnesota.
– Home: Illinois, Iowa, Rutgers
– Away: Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin
– Home/Away: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Penn State
WHO’S GONE:
- Jaden Ivey (17.3 PPG),
- Trevion Williams (12.0 PPG),
- Sasha Stefanovic (10.4 PPG),
- Eric Hunter Jr. (6.2 PPG),
- Isaiah Thompson (4.2 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Zach Edey, C (14.4 PPG),
- Mason Gillis, PF (6.4 PPG),
- Brandon Newman, SG (4.6 PPG),
- Caleb Furst, PF (4.1 PPG),
- Ethan Morton, SG (2.4 PPG),
- Trey Kaufman-Renn, PF (DNP – redshirt),
- Brian Waddell, SF (DNP – redshirt)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- David Jenkins Jr., SG (8.5 PPG at Utah)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Fletcher Loyer, SG (4-star, No. 92),
- Camden Heide, SF (3-star, No. 130),
- Braden Smith, PG (3-star, No. 194),
- William Berg, C (NR/International)
RETURNING MINUTES: 39.5 percent (per barttorvik.com)
3. Michigan
Hunter Dickinson gives Juwan Howard a star to build around, but it is impossible to ignore the magnitude of the losses in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines also benefit from nine games against the bottom five teams, which should help ease the transition.
– Home: Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue
– Away: Illinois, Iowa, Rutgers
– Home/Away: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Eli Brooks (12.8 PPG),
- DeVante’ Jones (10.3 PPG),
- Caleb Houstan (10.1 PPG),
- Moussa Diabate (9.0 PPG),
- Zeb Jackson (3.3 PPG),
- Brandon Johns Jr., (3.2 PPG),
- Frankie Collins (2.8 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Hunter Dickinson – C, (18.6 PPG),
- Terrance Williams II -SF, (4.7 PPG),
- Kobe Bufkin – SG, (3.0 PPG),
- Jace Howard – SF, (1.1 PPG),
- Isaiah Barnes – SF, (redshirt),
- Will Tschetter – PF, (redshirt)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Jaelin Llewellyn – PG, (15.7 PPG at Princeton)
- Joey Baker – SG, (4.5 PPG at Duke)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Tarris Reed- PF/C, (No. 33),
- Jett Howard – SF, (No. 39),
- Dug McDaniel – PG, (No. 78),
- Gregg Glenn – PF (No. 116),
- Youssef Khayat – SF (Lebanon)
RETURNING MINUTES: 27.5 percent (per barttorvik.com)
4. Illinois
It is a complete overhaul in Champaign. Brad Underwood hasn’t won meaningfully without Kofi Cockburn, and it may be another year before he does. But the Illini have talent and also benefit from nine games against the bottom five.
– Home: Michigan, Michigan State, Rutgers
– Away: Iowa, Maryland, Purdue
– Home/Away: Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Kofi Cockburn (20.9 PPG),
- Alfonso Plummer (14.6 PPG ),
- Trent Frazier (11.6 PPG),
- Jacob Grandison (9.6 PPG),
- Andre Curbelo (7.5 PPG),
- Da’Monte Williams (3.9 PPG),
- Austin Hutcherson (2.8 PPG),
- Omar Payne (1.8 PPG),
- Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk (1.6 PPG),
- Brandin Podziemski (1.4 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Coleman Hawkins, SF, (5.9 PPG),
- RJ Melendez, SG, (3.8 PPG),
- Luke Goode, SF, (2.0 PPG),
- Brandon Lieb, C, (0.8 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Portal
- Terrence Shannon Jr., SG, (10.4 PPG at Texas Tech),
- Matthew Mayer, PF, (9.8 PPG at Baylor),
- Dain Dainja, PF, (2.0 PPG at Baylor)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Skyy Clark, PG (No. 30)
- Ty Rodgers, PF (No. 48)
- Jayden Epps, CG (No. 67),
- Sencire Harris, SG (No. 106)
- Zacharie Perrine, PF (France)
RETURNING MINUTES: 16.5 percent (per barttorvik.com)
5. Ohio State
Now entering his sixth season in Columbus, Chris Holtmann has major shoes to fill in Liddell and Branham, but if nothing else he’s proven he can find answers with the hand he’s dealt.
