BIG 10 RELEASE
Big Ten Men’s Basketball starts again soon, and the conference has never looked deeper. From Michigan defending its national title under a new coach to the passing of the torch at Purdue, Big Ten Basketball Media Days Presented by TIAA gave every program a chance to lay out its vision for the season ahead.
Whether it’s at the 2027 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis or a regular Tuesday night in East Lansing, every game between these 18 teams will be a dogfight. Here’s what the Big Ten’s coaches and top players had to say as they look ahead to the 2026-27 season.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS FOR FIGHTING ILLINI
Fresh off its first Final Four appearance in 20 years, Illinois is running it back. The Fighting Illini return five key contributors from the team that went 28-9 overall and 15-5 in conference play in David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, Jake Davis, and Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivisic.
Underwood, the coach who has nearly 200 wins with the program, says this team has to write its own story.
“This group hasn’t done anything. Last year’s team did it,” Underwood said. “Keaton Wagler is not coming back through the door… Let’s make our own identity, and let’s make it a better one. The only way we know to do that is work. I think this group is really hungry.”
Illinois must replace Wagler, its leading scorer who was drafted fifth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. To address the vacancy, Brad Underwood will lean on returning double-digit scorers Mirkovic, Stojakovic, and Tomislav Ivisic, along with Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, who was eighth in the Big East with 15.8 points per game.
“Obviously you lost a star player,” Mirkovic said. “You had to make some changes. I think the coaching staff made a good change. Our play style is more modern, just a lot of positions played with a lot of more players trying to facilitate. [We’re] just more versatile.”
If the Fighting Illini sustain a lethal offense that averaged 83.2 points in their contests (second in B1G) a season ago, they have what it takes to make another deep March run.
“We’ll play a lot faster,” Stojakovic said. “That’s the biggest difference in this year’s team. We’re obviously going to miss some key guys that had big roles for our team — not necessarily trying to replace them, but [we need to] fill those roles in order for us to have success.”
In his second season in Champaign, Stojakovic is stepping into a bigger leadership role, with Underwood calling him, “a completely different young man.”
“He’s been through it,” Underwood said. “He’s had a Final Four. He’s felt winning. He knows what that feels like… He wants more… and his leadership’s vital to our success.”
Stojakovic said the group has to be connected throughout the season.
“It’s going to be hard this year,” Stojakovic said. “We have to stay connected through the good and the bad. I think that’s the biggest thing. Having potential is good, but how we embrace the new guys and allow them to feel the culture is going be a big part.”
As the Illini prepare for another run, they know the attention surrounding them.
“[We’re] handling the expectation, not running from it,” Underwood said. “We’re accepting the fact that people think we’re pretty good. We worked for that, we deserve that. [We] handle the ups and the downs… It’s an everyday guy mentality. Just get better, and let’s control what we can. And if we do that, I like our chances.”
DEVRIES OVERHAULS THE HOOSIERS
After an 18-14 finish in year one of the Darian DeVries era, Indiana enters the 2026–27 campaign with a retooled lineup. Following 12 roster departures — including top scorers Lamar Wilkerson and Tucker DeVries — the Hoosiers hit the portal aggressively.
The main arrival is Notre Dame transfer Markus Burton, a former Indiana Mr. Basketball who averaged 19.1 points per game in South Bend. Burton gives DeVries an elite playmaker to orchestrate the offense alongside incoming guard transfers Darren Harris (Duke) and Jaeden Mustaf (Georgia Tech). Down low, Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell and 7-foot-2 SMU big man Samet Yigitoglu supply the interior presence. If Burton retains his All-ACC form and additions contribute quickly, the Hoosiers have the firepower to make serious noise.
“What I’m excited about with this roster is there’s just a lot more versatility, a lot more depth,” DeVries said. “Throughout the course of an entire season, it gives you way more opportunities to survive an off night by a guy or two, and that’s ultimately what’s going to be better for us.”
“It makes my job a lot easier,” added Burton, who’s prepped to take point in Bloomington. “We have a lot of guys that can go get 30, one of them [Sherrell] right here, so it’s going to be hard for teams to adapt and be able to game plan for us.”
Beyond the expanded arsenal and size, DeVries and his crew are carrying a consistent approach to the 2026-27 season: physicality and toughness.
“That’s what we have to be. That’s what we try to recruit to,” DeVries said. “[We want] to be good at the things we prioritize… You’ve got to be physical and tough to take care of the basketball. Defensive and offensive rebounding, those areas are going to line up.”
It’s clear that DeVries’ message is echoing around the locker room. “The biggest emphasis for coach is just the toughness and togetherness,” Burton said. “It’s a lot of defense… It’s honestly just competing and having fun.”
