Big Ten men's basketball preview: Returning starters, top reserves, promising newcomers and season outlooks

Returning starters: Ayo Dosunmu, 6-5, Soph., G (13.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg); Trent Frazier, 6-2, Jr., G (13.7 ppg, 2.6 apg); Giorgi Bezhanishvili, 6-9, Soph., F (12.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Da’Monte Williams, 6-3, Jr., G (3.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Top reserves: Andres Feliz, 6-2, Sr., G (8.3 ppg); Kipper Nichols, 6-6, Sr., F (5.7 ppg); Tevian Jones, 6-7, Soph., G (3.5 ppg); Alan Griffin, 6-5, Soph., G (2.8 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Jacob Grandison, 6-6, Jr., G/F (transfer from Holy Cross); Austin Hutcherson, 6-6, Jr., G (transfer from Wesleyan); Kofi Cockburn, 7-0, Fr., C; Jermaine Hamlin, 6-10, Fr., C; Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, 6-8, Fr., F

Key losses: Aaron Jordan, Adonis De La Rosa

Underwood says: “I think we have a different swagger. … I think there's a different feel about us just from the experience standpoint. I don't think there's that giddiness of the unexpected. I think we know now. We have the ability to have guys that can lead the young guys, that can lead the guys that maybe didn't play as much last year. I think all those things are positive. And I think that there's a confidence that comes with that.’’

Outlook: The Illini may be ready for the largest leap of any team in the league after finishing near the bottom of the standings last season. The trio of Dosunmu, Frazier and Bezhanishvili formed a lethal combination last season and all of them reportedly have taken steps forward in their development. Dosunmu has gained 20 pounds. The Illini also have added some seasoning in a couple of journeyman transfers, and the 7-foot, 280-pound freshman Cockburn provides a physical presence unlike anything this program had last season.

Returning starters: Al Durham, 6-4, Jr., G (8.3 ppg); Justin Smith, 6-7, Jr., F (8.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Rob Phinisee, 6-1, Soph., G (6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.9 apg)

Top reserves: Devonte Green, 6-3, Sr., G (9.4 ppg, 3.0 apg); De’Ron Davis, 6-10, Sr., F (5.4 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6-9, Fr., F; Joey Brunk, 6-11, Jr., F (transfer from Butler); Jerome Hunter, 6-7, Fr., F

Key losses: Romeo Langford, Juwan Morgan, Evan Fitzner, Zach McRoberts

Miller says: “I think the strength of our team and some of the experience level of our team and talents, it really starts on paper with the size and the ability to hopefully play an inside game. We have a lot of different guys that I think can play together. … For us to be able to maximize our talent, for us to be able to maximize our production, we have to get a lot of different type of contributions.’’

Outlook: The Hoosiers lost their two big guns in Langford and Morgan, but they still have plenty of firepower. Jackson-Davis, the son of former NBA player Dale Davis, is the No. 35 recruit in the country and a leading candidate for Big Ten freshman of the year honors. Indiana also will have much more of a physical presence around the basket than in the past with the addition of Butler transfer Brunk and a healthy De’Ron Davis.

Returning starters: Luka Garza, 6-11, Jr., C (13.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Joe Wieskamp, 6-6, Soph., G (11.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg); Jordan Bohannon, 6-1, Sr., G (11.6 ppg, 3.4 apg)

Top reserves: Ryan Kriener, 6-10, Sr., F (5.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Connor McCaffery, 6-5, Soph., G (4.4 ppg, 3.0 apg); Cordell Pemsl, 6-9, Jr., F (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg in 2017-18); Jack Nunge, 6-11, Soph., F (5.7 ppg in 2017-18)

Promising newcomers: CJ Fredrick, 6-3, Fr., G; Bakari Evelyn, 6-2, Sr., G (transfer from Valparaiso); Patrick McCaffery, 6-9, Fr., F; Joe Toussaint, 6-0, Fr., G

Key losses: Tyler Cook, Isaiah Moss, Nicholas Baer

McCaffery says: “It's a much different team than I think we had thought it might be. I kind of thought we'd lose Cook, knew we were going to lose Baer, expected to have Jordan. Felt like we had enough depth with Isaiah's departure. But you have essentially three new players and three players sitting out, so six new bodies. Three of them have been here, they know the offense, they know each other, so it's not that bad.’’

