15. Michigan State: The Spartans did get Nick Ward back and still have Cassius Winston and Josh Langford. But the loss of go-to scorer and late-game shot-maker Miles Bridges – let alone the shot-alterer in Jaren Jackson Jr. – cannot be understated. The Spartans will have loads of talent and could still win the Big Ten.
16. Nebraska: This shouldn’t come as a shock that I’m bullish on Nebraska. The Huskers got James Palmer Jr. and Isaac Copeland back, with Glynn Watson at the point, giving the Huskers experience, scoring and the ability to defend at key positions. Nebraska will be playing with a bit of an edge that should bode well for a potential Big Ten title season.
17. Michigan: I have no issues grouping these Big Ten teams all together in the middle of the poll. They all have the potential to win the Big Ten. Mo Wagner is gone and so too are sharpshooter Duncan Robinson and steady guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. But the Wolverines got Charles Matthews back and the experience of Zavier Simpson, Jordan Poole, Isaiah Livers and Jon Teske gives the Wolverines one of the more ready starting fives at the beginning of the season. Last season’s team needed a few months to get the learning curve straightened out. That shouldn’t be a problem next season.