“We have a great team that we assembled,” Sherrell said. “Just competing against these guys every day, we make each other better.”
Given the grin that spread across his face at the podium, it seems like DeVries is seeing that already. “We’ve had some fun practices.”
HERE COME THE HAWKEYES
Ben McCollum’s inaugural season at Iowa was historic, guiding the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight since 1987. Year two brings a shift in responsibility after losing key contributors — most notably top scorer Bennett Stirtz to the NBA Draft, along with Alvaro Folgueiras and Tavion Banks. The replacement for Stirtz’s clutch hand in late games has yet to be determined, according to McCollum.
Yet, continuity remains Iowa’s core strength, with 10 returning players back in the fold. The group is anchored by forward Cooper Koch (7.8 points per game), sophomore sniper Tate Sage (38.9 3PT%), and point guard Kael Combs (163 assists). To replicate last March’s magic, the trio must transition from supporting roles into the team’s primary leaders and offensive engines.
The year-over-year development is visible. Koch praised the progress Combs has made in the off season, saying, “His leadership and the way he’s attacked things since the year started has been really awesome.” Combs also highlighted that Isaia Howard is “a lot more confident player coming into this year,” and believes Trevin Jirak could bring “more productivity this year.”
The continuity on the roster across the board is showing its value already.
“We have much more depth, and [I] don’t have to teach as much from an effort standpoint,” McCollum said. “They know what to expect, they trust the system… You saw it work. Now we just need to do it a little bit better.”
While there’s undeniable momentum coming off that Elite Eight run, McCollum doesn’t believe that’s the key to the Hawkeyes’ confidence.
“Preparation creates belief in my mind,” he said. “Our work ethic, our ability to be ready every day, that’s what we’re trying to continue into this season… I think in terms of trying to build a program and to be able to sustain the amount of success that you want. When people come to our practices, they can feel it.”
“Winning that [Sweet 16] game just shows that you’re doing the right things,” McCollum continued. “And if you continue to do those right things, you’ll get the result you want.”
What is that result exactly? Coach put it simply: “Job’s nowhere near done… Ultimately, your goal is to win your last game.”
REVAMPED TERPS TARGET BIG TEN SURGE
Buzz Williams’ second season in College Park carries high expectations. Frontcourt standout Pharrel Payne returns to lead Maryland’s engine inside after posting 17.5 points per game, while guard Andre Mills provides continuity on the perimeter.
“[Payne] is one of the better human beings I’ve ever had the chance to coach,” Williams said. “His person, his spirit, his ability to lead, even when he wasn’t playing, has been transformative in his life.
“His loyalty to come with us to Maryland, his loyalty to stay relative to his value to our program and what he’s going to bring to us this season will always have a special place in my heart.”
There’s also real excitement surrounding incoming talent. Five-star wing Baba Oladotun — the second-highest rated recruit in program history — brings instant star power and scoring potential. To steady the backcourt, Williams brought in major portal transfers in guards DJ Wagner (Arkansas) and Bishop Boswell (Tennessee). The blend of blue-chip youth and veterans around Payne will determine Maryland’s true potential as the season unfolds.
“We’re going to be fast-paced. We’re going to be physical… We’re going to always be the hardest-playing team on the floor,” said Robert Jennings II. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to get the win and give the Maryland fans something to brag about.”
It’s not just the stars and returners that are shining in the Terps’ preseason; Jennings and Wagner both said freshman Kaden House “stood out the most from day one” with his “ability to defend 94 feet.”
“He’s really not talked about enough based off of what I’ve seen and what he brings to the team,” Jennings said. “When we tip off, it’s going to be very obvious to everybody what he brings to the table.”
Across the young talent and the seasoned upperclassmen, there’s a common theme: connectedness.
“It’s going to come down to those possessions late in the game where who can be the most connected team, who can trust their teammates to do what needs to be done,” Jennings said. “I feel like that’s what’s going to take us to the next level.”
“We have a lot of talent,” Wagner added. “But more importantly, we’re together. Every time you step in the gym, it’s a gym full of people that just like to win… There’s always somebody in there working hard.”
Williams said that his staff was “perfect” in evaluating the fit of their new additions.
“Whether you win, whether you lose, the process of what it is every single day… the character of the people matters the most,” Williams said. “[I’m] excited every day to see them… That allows the rate of growth to be even more expedited because we enjoy being around one another.”
MICHIGAN: NEW LEADER, SAME GOAL
The biggest shift for defending national champion Michigan comes on the sidelines, where Mike Boynton Jr. takes over following Dusty May’s departure for the Dallas Mavericks. He inherits a potent core anchored by Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau and breakout candidate Trey McKenney in the backcourt.