Outlook: The Hawkeyes should be somewhere in the middle of the Big Ten pack but where they are positioned in that pack could depend largely on whether or not Bohannon can play an entire season. The senior’s 3-point shooting ability helps open all sorts of possibilities for a team that shouldn’t have any trouble scoring. Wieskamp and Garza will be the primary weapons in the offense, but opponents may be surprised at the way Nunge and Fredrick developed during redshirt years and much freshmen McCaffery and Toussaint are able to contribute.

Returning starters: Anthony Cowan Jr., 6-0, Sr., G (15.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.4 apg); Jalen Smith 6-10, Soph., F (11.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg); Eric Ayala, 6-5, Soph., G (8.6 ppg); Darryl Morsell, 6-5, Jr., G (8.5 ppg)

Top reserves: Aaron Wiggins, 6-6, Soph., G (8.3 ppg); Serrel Smith Jr., 6-4, Soph., G (3.4 ppg); Ricky Lindo Jr., 6-8, Soph., F (1.6 ppg); Joshua Tomaic, 6-10, Jr., F (0.4 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Makhi Mitchell, 6-10, Fr., F; Makhel Mitchell, 6-10, Fr., F; Chol Marial, 7-2, Fr., C; Donta Scott, 6-7, Fr., F; Hakim Hart, 6-6, Fr., G

Key losses: Bruno Fernando

Turgeon says: “We're excited. Our guys only know one way, and that's to work hard. Our culture is terrific right now. Our guys are in the gym early, in the gym late, in the gym with me during the day. They're embracing (the high expectations). We're all embracing it. We want more, and we want to be great. ... We know we have a good team, and if we didn't think we were good and we were picked second, we'd be worried. But we think we have a good team.’’

Outlook: If any team has a chance to challenge Michigan State for supremacy in the Big Ten, this is it. Cowan is a superb floor general, Jalen Smith is a monstrous talent and the Terrapins seem to have great shooters all over the floor. Fernando was a dominant force in the middle, but Turgeon brought in three high quality freshman big men to replace him. This could end up being the deepest team in the league as well as one of the most physically talented.

Returning starters: Zavier Simpson, 6-0, Sr., G (8.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 6.6 apg); Jon Teske, 7-1, Sr., C (9.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Top reserves: Isaiah Livers, 6-7, Jr., F (7.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Eli Brooks, 6-1, Jr., G (2.5 ppg); Austin Davis, 6-10, Sr., F (1.0 ppg); Colin Castleton, 6-11, Soph., F (1.1 ppg); Brandon Johns Jr., 6-8, Soph., F (0.8 ppg); Davis DeJulius, 6-0, Soph., G (0.6 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Cole Bajema, 6-7, Fr., G; Franz Wagner, 6-8, Fr., G; Jaron Faulds, 6-10, Jr., F (transfer from Columbia)

Key losses: Ignas Brazdeikis, Charles Matthews, Jordan Poole, coach John Beilein

Howard says: “Being an assistant coach with the Miami Heat organization, (I had) a chance to see a guy like a Zavier Simpson who I've watched for many years, how he's developed as a player. Now having an opportunity to coach him, I see why he's been so special because he's a great person, an excellent leader and a hard worker. ... A guy like Jon Teske, another person who has improved a lot as a player. ... Isaiah Livers, who's developing day by day, high-character guys that are on our team. It's a dream for a coach to have those guys in the trenches with you.’’

Outlook: The Wolverines have lost a lot of talent the past two seasons, and it would be unreasonable to expect someone who never has coached at any level to duplicate the job John Beilein did on the sidelines. So it wouldn’t be a shock to see Michigan drop down to the middle of the Big Ten pack. But with the toughest point guard around and a gifted 7-footer, don’t look for the Wolverines to fall too far.

Last season: 32-7, 16-4 Big Ten

Returning starters: Cassius Winston, 6-1, Sr., G (18.8 ppg, 7.5 apg); Aaron Henry, 6-6, Soph., F (6.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Top reserves: Joshua Langford, 6-5, Sr., G (15.0 ppg); Xavier Tillman, 6-8, Jr., F (10.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg); Kyle Ahrens, 6-6, Sr., G/F (4.7 ppg); Gabe Brown, 6-7, Soph., F (2.3 ppg); Foster Loyer, 6-0, Soph., G (1.6 ppg); Thomas Kithier, 6-8, Soph., F (1.6 ppg); Marcus Bingham Jr., 6-11, Soph., F (1.0 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Joey Hauser, 6-9, Soph., F (transfer from Marquette); Rocket Watts, 6-2, Fr., G; Malik Hall, 6-7, Fr., F; Julius Marble, 6-8, Fr., F

Key losses: Nick Ward, Kenny Goins, Matt McQuaid

Izzo says: “I've got a good team that I like with still a lot of question marks. Josh Langford — health? What we do at the 4? And probably the other one is we did lose 30 points and 15 rebounds and trying to figure out how we get those. And yet with Winston, Henry and Xavier Tillman, we have three guys that played awfully well at the end of the year, and hopefully they've grown some now.’’

