Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (2025)

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (1)

Ben Kenney

October 4, 2024 8:00 am CT

Believe it or not, college basketball season is right around the corner. The season will tip off a little more than one month from today. For fans of schools with struggling football programs, such as Purdue, UCLA, Maryland and Wisconsin, the start of basketball will quickly become much-anticipated.

Just like on the football field, this upcoming season will be our first look at the expanded conference landscape on the basketball court. The Big Ten added a strong new group of programs, headlined by UCLA and Oregon.

Related:Big Ten basketball teams ranked by returning production entering 2024-25 season

The conference will be as loaded as ever. Purdue enters after a national title loss to UConn, Indiana may have an all-in season under Mike Woodson, Illinois is established as one of the best programs in the country, Michigan is reloading in year one under Dusty May and Michigan State is still always good under Tom Izzo. Then there are newcomers UCLA and Oregon which were picked to finish third and sixth, respectively, in the preseason media poll.

The Big Ten will be as much of a gauntlet as it has ever been in 2024-25. Media days this week gave a first glimpse at what that new landscape will look like, at least off the court. Then we must wait until November for the action to truly begin.

As media days are conducted, it’s time for a fresh look at the upcoming season with our 2024-25 Big Ten basketball preseason power rankings:

18

Penn State

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (2)

Jan 10, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Mike Rhoades argues a call with an official during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Bryce Jordan Center. Northwestern defeated Penn State 76-72. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 17

2023-24 Record: 16-17 (9-11 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Kachi Nzeh (Xavier transfer), Miles Goodman (four-star C in class of 2024)

Penn State lost a combined 44.9 minutes per game and 26.5 points per game with the offseason departures of Kanye Clary (transfer portal) and Qudus Wahab (graduation). Clary was the team’s leading scorer with 16.7 points per game.

The Nittany Lions do enter year two under Mike Rhoades, so a step forward wouldn’t be extremely surprising. But the team will face an uphill battle after significant roster movement.

Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions onNittany Lions Wire

17

Washington

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (3)

Mar 21, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah State Aggies head coach Danny Sprinkle talks to the media during the practice day at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 15

2023-24 Record: 17-15 (9-11 Pac-12)

Offseason Additions:Great Osobor (Utah State transfer), DJ Davis (Butler transfer), Mekhi Mason (Rice transfer), Zoom Diallo (four-star PG in class of 2024)

Washington has a new coach in Danny Sprinkle and is looking to find a positive direction. But the team lost its top three leading scorers from 2023-24 in Keion Brooks (21.1 points per game), Sahvir Wheeler (14.3 points), Moses Wood (11.9 points). Sprinkle made plenty of roster improvements throughout the offseason. But it’s hard to see it all clicking immediately, especially in a tough Big Ten.

Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions onHuskies Wire

16

Minnesota

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (4)

Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson reacts during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 18

2023-24 Record: 19-15 (9-11 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Femi Odukale (New Mexico State transfer), Tyler Cochran (Toledo transfer), Isaac Asuma (four-star PG in class of 2024)

Minnesota was surprisingly strong in 2023-24, improving from a 9-22 (2-17 Big Ten) 2022-23 season. The program lost key contributors Cam Christie (30.1 minutes per game, 11.3 points), Elijah Hawkins (33.3 minutes, 9.5 points) and Pharrel Payne (23.3 minutes, 10.0 points) this offseason — Christie to the NBA, and Hawkins and Payne to the transfer portal. It will rely more than ever on star forward Dawson Garcia (32.0 minutes, 17.6 points), plus the collection of transfers. It’s hard seeing the Gophers building on last year’s resurgence.

15

Northwestern

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (5)

Feb 28, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins look down court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 16

2023-24 Record: 22-12 (12-8 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Jalen Leach (Fairfield transfer), Keenan Fitzmorris (Stony Brook transfer)

Chris Collins has built a solid foundation at Northwestern. There could be issues in 2024-25, however, after the departure of program great Boo Buie (36.9 minutes, 19.0 points in 2023-24). Northwestern will be one of the several programs hurt by the conference’s new additions. While basketball is different than football in the role of recruiting, the Wildcats don’t have the talent base to consistently beat the Big Ten’s best teams.

14

Iowa

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (6)

Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery reacts during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 11

2023-24 Record: 19-15 (10-10 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Seydou Traore (Manhattan transfer), Cooper Koch (four-star PF in class of 2024)

Iowa deserves the benefit of the doubt — the program has become one of the Big Ten’s more consistent in the last 15 years under Fran McCaffery. But 2024-25 could be a steep regression. The Hawkeyes lost three key players this offseason in Ben Krikke (28.6 minutes, 13.8 points), Tony Perkins (30.9 minutes, 14.0 points) and Patrick McCaffery (23.0 minutes, 8.9 points). This year will test McCaffery’s coaching ability more than any other in the last decade.

Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions onHawkeyes Wire

13

Nebraska

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (7)

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Fred Hoiberg of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks on in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 22, 2022 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

Media Poll Ranking: T-12

2023-24 Record: 23-11 (12-8 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Connor Essegian (Wisconsin transfer), Rollie Worster (Utah transfer), Berke Buyuktuncel (UCLA transfer), Braxton Meah (Washington transfer)

Nebraska was fantastic in 2023-24, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. Fred Hoiberg has done a fantastic job building a solid team and program. Its momentum may slow in 2024-25 after the departure of leading scorer Keisei Tominaga. A top-half finish would be a huge success.

Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions onCornhuskers Wire

12

USC

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (8)

Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; USC Trojans forward Kobe Johnson (0) reacts to hitting a shot in front of Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) during the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Media Poll Ranking: No. 14

2023-24 Record: 15-18 (8-12 Pac-12)

Offseason Additions:Desmond Claude (Xavier transfer), Josh Cohen (UMass transfer), Saint Thomas (Northern Colorado transfer), Kevin Patton (San Diego transfer), Wesley Yates (Washington transfer)

USC regressed significantly in 2023-24 under former coach Andy Enfield. He left for the SMU job, which led USC to hire former Arkansas coach Eric Musselman. The Trojans should start to improve immediately under Musselman, though they will likely start as a bottom-half team in the conference.

Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions onTrojans Wire

11

Maryland

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (9)

Jan 27, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Kevin Willard reacts during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 10

2023-24 Record: 16-17 (7-13 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont transfer), Selton Miguel (South Florida transfer), Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech transfer), Derik Queen (five-star C in class of 2024)

2023-24 was a bad year for Maryland under Kevin Willard. The team regressed and missed the tournament after a strong 2022-23. Willard has reloaded the roster for 2024-25, headlined by five-star C Derik Queen. The biggest issue will be replacing the production of departures Jahmir Young (35.4 minutes, 20.4 points) and Donta Scott (30.2 minutes, 11.2 points).

10

Ohio State

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (10)

Mar 26, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler motions to his team during the first half of the NIT quarterfinals against the Georgia Bulldogs at Value City Arena. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Media Poll Ranking: No. 8

2023-24 Record: 22-14 (9-11 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Sean Stewart (Duke transfer), Aaron Bradshaw (Kentucky transfer), Micah Parrish (San Diego State transfer), Meechie Johnson (South Carolina transfer)

Jake Diebler went 8-3 as Ohio State’s interim coach in 2023-24, which was enough to secure him the full-time position. He has made some portal splashes, including landing C Aaron Bradshaw (No. 4 overall player in the class of 2023) from Kentucky. The Buckeyes lost some top contributors from the 2023-24 team, but it’s reasonable to expect a step forward in the first full year under Diebler.

Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire

9

Michigan

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (11)

U-M’s new men’s basketball head coach Dusty May speaks during introductory press conference at Junge Family Champions Center in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK

Media Poll Ranking: No. 9

2023-24 Record: 8-24 (3-17 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Vlad Goldin (FAU transfer), Tre Donaldson (Auburn transfer), Roddy Gayle (Ohio State transfer), Sam Walters (Alabama transfer)

Dusty May takes over a mess of a situation, at least in terms of what Michigan is historically. The Wolverines have missed two straight NCAA Tournaments, including a disaster 8-24 (3-17 Big Ten) 2023-24 season. May is one of the hotter names in the coaching world and should return the Wolverines to a solid baseline. The question is how quickly he can build the program back up. A busy offseason of transfer additions will certainly help that case.

Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions onWolverines Wire

8

Wisconsin

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (12)

Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: T-12

2023-24 Record: 22-14 (11-9 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas transfer), Xavier Amos (Northern Iowa transfer), John Tonje (Missouri transfer), Daniel Freitag (four-star PG in class of 2024)

I think Wisconsin is the most underrated team in the Big Ten entering the season. Maybe it’s my proximity to the program. But the surface-level view sees stars Chucky Hepburn and A.J. Storr transfer elsewhere, and Tyler Wahl graduate. I think that underrates the offseason additions of Amos, Hunter and Tonje, plus top-ranked 2024 PG Daniel Freitag.

A starting lineup of Freitag, John Blackwell, Max Klesmit, Amos and Steven Crowl is better than people realize. It’s good enough to make Wisconsin an NCAA Tournament team, and possibly better.

7

UCLA

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (13)

Feb 18, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin (right) talks with guard Brandon Williams (5) against the Utah Utes in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 3

2023-24 Record: 16-17 (10-10 Pac-12)

Offseason Additions:Kobe Johnson (USC transfer), Skyy Clark (Louisville transfer), Eric Dailey (Oklahoma State transfer), Trent Perry (four-star PG in class of 2024)

UCLA was on a prolific run under Mick Cronin until last season. He’s proven to be one of the better coaches in the sport and will likely return the team to that level. But I have a hard time seeing UCLA competing to win the Big Ten in its first season in the conference. It added a lot more than it lost this offseason, but a gigantic year-to-year improvement is needed to reach the heights some expect. I see 2024-25 as more of a progress year for the program, with a breakthrough possible in 2025-26.

Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions onUCLA Wire

6

Rutgers

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (14)

Coach Steve Pikiell gives instructions during one of the time outs. Rutgers Intrasquad Scrimmage at Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, NJ on September 28. 2024. Peter Ackerman-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Media Poll Ranking: No. 7

2023-24 Record: 15-17 (7-13 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Ace Bailey (five-star, No. 2 overall recruit in class of 2024), Dylan Harper (five-star, No. 3 overall recruit in class of 2024), Jordan Derkack (Merrimack transfer), PJ Hayes (San Diego transfer), Zach Martini (Princeton transfer)

Here comes the breakthrough for Rutgers. It had been a fringe NCAA Tournament team for years until a down 2023-24 season. But in comes two top-five recruits in the class of 2024, adding immense talent to what is a strong culture. I think we start to see the Scarlet Knights ascend toward the top of the Big Ten.

5

Oregon

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (15)

Mar 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman (middle) talks to his team during practice before their 2024 NCAA Tournament First Round game at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 6

2023-24 Record: 24-12 (12-8 Pac-12)

Offseason Additions:TJ Bamba (Villanova transfer), Ra’Heim Moss (Toledo transfer), Brandon Angel (Stanford transfer), Supreme Cook (Georgetown transfer), Jamari Phillips (four-star SG in class of 2024

Oregon, like many others in the conference, will be heavily reliant on transfers in 2024-25. The Ducks lose their top two scorers from 2023-24 in N’Faly Dante (31.5 minutes, 17.0 points) and Jermaine Couisnard (32.9 minutes, 16.6 points). But in comes a strong transfer group that should return the Ducks to a mid-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Oregon has not won fewer than 20 games in any season under Dana Altman (since 2010-11). The new Big Ten is tough, but the Ducks are well-equipped to compete.

Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire

4

Michigan State

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (16)

Jan 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to the referees during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 5

2023-24 Record: 20-15 (10-10 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Jase Richardson (four-star SG in class of 2024), Kur Teng (four-star SG in class of 2024), Frankie Fidler (Omaha transfer)

I should just write ‘Tom Izzo’ for why Michigan State is again a top-five team in the Big Ten entering the season. The Spartans lost some key members of the 2023-24 team, including Tyson Walker (33.0 minutes, 18.4 points) and A.J. Hoggard (28.7 minutes, 10.7 points). But the big-time addition of Frankie Fidler (36.0 minutes, 20.1 points) will help to ease those losses. Izzo is still on the sideline, so the Spartans will be quite good again.

Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions onSpartans Wire

3

Illinois

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (17)

Mar 23, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood gestures after the game against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 4

2023-24 Record: 29-9 (14-6 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Kylan Boswell (Arizona transfer), Tre White (Louisville transfer), Carey Booth (Notre Dame transfer), Morez Johnson (four-star C in class of 2024)

Illinois lost many of its top players from a stellar 2023-24 team, led by Coleman Hawkins (31.6 minutes, 12.1 points), Terrence Shannon Jr. (33.9 minutes, 23.0 points) and Marcus Domask (34.5 minutes, 15.9 points). That should lead to a slight regression, which is understandable after several stellar seasons. Still, Brad Underwood has built Illinois into one of the best programs in the country. It will likely factor into the Big Ten race.

2

Indiana

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (18)

Indiana Head Coach Mike Woodson smiles during Senior Day festivities after the second half of the Indiana versus Michigan State men’s basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Rich Janzaruk/Herald Times-USA TODAY NETWORK

Media Poll Ranking: No. 2

2023-24 Record: 19-14 (10-10 Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Oumar Ballo (Arizona transfer), Myles Rice (Washington State transfer), Kanaan Carlyle (Stanford transfer), Bryson Tucker (five-star SF in class of 2024)

There is nothing like some speculative optimism about Indiana. The program appeared to be making big strides with back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021-22 and 2022-23. But 2023-24 was a step backward with a 19-14 finish. The team is loaded up to compete this season with a star in Oumar Ballo (25.9 minutes, 12.9 points, 10.1 rebounds) and a solid supporting cast. Some will pick Indiana to possibly win the conference, others will again pick it to underwhelm. I’m closer to the first group.

1

Purdue

Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference (19)

Apr 6, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) talks with Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter during the second half in the semifinals of the men’s Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Media Poll Ranking: No. 1

2023-24 Record: 34-5 (17- Big Ten)

Offseason Additions:Daniel Jacobsen (7’3″ center), Gicarri Harris (four-star SG in class of 2024)

Purdue is the class of the Big Ten at the moment. It is arguably the second-best program in the country right now, behind only UConn. The team may not be as dominant as it was last season with superstar center Zach Edey. But Matt Painter knows what he’s doing. The Boilermakers will probably go on to win the conference yet again.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWireon X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

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