It’s hard to avoid the attention of the reigning national champions, but the new coach wants this team to have its own identity. He said, “Our job is, at some point… to get people talking less about last year’s team [and] talking more about what this year’s team is actually accomplishing.”
“You want to push your program to the highest standard,” McKenney said. “I also think it’s not fair to compare us to the team last year, because it’s totally different team, new coaches and new players… We also have those high expectations for ourselves, but it’s just a totally different team, and we’re going to have to attack the season differently.”
The Wolverines’ repeat hopes rely on the frontcourt with incoming transfers Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati) and J.P. Estrella (Tennessee). After losing 2025-26 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson Jr. — who joined May in Dallas — Thiam and Estrella need to help reestablish an offense that led the Big Ten with 87+ points per game and a defense that held opponents to a league-low 38% shooting.
“I want [Thiam and Estrella] to think that they want to do what [Johnson] and [Mara] did,” Boynton said. “[They] have to get people talking about them because of how they’re playing for Michigan now. That’s the mindset.”
Michigan’s continuity comes with Cadeau, who enters his fourth season as one of the best guards in the country, and McKenney. Both will step into bigger roles on and off the court.
“We literally have the blueprint on what it takes to win a national championship, and that’s our end goal,” Cadeau said. “We know what it looks like, and we know that if our team isn’t looking like that or not at the standard, then we can try to fix it.”
While Michigan’s play style will look different from last year, it’s up to the returning guards to carry the torch.
“We’re going to be really experienced this year in the backcourt with our guards,” McKenney said. “We’re the ones who control the game in a way, and I think that’s going to trickle down throughout the team.”
So, what values from Michigan’s national championship campaign are staying within the program after their coach departing? Everything, particularly unselfishness.
“[May] said it basically every time we huddled up. He would always talk about how we have to give ourselves up for the next guy on the team, be very unselfish,” Cadeau said. “That’s the culture that he built, and we want to continue that.”
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, IZZO: FEARS LEADS THE WAY
Michigan State will remain a Big Ten powerhouse as long as Tom Izzo is pacing the East Lansing sidelines. Entering his 32nd season as head coach at MSU, the Hall-of-Famer’s resume speaks for itself: eight Final Fours and a nation-leading 28 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Izzo’s formula for success heading into 2026-27 is the same: taking the time to build relationships.
“Over the test of time, we’ve stayed relevant,” Izzo said. “We’ve been doing the same things… putting the players first, putting relationships over transactions… We spend a lot of time on retention.”
That emphasis on stability has helped the Spartans maintain a consistent philosophy year over year.
“The [team] identity doesn’t really change because coach doesn’t change,” Jeremy Fears Jr. said. “[Izzo] is going to make you be physical. You’re going to run fast, and you’re going to rebound, run, and defend. Those are three non-negotiables that when you come to Michigan State, you’re gonna do. And if you’re not… Somebody else will.”
Of everything Izzo and company have accomplished over his decades-long tenure, he may be most remembered for his ability to develop players on and off the court.
“I think [success] takes some things that people don’t like anymore,” Izzo said. “A kid should fail. It usually helps him succeed. When he fails and coaches stick with him, that helps relationships… I’m going to stick with a kid who struggles early… when you got kids two, three, and four years, I think it sets another example.”
Prime examples of that philosophy are Fears — the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year — and senior slam dunk machine Coen Carr. One of the best playmakers in the nation and a 2025–26 AP Second-Team All-American, Fears averaged 15.2 points per game along with a league-leading 9.3 assists per game, while Carr added 12 points per game last season. With key returners Jordan Scott and Kur Teng flanking them, Michigan State will lean on its seasoned core and physicality to make noise in a crowded Big Ten title race.
Izzo said that Carr and Fears are “definitely vocal leaders,” a skill that both stars have refined over the years.
“I’ve always been a lead by example type of guy,” Carr said. “[But I’ve been] holding guys accountable, making sure I tell everybody what [the team] needs to be, not making Jeremy be the only one talking, and letting people hear my voice.”
Other voices are also emerging in Cam Ward, Jordan Scott, and Jesse McCulloch, who “probably spent more time in the gym this summer than any player” according to Izzo. “He has lived the game this year.”
The Spartans boast the balance and depth required for another March run in 2027; Izzo is counting on his leaders and the power of retention to get them there.
GOPHERS RELOAD BEHIND RETAINED FOUNDATION
Niko Medved’s inaugural season in Minneapolis presented a steep learning curve, but year two brings continuity and a revamped backcourt. Minnesota returns three proven double-digit scorers: physical forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, sharpshooting wing Bobby Durkin, and versatile junior guard Isaac Asuma.