Outlook: Michigan State is ranked No. 1 in the country in the preseason Associated Press poll, largely because of the return of Winston, who was a first team All-American a season ago and widely acknowledged as the best point guard in the nation. However, the Spartans took a pair of hits in recent weeks. Joshua Langford, sidelined much of last season by injuries, was ruled out for the early part of this season and Marquette transfer Joey Hauser, one of the best transfers in the country, was denied the chance to play right away by the NCAA. There’s still plenty of talent, but there is less margin for error with those two developments.

Returning starters: Daniel Oturu, 6-10, Soph., C (10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg); Gabe Kalscheur, 6-4, Soph., G (10.0 ppg)

Top reserves: Eric Curry, 6-9, Jr., F (4.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg); Michael Hurt, 6-7, Sr., F (1.7 ppg); Jarvis Omersa, 6-6, Soph., F (0.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Promising newcomers: Marcus Carr, 6-2, Soph., G (transfer from Pittsburgh); Alihan Demir, 6-9, Sr., F (transfer from Drexel); Payton Willis, 6-4, Jr., G (transfer from Vanderbilt); Sam Freeman, 6-10, Fr., C; Isaiah Ihnen, 6-9, Fr, F.; Tre' Williams, 6-5, Fr., G; Bryan Greenlee, 6-0, Fr., G

Key losses: Amir Coffey, Jordan Murphy, Dupree McBrayer, Isaiah Washington, Matz Stockman

Pitino says: “Marcus (Carr) is a natural leader, just confident on and off the court, tough, competes, versatile, can play a multitude of positions, fearless. He's only a sophomore, but he doesn't act like it. He's got natural leadership abilities. Payton Willis may not be as loud as him at times, but his work ethic does the talking. ... With those transfers — Alihan, Payton and Marcus — they're really, really good at doing the right things to show those other guys that's how you need to act at this level.’’

Outlook: The Golden Gophers lost three very good veteran players and two of their top subs, so they will rely heavily on transfers Marcus Carr (Pittsburgh), Alihan Demir (Drexel) and Payton Willis (Vanderbilt) along with the two returners who started for them as freshmen last season. Carr, who started for Pittsburgh two seasons ago, will need to step up in a league loaded with talented point guards. Even if he does, this team might struggle to stay out of the Big Ten’s second division.

Returning starters: None

Top reserves: Thorir Thorbjarnarson, 6-6, Jr., G (2.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg)

Promising newcomers: Haanif Cheatham, 6-5, Sr., G (transfer from Florida Gulf Coast); Cam Mack, 6-2, Soph., G (transfer from Stephen F. Austin); Shamiel Stevenson, 6-6, Jr., G (transfer from Nevada); Derrick Walker, 6-8, Jr., F (transfer from Tennessee); Matej Kavas, 6-8, Sr., G (transfer from Seattle); Dachon Burke Jr., 6-4, Jr., G; Jervay Green, 6-3, Jr., G; Akol Arop, 6-6, Fr., F; Kevin Cross, 6-8, Fr., F; Samari Curtis, 6-4, Fr., G; Yvan Ouedraogo, 6-9, Fr., F

Key losses: James Palmer Jr., Isaac Copeland Jr., Glynn Watson Jr., Isaiah Roby, Thomas Allen, Tanner Borchardt, Nana Akenten, Amir Harris, coach Tim Miles

Hoiberg says: “We're going to be ... undersized at pretty much every position, so we're going to have to try to play fast, get out, play with great pace and try to win games that way. But I do like this group. I hope we go out and play with a chip on our shoulder every time we step on the floor.’’

Outlook: It’s hard to know what to expect from this team because it’s comprised almost entirely of new faces. Thorbjarnarson is the only player on the roster who ever has taken the court wearing a Nebraska uniform. The roster includes seven transfers and seven freshmen. There does appear to be an abundance of quickness and athleticism, but the Cornhuskers are going to need a really big chip on their shoulder to avoid being in the bottom four of the league in Hoiberg’s debut season.