– Home: Minnesota, Penn State, Wisconsin
– Away: Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska
– Home/Away: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers
WHO’S GONE:
- E.J. Liddell (19.4 PPG),
- Malaki Branham (13.7 PPG),
- Kyle Young (8.2 PPG),
- Jamari Wheeler (7.1 PPG),
- Justin Ahrens (4.8 PPG),
- Meechie Johnson Jr. (4.4 PPG),
- Cedric Russell (4.2 PPG),
- Joey Brunk (2.4 PPG),
- Jimmy Sotos (1.8 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Zed Key, C (7.8 PPG),
- Justice Sueing, SF (6.0 PPG),
- Eugene Brown III, SG (3.5 PPG),
- Seth Towns, SF (3.8 in 2020-21),
- Kalen Etzler, F (Redshirt)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Tanner Holden, SF (20.1 PPG at Wright State),
- Sean McNeil, SG (12.2 PPG at West Virginia),
- Isaac Likekele, SG (7.1 PPG at Oklahoma State)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Roddy Gayle, SG (4-star, No. 43),
- Bruce Thornton, PG (4-star, No. 44),
- Felix Okpara, C (4-star, No. 59),
- Brice Sensabaugh, SF (4-star, No. 62),
- Bowen Hardman, SG (3-star, No. 307)
RETURNING MINUTES: 23 percent (per barttorvik.com)
6. Wisconsin
While they lost their top two scorers, the Badgers have key pieces returning and a system that almost never lets them down. A highly favorable league schedule should help easy the transition. Five of their ten league road games come against our so-called bottom five, and there are no trips to Purdue or Michigan State.
– Home: Michigan State, Purdue, Rutgers
– Away: Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State
– Home/Away: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State
WHO’S GONE:
- Johnny Davis (19.7 PPG),
- Brad Davison (14.1 PPG),
- Lorne Bowman II (3.0 PPG),
- Chris Vogt (2.9 PPG),
- Ben Carlson (1.6 PPG),
- Matthew Mors (redshirt)
WHO’S BACK:
- Tyler Wahl, PF (11.4 PPG),
- Steven Crowl, C (8.8 PPG),
- Chucky Hepburn, PG (7.9 PPG),
- Jahcobi Neath, G (1.6 PPG),
- Jordan Davis, G (1.3 PPG),
- Carter Gilmore, SF (0.9 PPG),
- Chris Hodges, PF (redshirt)
- Markus Ilver, F (overseas)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Max Klesmit, G (14.9 PPG at Wofford),
- Kamari McGee, G (11.6 PPG at Green Bay)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Connor Essegian, SG (Three-star, No. 226)
RETURNING MINUTES: 52.4 percent (per barttorvik.com)
7. Michigan State
Tom Izzo has just enough returning and new talent to go with his proven ability to get the most out of a team. But a brutal league schedule and no big man will make this very difficult when they must see Jackson-Davis, Edey, Dickinson and Omoruyi twice.
– Home: Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern
– Away: Illinois, Penn State, Wisconsin
– Home/Away: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers
WHO’S GONE:
- Gabe Brown (11.6 PPG),
- Marcus Bingham Jr. (9.3 PPG),
- Max Christie (9.3 PPG),
- Julius Marble II (6.4 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Malik Hall, SF, (8.9 PPG),
- Tyson Walker, PG, (8.2 PPG),
- Joey Hauser, PF, (7.3 PPG),
- A.J. Hoggard, PG, (7.0 PPG),
- Jaden Akins, SG, (3.4 PPG),
- Mady Sissoko, C, (1.1 PPG),
- Pierre Brooks, SG, (0.9 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Jaxon Kohler, PF, (No. 54),
- Tre Holloman, PG, (No. 74),
- Carson Cooper, C, (NR)
RETURNING MINUTES: 54.1 percent (per barttorvik.com)
8. Iowa
Fran McCaffery is quietly doing one of the best jobs in the league of late. He needs Kris Murray to take a Keegan-like jump, and there are serious depth questions, but almost everyone in the league has that issue.