To elevate the team, Minnesota landed North Carolina transfer point guard Kyan Evans, who spent two seasons playing under Medved at Colorado State before his stint in Chapel Hill. Evans’ familiarity with Medved’s system gives the Gophers a steady floor general to run the show alongside Asuma. Experience will be the Gophers’ strength as they look to improve in Medved’s second season.
“It makes your job easier as a coach,” Medved said. “Ultimately, you want to empower your players to be the primary leaders and drivers of what happens in your program because those guys have been through it. You start to establish those things when you’re in year one, and you kind of have to do all of that… They’re also your best teachers for the new guys.”
Those players are carrying over Medved’s tradition — and higher expectations with it.
“This year’s going to be special,” Asuma said. “We’re going to compete at a high level, win games, and… make some noise in the tournament.”
The returning core and the year of experience under Medved will have the Gophers ready when Big Ten play begins.
“It’s going to be tough regardless of the outcome,” Crocker-Johnson said. “Teams can go on 8-0 runs, 10-0, 12-0 runs, so how are you going to respond to that aspect. You’ve gotta be resilient, be together.”
What might put Minnesota over the hump this year is its new players.
“It’s important for people to remember, and even me as a coach, that oftentimes the way it starts is not the way that it finishes,” Medved said. “Sometimes there’s maybe a new guy who’s finding his way. He might have a role or not have the role that they want now, but that may look different in January.”
The Gophers could be poised to shake up the Big Ten — and that’s what everyone in Minneapolis expects.
HUSKERS LOOK TO MAKE MORE HISTORY
Nebraska shattered program precedents last season with a school-record 28 wins, its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, and a Sweet 16 appearance. Fred Hoiberg returns his primary offensive catalyst in Pryce Sandfort (18.1 points per game) alongside reigning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Braden Frager (11.8 points per game). Together, the duo will anchor a passing game and perimeter attack designed to stretch opposing defenses.
“I think [last year] is just a building block for us,” Frager said. “We don’t want to get satisfied, and we have to build off of it. [The] Sweet 16 was great, but everybody on the team wants bigger, better things than that.”
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished as a program,” Hoiberg said, emphasizing his family ties to the university. “It’s given me a big sense of pride… But at the same time, you got to get over it… There is a hunger, there is a fuel that our guys have going into this year.”
Beyond the returning core, Nebraska’s offensive floor gets a major upgrade. Four of the Huskers’ portal additions averaged double-digit scoring at their previous stops, giving Nebraska unprecedented depth. How fast these new pieces click in Hoiberg’s system will determine if the Huskers stay near the top of the conference.
“I think we established an identity last year being the hardest-playing, more-together team,” Frager said. “Last year’s squad, we had dudes that wanted to win across the board, win above everything else, which is hard to find sometimes these days in college basketball. Bringing in guys that fit our culture that want to win above everything else is a big thing for this program.”
The Huskers’ offense will still revolve around Sandfort, who was named First-Team All-Big Ten last season and is a threat whenever the ball is in his hands. The forward set the single-season program record for 3-pointers with 129 and tied the single-game record with 8 triples. This year, his goal is simple: raise the program to new heights.
“I’m continuing to work on my leadership skills,” Sandfort said. “Everybody sees it in practice, how bad I want to win and down the line, Braden as well, guys that came back from last year, how much we care about winning, what it takes to be a winner. Implementing that, being a leader for these younger guys… it’s important to be in their area and emphasize our culture.”
Hoiberg credits that culture to last year’s squad and believes the 2026-27 crew is poised to carry the torch. “Our guys couldn’t take a day off because [Rienk Mast and Sam Hoiberg] made sure. The accountability within the team was as good as any team I’ve ever coached,” he said. “But that gives a lot of these other guys a chance and an opportunity… Pryce and Braden have grown in their leadership, and that was important.”
We’ll see what type of encore the Huskers have in store this season.
HUNGRY WILDCATS TARGET BREAKOUT YEAR
Heading into 2026-27, Northwestern undergoes a roster reset following the departure of the Big Ten’s leading scorer, Nick Martinelli. But Chris Collins’ team has the new pieces it needs to bounce back.
“The guys have gotten along really well,” Collins said. “The chemistry’s good, the vibes are good, all the intangible things that I value have been really good so far with this group… [but] we haven’t played anybody.”
The offense will run through sophomore Jake West, who took over at point guard late last season and looks to elevate his scoring alongside wing Angelo Ciaravino. However, Collins’ transfer additions will dictate Northwestern’s ceiling, headlined by high-volume scorers Jack Karasinski (21.7 points per game at Bellarmine last year) and LA Pratt (11.7 points per game at Northeastern).