Returning starters: A.J. Turner, 6-7, Sr., F (8.8 ppg, 2.4 apg); Miller Kopp, 6-7, Soph., F (4.9 ppg)

Top reserves: Anthony Gaines, 6-4, Jr., G (6.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg); Pete Nance, 6-10, Soph., F (2.9 ppg); Ryan Greer, 6-2, Soph., G (1.5 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Chase Audige, 6-4, Soph., G (transfer from William & Mary); Robbie Beran, 6-9, Fr., F; Jared Jones, 6-10, Fr., F; Boo Buie, 6-2, Fr., G; Ryan Young, 6-10, Fr., C; Dylan Sandhu, 6-4, Fr., G; Roy Dixon III, 5-11, Fr., G

Key losses: Vic Law, Dererk Pardon, Ryan Taylor, Aaron Falzon, Barret Benson

Collins says: “There's a lot of new guys, a lot of youthful excitement, exuberance. I feel good about our young talent. We just have to grow. We need experience. And as you guys know, the Big Ten can be a tough training ground for young players, and that's why we've got to stay the course. We've got to continue to get better.’’

Outlook: Northwestern has failed to build on its first NCAA tournament berth in 2017. It finished last in the Big Ten last season and that was with two rock solid veterans in Law and Pardon. Collins is a very capable young coach and has a couple of decent recruits coming in, but the Wildcats may be overmatched from a talent standpoint quite often in a very deep league.

Returning starters: Kaleb Wesson, 6-9, Jr., F (14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg); Andre Wesson, 6-6, Sr., F (8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg); Luther Muhammad, 6-3, Soph., G (7.6 ppg)

Top reserves: Duane Washington Jr., 6-3, Soph., G (7.0 ppg); Kyle Young, 6-8, Jr., F (6.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg); Justin Ahrens, 6-5, Soph., F (3.2 ppg); Musa Jallow, 6-5, Jr., G (2.9 ppg)

Promising newcomers: C.J. Walker, 6-1, Jr., G (transfer from Florida State); Justice Sueing, 6-6, Jr., F (transfer from California); D.J. Carton, 6-2, Fr., G; E.J. Liddell, 6-6, Fr., F; Ibrahima Diallo, 6-10, Fr., C; Alonzo Gaffney, 6-9, Fr., F

Key losses: C.J. Jackson, Keyshawn Woods

Holtmann says: “Kaleb obviously took a significant jump from his freshman to sophomore year, and he deserves a lot of credit for that, as did his brother from sophomore to junior season. I think the next step is more consistency. ... His biggest issue, even as good a year as he had last year, was he has to play smarter in terms of his fouls. We've got to help him with that as a coaching staff. He's got to take the next step there.’’

Outlook: Kaleb Wesson is the star, but he’s hardly the only good player on the Buckeyes roster. They have the best incoming recruits in the Big Ten, led by D.J. Carton, the league’s preseason freshman of the year, along with several established veteran players. The pool of talent may not quite add up to a third-place finish — which is where the Buckeyes generally have been picked — but Holtmann has shown in his first two seasons in the league that he is capable of producing teams that exceed the sum of the parts.

Returning starters: Lamar Stevens, 6-8, Sr., F (19.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg); Mike Watkins, 6-9, Sr., F (7.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg); Myles Dread, 6-4, Soph., G (8.3 ppg); Jamari Wheeler, 6-1, Jr., G (3.6 ppg, 2.8 apg)

Top reserves: John Harrar, 6-9, Jr., F (3.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg); Myreon Jones, 6-3, Soph., G (4.0 ppg); Trent Buttrick, 6-8, Jr., F (1.7 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Curtis Jones Jr., 6-4, Sr., G (transfer from Oklahoma State); Izaiah Brockington, 6-4, Soph., G (transfer from St. Bonaventure); Seth Lundy, 6-6, Fr., F; Patrick Kelly, 6-7, Fr., F

Key losses: Josh Reaves, Rasir Bolton

Chambers says: “When the Big Ten went to a 20-game league season, you need depth because if you're going to your 10th and 11th guy, there can't be any drop-off, and I believe we have that this year. I'll say we have more answers than questions, and for me that's a luxury, an absolute luxury. Our schedule is difficult, just like last year, and that's the way we want it.’’

Outlook: Big Ten coaches weren’t exactly celebrating when Stevens decided to pull out of the NBA draft and return to Penn State for one more season. The versatile forward is a handful for any defense. Watkins also is explosive when his head is screwed on straight, and the Nittany Lions have added some depth on the wings with a pair of transfers. Reaves, who might have been the best defender in the Big Ten, is a big loss, but this is a team that will be competitive and could find its way into the middle of the standings.