– Home: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan
– Away: Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue
– Home/Away: Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Keegan Murray (23.5 PPG),
- Jordan Bohannon (11.0 PPG),
- Joe Toussaint (4.3 PPG),
- Austin Ash (2.9 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Patrick McCaffery, F (10.5 PPG),
- Kris Murray – F, (9.7 PPG),
- Tony Perkins – PG, (7.4 PPG),
- Filip Rebraca – C, (5.8 PPG),
- Payton Sandfort – G, (5.0 PPG),
- Ahron Ulis – PG, (3.1 PPG),
- Connor McCaffery – G, (2.5 PPG),
- Josh Ogundele – PF, (2.5 PPG),
- Riley Mulvey – C, (.9 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Dasonte Bowen – G, (No. 136),
- Josh Dix – G, (No. 152)
RETURNING MINUTES: 54.2 percent (per barttorvik.com)
9. Rutgers
Head coach Steve Pikiell has done a great job turning around this program, but he has another major challenge on his hands as he tries to replace his top scorers.
– Home: Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska
– Away: Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin
– Home/Away: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State
WHO’S GONE:
- Ron Harper Jr., (15.8 PPG),
- Geo Baker (12.6 PPG),
- Jaden Jones (3.6 PPG),
- Ralph Gonzales-Agee (1.9 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Clifford Omoruyi, C (11.9 PPG),
- Paul Mulcahy, PG (9.0 PPG),
- Caleb McConnell, SF (7.1 PPG),
- Aundre Hyatt, SF (4.3 PPG),
- Dean Reiber, PF (2.9 PPG),
- Mawot Mag, PF (2.9 PPG),
- Oskar Palmquist, PF (1.5 PPG)
- Jalen Miller, G (0.6 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Cam Spencer, SG (18.9 PPG at Loyola Maryland)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Derek Simpson, PG (3-star, No. 243),
- Antwone Woolfolk, PF (3-star, No. 288),
- Antonio Chol, PF (not ranked, 2023 reclass)
RETURNING MINUTES: 63.5 percent (per barttorvik.com)
10. Penn State
The Nittany Lions have some weapons on the perimeter, but Harrar’s departure leaves a major void in the paint for second year coach Micah Shrewsberry.
– Home: Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State
– Away: Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State
– Home/Away: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Sam Sessoms (11.6 PPG),
- John Harrar (10.6 PPG),
- Greg Lee (6.1 PPG),
- Jaheam Cornwall (2.4 PPG),
- Jalanni White (2.3 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Jalen Pickett, SG (13.3 PPG),
- Seth Lundy, SF (11.9 PPG),
- Myles Dread, SG (6.2 PPG),
- Dallion Johnson, SG (3.7 PPG),
- Caleb Dorsey, PF (0.9 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Camren Wynter, PG (15.8 PPG at Drexel),
- Andrew Funk, SG (17.6 PPG at Bucknell),
- Michael Henn, PF (8.8 PPG at Denver)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Kebba Njie, PF (4-star, No. 111),
- Jameel Brown, SG (3-star, No. 135),
- Kanye Clary, PG (3-star, No. 180),
- Evan Mahaffey, SF (3-star, No. 183),
- Demetrius Lilley, C (3-star, No. 259)
RETURNING MINUTES: 55.2 percent (per barttorvik.com)
11. Maryland
Kevin Willard is clearly building something with his success on the recruiting front, but that talent is not there yet. This appears on paper to be a team with no featured scorers, a lack of Big Ten size, and no depth.
– Home: Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern
– Away: Iowa, Michigan State, Rutgers
– Home/Away: Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Ohio State, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Fatts Russell (15.1 PPG),
- Eric Ayala (14.7 PPG),
- Qudus Wahab (7.7 PPG),
- Xavier Green (2.3 PPG),
- Marcus Dockery (1.8 PPG),
- Simon Wright (0.5) PPG,
- James Graham III
WHO’S BACK:
- Donta Scott – F, (12.6 PPG),
- Hakim Hart – F, (9.9 PPG),
- Julian Reese – F, (5.7 PPG),
- Ian Martinez – G, (2.8 PPG),
- Ike Cornish – G
- Pavlo Dziuba – F
- Arnaud Revaz – F
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Jahmir Young – PG, (19.6 PPG at Charlotte),
- Donald Carey – G, (13.5 PPG at Georgetown),
- Patrick Emilien – F (12.5 PPG at St. Francis Brooklyn),
- Jahari Long – G, (0.8 PPG at Seton Hall)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Caelum Swanton-Rodger – PF, (NR),
- Noah Batchelor – G (No. 204)
RETURNING MINUTES: 46.9 percent (per barttorvik.com)
12. Northwestern
Chris Collins has a solid, veteran returning backcourt, but a lack of proven size will be a problem in Evanston. And they get only four games against their fellow bottom five teams.