“Brand new team, I would say it’s super exciting,” Ciaravino said. “Super refreshing having that offseason with these guys and building… We kind of know what we’re getting every day with these guys, but to show everyone what we’ve been working so hard to put out there is going to be a pretty special thing. No one’s seen this team together yet.”
Ciaravino and West are two of the three returners from last season, along with Phoenix Gill.
“There’s an inherent chip on the shoulder that a lot of those guys carry,” Collins said. “Boo Buie, Brooks Barnhizer, Nick Martinelli, none of those guys had a Big Ten offer coming out of high school. We’ve always wanted guys that carry a little bit of a chip on their shoulder that believe they can compete against the best.”
Hoping that their playmaking translates to Big Ten action, the Wildcats could regain the level of success achieved during the program’s recent peak.
“The message has stayed the same since I committed to Northwestern,” West said. “It’s to try to take Northwestern to places it hasn’t been before and try to get Northwestern back to that standard that we are a national program team.”
Even with all the new players, Northwestern has what it’s always had under Collins — hunger.
“We have to earn our respect,” Collins said. “We know that. We’re not one of these programs that has traditional year-in, year-out, championship-level success. Very rarely have we ever not been picked in the bottom four of the league coming into the year, but that doesn’t mean that’s where you end up.”
“All these guys are super hungry. They’re super selfless people,” West said. “They made this jump so that they can show that they’re ready to compete at the Big Ten level. We end every huddle, we end every meeting with win on three. That’s the common goal. We don’t care about points, stats. We just want to win.”
While the eyes might not be on Northwestern right now, the team’s excited to show the nation what it’s capable of. As West said to end the presser, “We’re just so hungry. We can’t wait to play basketball.”
BUCKEYES READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025–26, Jake Diebler’s Ohio State enters the season loaded with optimism. The foundation is built upon Preseason All-Big Ten guard John Mobley Jr., who averaged nearly 16 points per game while shooting over 41% from deep last year, alongside returning forward Amare Bynum. Both returners are stepping up as leaders helping lift the program.
“[I’m] super comfortable [leading],” Mobley said. “It’s also the trust that I get from the guys as well, building that trust during the summer. That comes with hard work… with bringing it every day… trying to be that guy to pick up the team.”
“We’re the first ones in [the gym], and we’re the last ones to leave,” Mobley added.
Now a sophomore, Bynum is gaining confidence using his voice, too. “I think it helps the team a lot,” he said. “Hearing from different voices like [Mobley] or [Justin Pippen], just hearing different voices than coach because we’re out there playing.”
Byum’s improvement mentally has shown on the court, and his strides will be crucial to the Buckeyes’ success.
“Amare’s continued to grow and develop his game,” Diebler said. “He has worked extremely hard to expand his range, worked extremely hard on his ball handling and some of his playmaking, which we will need because his usage rate for us is going to be much higher… He’s primed to take a really big jump.”
Diebler injected talent into the roster through both high-school recruiting and the portal. Cal transfer Pippen (14.2 points per game, 4.6 assists per game last season) will form a dynamic backcourt in tandem with Mobley, while five-star freshman Anthony Thompson brings instant McDonald’s All-American rim protection and versatility as the Big Ten’s second highest-rated signee of 2026 (via 247Sports.com). If this upgraded rotation gels early, the Buckeyes could be one of the most exciting teams in the conference.
“Coach [Luke] Simons says, [you’re either] a hammer or a nail. I think we got to start being the hammer,” said Bynum.
That starts on the boards. “We need rebounding, we need defense, and we need efficiency,” Diebler said. “Those are the three things that collectively we’re looking at… We have to have a foundational system that everybody’s comfortable in, and we’re getting there… Those guys have had a great couple weeks.”
The Buckeyes are hoping that translates into a great season.
OREGON SQUAD CONNECTED, OPTIMISTIC
Oregon — who finished without postseason action for the first time since 2010 — lost top scorers Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Takai Simpkins. Tony Stubblefield, who takes over for longtime head coach Dana Altman, inherits a revamped roster that brought in nine transfers.
“They came [here] to play for Dana Altman, to play for the University of Oregon,” Stubblefield said. “What I told them is that we have to stay connected now… We developed a lot of relationships with these guys… We have a very talented group of young men and a chance to do special things. We can’t splinter at this point.”
The newcomers are headlined by 2025-26 double-digit scorers Fred Payne (15.8 points per game at Boston College), Tyrone Riley IV (12.2 points per game at San Francisco), and Andrew Meadow (12.1 points per game at Boise State). Joined by the No. 42 recruit in the 2026 class in Tajh Ariza (via ESPN), Oregon boasts plenty of athletic potential.