Returning starters: Nojel Eastern, 6-7, Jr., G (7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg); Matt Haarms, 7-3, Jr., C (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Top reserves: Trevion Williams, 6-9, Soph., F (5.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Evan Boudreaux, 6-8, Sr., F (5.2 ppg); Aaron Wheeler, 6-9, Soph., F (4.7 ppg); Sasha Stefanovic, 6-4, Soph., G (2.5 ppg); Eric Hunter Jr., 6-4, Soph., G (2.2 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Jahaad Proctor, 6-3, Sr., G (transfer from High Point); Mason Gillis, 6-7, Fr., F; Brandon Newman, 6-5, Fr., G; Emmanuel Dowuona, 6-10, Fr., C; Isaiah Thompson, 6-1, Fr., G; Matt Frost, 6-5, Fr., F

Key losses: Carsen Edwards, Ryan Cline, Grady Eifert

Painter says: “I think we've got some good interior players in Trevion Williams and Matt Haarms. Nojel Eastern has a lot of experience, a guy who's really helped us win games. And then we have a lot of guys who can make shots, so we’re just trying to get that balance and that growth from our guys, especially the guys that came off the bench. We had four freshmen come off the bench for us last year that will now be sophomores, so it's going to be a big jump for those guys.’’

Outlook: The Boilermakers have a lot of perimeter offense to replace after Edwards and Cline finished 1-2 in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals, but some of that will be alleviated by transfer Jahaad Proctor, who averaged 19.1 points per game last season at High Point. Purdue is as strong as anyone upfront with the duo of Haarms and Trevion Williams. And Eastern, although not a prolific scorer, is a diverse and unsung talent who will be the leader of this team.

Returning starters: Geo Baker, 6-4, Jr., G (12.2 ppg, 4.1 apg); Ron Harper Jr., 6-6, Soph., G/F (7.8 ppg); Montez Mathis, 6-4, Soph., G (8.5 ppg)

Top reserves: Myles Johnson, 6-10, Soph., C (4.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Caleb McConnell, 6-7, Soph., G (5.5 ppg); Peter Kiss, 6-5, Jr., G (6.0 ppg); Shaq Carter, 6-9, Sr., F (4.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg)

Promising newcomers: Akwasi Yeboah, 6-6, Sr., F (transfer from Stony Brook); Jacob Young, 6-2, Jr., G (transfer from Texas); Paul Mulcahy, 6-6, Fr., G

Key losses: Eugene Omoruyi, Shaq Doorson, Issa Thiam

Pikiell says: “I really believe in Year 4 we now have more solutions to the problems that the league poses. Every team poses a different problem. Some run it, some walk it. ... In the past, we didn't have a lot of solutions to a lot of the different problems that other teams posed to it. We can get up and down now. We can slow it down. We have good shooters, and we're very young.’’

Outlook: Omoruyi, the team’s leading scorer, unexpectedly transferred to Oregon, but the Scarlet Knights still have the makings of a team that could notch its highest Big Ten finish ever. Baker is an underrated floor leader and the four freshmen who saw extensive playing time a season ago should be even better this season. The Knights also will be bolstered by the addition of two transfers plus Paul Mulcahy, who averaged a triple-double as a senior in high school last season.

Returning starters: D'Mitrik Trice, 6-0, Jr., G (11.6 ppg, 2.6 apg); Brad Davison, 6-4, Jr., G (10.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Nate Reuvers, 6-11, Jr., F (7.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

Top reserves: Brevin Pritzl, 6-3, Sr., G (4.8 ppg); Aleem Ford, 6-8, Jr., F (3.1 ppg); Kobe King, 6-4, Soph., G (4.2 ppg); Trevor Anderson, 6-2, Jr., G (1.6 ppg)

Promising newcomers: Micah Potter, 6-10, Jr., F (transfer from Ohio State); Owen Hamilton, 7-0, Soph., C (transfer from Northern Illinois); Joe Hedstrom, 7-0, Fr., C; Carter Higginbottom, 6-0, Fr., G; Tyler Wahl, 6-7, Fr., F

Key losses: Ethan Happ, Khalil Iverson

Gard says: “I like my group. We've got a lot of exciting pieces that will have different roles as this group builds and grows through the year, and I know they're excited about their opportunities and what's going to happen and how this year unfolds.’’

Outlook: The loss of Happ, a four-year starter and all-time great in the program, is huge. But the Badgers have plenty of experience back and plenty of size coming in, forming the nucleus of a team that won’t challenge for the Big Ten title but has an excellent shot at being in the upper division. They still will torment opponents with their defense and may be a little more perimeter-oriented offensively.