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Big Ten basketball: Preseason power rankings heading into 2021-2022 season

By Mike Phillips

Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard speaks to the media during Big Ten Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines head coach Juwan Howard speaks to the media during Big Ten Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten basketball power rankings
Oct 8, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Tyler Wahl and guards Brad Davison and Jonathan Davis speak to the media during Big Ten media day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Penn State Nittany Lions

If continuity means anything in the Big Ten then Penn State will be a team to watch. The Nittany Lions have a rotation loaded with fourth and fifth year players, making things much easier for first-year coach Micah Shrewsberry, who is taking over as head coach after years of serving as an assistant under Painter at Purdue.

One intriguing player to watch here is point guard Jalen Pickett, a transfer from Siena who was the MAAC’s Player of the Year in 2020. If Pickett can adjust quickly to the rigors of Big Ten play the Nittany Lions could be challenging for a bubble spot in the NCAA Tournament.

10. Wisconsin Badgers

It feels like the end of an era in Wisconsin, which saw four of its top five scorers from a year ago graduate. The lone returning starter is Brad Davison, who exercised his extra year of eligiblity and will be asked to become the leader of a younger Badgers team.

There are intriguing young players here, including wing Jonathan Davis, but this team will need time to gel as a unit. Reports that the Badgers lost a secret scrimmage to Loyola-Chicago are discouraging and could indicate some growing pains for Wisconsin, which would be problematic in the loaded Big Ten.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes

No Big Ten team lost more talent year-to-year than Iowa, which saw reigning National Player of the Year Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp and C.J. Fredrick all depart. The good news for Fran McCaffery’s team is that Jordan Bohannon is still around to serve as the focal point of the Hawkeyes’ attack.

Bohannon should assume more scoring responsibility this season while youngsters like sophomore Keegan Murray will need to step up to handle more of the offensive load. The presence of Bohannon should keep Iowa in the bubble hunt all season long.