Stubblefield takes over the program after rejoining the Ducks before the 2024-25 season. Before that, he spent 11 years on Altman’s staff before coaching DePaul from 2021-24. The Ducks have reached eight NCAA Tournaments, including five Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights, and a Final Four with Stubblefield on staff.
“He’s always been in our corner every practice,” Payne said. “I’m happy for him that he got the job. He deserves it, the way he coaches, the way he tries to instill defense… and takes pride in energy every day.”
With the new head of the snake, the Ducks are confident in what they can do.
“It’s still a shock,” Meadow said. “Yesterday was obviously a hectic day with the news dropping, and we didn’t really have much time to process… There’s some very good optimism in our locker room about where this program can still go… We still have the same mission, same goals to set that tone, which we’re very capable of.”
PENN STATE READY TO REBOUND
Penn State’s roster is filled with new contributors with only three players returning from last year’s team. But that includes one of the Nittany Lions’ top four scorers in forward in Ivan Juric, who averaged double digits. As Mike Rhoades’ team looks to rebound from a last-place finish in the conference, the new additions will be crucial. The spotlight falls on Miami (OH) transfer Brant Byers, who averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting nearly 40% from behind the arc.
With all the talent the Nittany Lions possess, Rhoades said they still need to be tough to succeed in the conference.
“It starts before you get to the hardwood,” Rhoades said. “It’s how you go about your day in the weight room, on the track, on the hill… Build the habits of being tough, and make it a behavior.”
The players echoed Rhoades’ message.
“Toughness, that was a big question for us,” Juric said. “We brought a lot of guys from all different kinds of places, from winning programs that won in the past that know what it takes to win.”
Rhoades knows the spotlight isn’t on the Nittany Lions as much as other teams. But that’s not discouraging them.
“We have to overachieve at Penn State,” he said. “We have to have a level of toughness and grit and fight to find a way to overachieve on a Saturday night on the road in the Big Ten.”
The players share that same sentiment. Ask Byers — the Pennsylvania native — who found the Penn State edge.
“We have a lot of new guys at Penn State, even guys that haven’t been mentioned,” Byers said. “Between the belief and what we do in practice every day and the way we respond to coaching, that’s what it takes to get the winning track going.”
THE NEXT GEN IN WEST LAFAYETTE
Purdue will have a new look this season following the departures of seniors Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, a trio that helped lift the program to last season’s Big Ten Tournament title. They are the winningest players in Purdue Men’s Basketball history, leaving the Boilers with some big shoes to fill.
“Probably the biggest blow for us is the volume, the usage we had with Braden Smith,” head coach Matt Painter said. “He had the ball all the time for us, which helped people get into defined roles.”
Painter reloaded with the nation’s No. 13 recruiting class in 2026 (via ESPN), headlined by four-star guard Luke Ertel, while adding former Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce via the transfer portal. Pierce’s veteran stoicism is already making waves.
“With Caden, having that experience at Princeton and playing USA Basketball, he definitely has a lot of experience and doesn’t really let things affect him emotionally,” said junior guard C.J. Cox. “[It] just shows the type of character that he has, and I feel like it will definitely help us on the court and in the locker room.”
“He’s a really, really good defensive player,” Painter said. “He’s a two-way player, he can switch a lot, he’s athletic, and he was our best rebounder on the Canada trip.”
The Boilermakers also return five of their top nine scorers from last year’s 30-9 squad in Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris, and Jack Benter. With returners stepping into expanded roles and Pierce bringing in veteran stability (89 career games), Purdue has all the makings of a Big Ten contender — including an elevated defense.
“I think we can steal possessions through our pressure, our defense, forcing more turnovers,” said Painter. “That was a place that we didn’t get a lot in the past. We were a dominant rebounding team, really because of Zach [Edey], and then when we lost Zach, we weren’t as good. We were much better last year… but we still gotta have that balance.”
And that starts with Jacobsen. “He’s gotta affect the game on the defensive end,” Painter said. “We need him shot blocking. I think it just starts with getting in the stance and embracing the physicality of the game, and he can really take off.”
Despite all the changes, everyone in West Lafayette has high expectations for 2026-27. “We have a legacy to uphold,” said Jacobsen. “We have a responsibility to have another successful year and play well.”
VETERAN BACKCOURT SET TO STEER RUTGERS
Following Steve Pikiell’s recent cancer diagnosis, Rutgers will lean heavily on its veteran core to set the tone and carry that culture into the upcoming season. That charge begins in the backcourt with the trio of Tariq Francis, Jamichael Davis, and Darren Buchanan Jr.
Francis serves as the primary scorer after averaging 17 points per game last season, while Davis — a two-time team captain — will look to build on a season where he had a career-high 7.5 points per game and 40.2% field goal percentage. Buchanan gives Rutgers a proven exterior presence, averaging 8.1 points per game. All three of those Scarlet Knights shot over 35% from three last season. With experienced leaders, Rutgers will need to rely on chemistry and familiarity to navigate a stacked conference.