– Home: Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue
– Away: Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska
– Home/Away: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Pete Nance (14.6 PPG),
- Ryan Young (9.0 PPG),
- Ryan Greer (3.9 PPG),
- Elyjah Williams (3.3 PPG),
- Casey Simmons (2.5 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Boo Buie, PG (14.1 PPG),
- Chase Audige, SG (9.8 PPG),
- Ty Berry, PG (7.4 PPG),
- Robbie Beran, SF (6.4 PPG),
- Julian Roper II, SG (4.0 PPG),
- Matthew Nicholson, C (1.8 PPG),
- Brooks Barnhizer, SF (1.7 PPG)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Tydus Verhoeven, PF (6.6 PPG at UTEP)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Luke Hunger, PF (three-star, No. 197),
- Nick Martinelli, SF (three-star, NR)
RETURNING MINUTES: 59.6 percent (per barttorvik.com)
13. Minnesota
Garcia and Battle form a very intriguing duo, but a lack of proven guards and offseason injuries means another rough year in Minneapolis for second year coach Ben Johnson.
– Home: Indiana, Iowa, Penn State
– Away: Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State
– Home/Away: Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin
WHO’S GONE:
- Payton Willis (15.9 PPG),
- E.J. Stephens (10.2 PPG),
- Luke Loewe (8.1 PPG),
- Eric Curry (7.7 PPG),
- Sean Sutherlin (7.2 PPG),
- Charlie Daniels (1.5 PPG),
- Abdoulaye Thiam (0.8 PPG),
- Danny Ogele (0.2 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Jamison Battle, SF/PF (17.5 PPG),
- Treyton Thompson, C (1.9 PPG),
- Will Ramberg, G (0.4 PPG),
(Note: Forwards Isaiah Ihnen and Parker Fox will miss the 2022-23 season with knee injuries)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Taurus Samuels, SG (9.4 PPG at Dartmouth),
- Dawson Garcia, PF (9.0 PPG at North Carolina),
- Ta’lon Cooper, PG (9.1 PPG at Morehead State)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Pharrel Payne, PF (No. 168),
- Jaden Henley, SF (No. 188)
- Joshua Ola-Joseph, PF (No. 219),
- Braeden Carrington, SG (No. 223)
RETURNING MINUTES: 20.9 percent (per barttorvik.com)
14. Nebraska
Fred Hoiberg seems to be in a revolving door transfer portal hell with no way out.
– Home: Northwestern, Ohio State, Wisconsin
– Away: Indiana, Michigan, Rutgers
– Home/Away: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue
WHO’S GONE:
- Bryce McGowens (16.8 PPG),
- Alonzo Verge Jr., (14.5 PPG),
- Trey McGowens, G (6.8 PPG)
- Kobe Webster (6.2 PPG),
- Lat Mayen (5.9 PPG),
- Eduardo Andre (3.1 PPG),
- Trevor Lakes (1.5 PPG),
- Keon Edwards (0.5 PPG)
WHO’S BACK:
- Derrick Walker, F (9.5 PPG),
- C.J. Wilcher, G (8.1 PPG),
- Keisei Tominaga, G (5.7 PPG),
- Wilhelm Breidenbach, F (3.7 PPG),
- Oleg Kojenets, C (redshirt in 2021-22)
WHO’S NEW:
Transfer Portal
- Emmanuel Bandoumel, G (10.6 PPG at SMU),
- Juwan Gary, F (6.5 PPG at Alabama),
- Sam Griesel, G (14.3 PPG at North Dakota State)
- Blaise Keita, F (12.8 PPG at Coffeyville C.C.)
Freshmen (Rankings from 247Sports Composite)
- Ramel Lloyd, SF (No. 100),
- Jamarques Lawrence, SG (No. 173),
- Denim Dawson, SF (No. 274)
RETURNING MINUTES: 38.3 percent (per barttorvik.com)
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