“[The chemistry] is definitely going to help a lot,” Davis said. “We definitely built chemistry, and for everybody to come back, it’s a good thing because we also can just build on it and get better. Each and every one of us, we’re all willing to learn, we’re willing to get better, and I think that’s the most important thing.”
Rutgers interim head coach Brandin Knight had only great words to say about his leaders, especially Davis, who is going into his fourth season with the program.
“First off, I think he’s one of the best leaders in the entire country,” Knight said. “The kid never has a bad day. He comes to practice every day, brings his lunch pail and his hard hat, and he never takes a day off, doesn’t take any plays off. He’s high energy, he’s coachable. He’s also so easy to talk to. He’s a model for all of the guys on our team.”
Then there’s Francis, who led the team in points per game last season, and who Knight thinks can take the next step.
“We know he can already score the basketball, but [now he needs to] just show all of the different things that he can do as a complete basketball player,” Knight said. “He’s tasked with being one of the older guys that has to lead our program and lead our team.”
With the foundation in place, the Scarlet Knights hope that the results follow.
“Our goal is to win,” Francis said. “When you win, everything else comes with it. Using all the tools that we’re given, the great coaching staff and everybody that pours into us, I feel like we’ll accomplish things and more people will come along.”
BRUIN BELIEF
With victories in the last five NCAA Tournaments, UCLA enters its third year in the Big Ten looking to take the next step. The Bruins bring back junior Trent Perry, who was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team after averaging 12.6 points per game and shooting nearly 44% from the field in 2025-26. Perry is supported by two returners inside in versatile guard/forward Eric Dailey Jr. (team-leading 5.8 rebounds per game last season) and center Xavier Booker (team-leading 43 blocks in 2025-26). Add in Auburn transfer Filip Jovic, and UCLA has plenty of scoring potential.
To make a leap, the Bruins will rely on Perry to become one of the best creators in the conference with the departure of Donovan Dent. With experienced pieces, Mick Cronin’s team is primed for another run.
“It’s important to retain your best players,” Cronin said. “Guys that are winners and good guys that play to win and care about the right things. It’s important to retain them.”
The Bruins are bought into the system and foundation they are building in Los Angeles.
“We believe in our system. We believe in coach. We believe in the program and all the guys that stayed truly believe that,” Dailey said. “We’re here for a real reason, and we’re here to put on [a show] for UCLA and be the next wave of Bruins that makes something shake.”
Everyone in the college basketball world knows Cronin is fiery and animated. The UCLA stars say that it brings out the best in them.
“You could appreciate the way he coaches because even though he’s always going to be on you, even though he’s critiquing every single step you take, at the end of the day, he cares,” Perry said. “He’s always going to tell you what you’re doing right, and he’s always going to tell you what you’re doing wrong. He’s always going to voice his opinion.”
Another player to watch out for is Texas Tech transfer Jaylen Petty, who averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Both the UCLA head coach and leaders are optimistic about the sharpshooter.
“He’s a high-level player,” Cronin said. “I would say he will be the guy that Big Ten fans, people don’t know… They’ll be shocked.”
As UCLA heads into this season, the team knows what it can do. But it’s about getting the job done and bringing a high level of success back to Westwood.
“No moral victories,” Perry said. “Now I think it’s time for UCLA to get to where we need to get to.”
STAR-STUDDED ROSTER GIVES USC HIGH ASPIRATIONS
Despite losing 13 players, Eric Musselman’s second-year USC squad boasts an enviable blend of returning star power and a handful of high-caliber additions. Musselman — who has coached for over 37 years — has a team that’s getting him excited.
“I can see the fire in Muss’ eyes,” junior Jacob Cofie said. “He’s really excited to go. We have a talented roster, so I’m excited myself to see what we have and see what we can do.”
Rodney Rice will make his long-anticipated return for USC; he was averaging 20.3 points per game last season before an injury cut the campaign short. He, alongside former top-recruit Alijah Arenas (14.1 points per game), will anchor the Trojans.
“I’m motivated,” Rice said. “I’ve been working, and it’s going to come to light.”
The Trojans’ upside hinges on a premier freshman class featuring five-star forward Christian Collins — the Big Ten’s top-rated recruit according to 247Sports — alongside top-40 twin prospects Adonis and Darius Ratliff. Musselman bolstered the rotation through the portal with four double-digit scorers in Isaac Bruns (South Dakota), Jalen Cox (Colgate), Jadis Jones (Lindenwood), and former Georgetown guard K.J. Lewis.
There’s no doubt that the Trojans have the talent, but to Musselman, it’s about being prepared.
“In the Big Ten, you got to have good preparation,” Musselman said. “It is a league of great execution. Teams don’t beat themselves in this league. That’s a challenge for every team.”
All the pieces are there, and if this fresh mix gels early, USC possesses the offensive firepower to make serious noise.
“This season means a lot to us,” Cofie said. “We all have something to prove right now. Last year, we started off how we wanted. Injuries happened, [and] we weren’t able to bring to light what we expected to happen. So, this year just means a lot more to us.”
HUSKIES HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE
Washington lost four of five starters to graduation, the NBA Draft, or the transfer portal, but the one that remains is a team centerpiece in Wesley Yates III. As a sophomore, Yates started 25 games, averaging 12.7 points per game while ranking fifth in the Big Ten with 1.5 steals per game. Now an upperclassman that’s familiar with the system, he will be counted on as a more consistent scorer.
“I think [the culture’s] a lot different,” head coach Danny Sprinkle said. “We’re a little more together right now. Obviously, we haven’t hit adversity, we haven’t had playing time, we haven’t had a tough loss.”
San Francisco transfer Ryan Beasley arrives to direct the offense at point guard, but the biggest questions linger inside. With leading scorer Hannes Steinbach now with the Charlotte Hornets, center Lathan Sommerville and forward Mady Traore are tasked with anchoring the paint. How quickly Sommerville and Traore replace Steinbach’s rebounding and physical interior presence will dictate the Huskies’ Big Ten ceiling.
“Our approach is a lot different than last year,” Beasley said. “We’re more team-oriented, and that shows on and off the court. We’re really a connected group, I’ll say that for sure. We’re going to compete at the highest level every single time we step on that floor. That’s going to give us a chance to win at all times.”
The Huskies have a lot of new pieces, and with them, a new mentality. Sommerville is a perfect example of Washington’s approach to the season.
“I just want to prove myself right,” Sommerville said. “Not so much prove others wrong… That’s what I’m focusing on. I feel like everybody on our team has that mindset, proving what UW can do.”
FRONTCOURT ANCHORS BADGERS’ RESET
Wisconsin is going to look different following the departures of star guards John Blackwell and Nick Boyd. However, Greg Gard maintains vital continuity inside with senior center Nolan Winter (13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds per game) and forward Austin Rapp, who averaged nearly 10 points per contest in his first year in Madison.
To rebuild the backcourt, Gard reloaded with transfer guard Trey Autry (George Washington) and Australian point guard Owen Foxwell. If the new guards acclimate quickly to Gard’s system and the frontcourt muscle takes a primary role, the Badgers can keep raising their high standard.
“We’re getting along really well,” Winter said. “It’s the coaches getting the right guys… and as players, it’s on us to get everyone to come together and build that chemistry because that chemistry off the court will translate on the court.”
Among those “right guys” are a slew of players from Down Under. The Badgers have five student-athletes on their roster from either New Zealand or Australia, and Winter expects them to bring an intelligent, physical presence.
“They’re hard workers,” he said. “They’re very coachable… Every single one of them is very smart on the court, both defensively and offensively.”
Entering his final season in Madison, Winter — who was named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team — has just one thing on his mind.
“I’ve come here to win,” he said. “I’m here to leave a mark on the program… to win as many games, to make a run in that tournament… for the program and the city and the fans that love this team and come out to every game and support us.”
Gard knows that Winter is an NBA-caliber talent and believes he has the tools to take his game up a notch this season.
“The development has been in his confidence and his physical maturity,” Gard said. “He’s physically got it, he can move, he can pass it, he can shoot it, he can run… The final hurdle here is mentally becoming a dominant player, which I know is in him. I’ve seen it… Now we gotta get the world to see it.”
With an aim of retaining players and being better defensively, Gard’s team isn’t going to follow the guard-first scheme we’ve seen from Wisconsin the last few years.
“I like this team. We’re different, we’re going to look different,” Gard said. “We’re as big as we’ve been in quite some time, and I think we have to play to that. But you look at the upper echelon of college basketball, the Final Four teams… they’re all big with immense size across the board. We’ve been able to add that along with some depth.”
COUNTDOWN TO TIPOFF
From Piscataway to Westwood, one thing’s clear: the Big Ten is loaded heading into 2026-27. Across Big Ten Basketball Media Days Presented by TIAA, we heard new coaches finding their footing, veteran leaders embracing bigger roles, and transfer portal reinforcements ready to make instant impacts — all chasing the same prize.
This season will be must-watch from tipoff, culminating in the 2027 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament ahead of March Madness. We can’t wait to find out who comes out on top.
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