Early Big Ten basketball power rankings for 2025-26 season after transfer portal cycle

Yahoo

28-05-2025

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
The dust has settled on the 2024-25 college basketball season. The year concluded familiarly for fans of the Big Ten: The Final Four of Auburn, Florida, Duke and Houston did not include any of the conference's 18 members. The Big Ten's hopes of its first national championship since 2000 ended in the Elite Eight, when Michigan State fell to Auburn, 70-64.
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Much has happened since the season's conclusion. A busy transfer cycle brought significant movement at the top of the sport. That includes Michigan's addition of former FAU forward Yaxel Lendeborg (the No. 1 player in the portal), Iowa adding Drake point guard Bennett Stirtz (No. 3) and UCLA landing New Mexico point guard Donovan Dent (No. 5).
Those high-profile transfer additions were not alone. Most teams in the Big Ten underwent significant roster transformations during the transfer window, a reality common in today's age of college basketball. That movement has significantly affected the upcoming season's outlook.
With the transfer movement mostly completed, here are our updated Big Ten basketball power rankings for the 2025-26 season.
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
Mar 1, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Mike Rhoades looks on from the bench during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 16-15 (6-14 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Ace Baldwin Jr. (graduation), Puff Johnson (portal)
Notable Additions: Josh Reed (Cincinnati), Kayden Mingo (high school), Mason Blackwood (high school)
Penn State is 32-32 in two years under Mike Rhoades, including a 15-25 mark in Big Ten play. Last year's 6-14 conference record was a significant step back from the team's 9-11 finish the prior season. It is set to welcome in promising high school prospects Mingo and Blackwood. Each is a four-star recruit. However, the Nittany Lions will face a tough task in replacing departing star and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ace Baldwin Jr.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Feb 1, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell reacts during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 15-17 (8-12 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Ace Bailey (draft), Dylan Harper (draft), Lathan Sommerville (portal), Jeremiah Williams (portal)
Notable Additions: Baye Fall (Kansas State), Darren Buchanan (George Washington), Lino Mark (high school), Chris Nwuli (high school), Harun Zrno (international)
Rutgers finished the 2024-25 season 15-17 despite having two likely top-five NBA draft picks, Bailey and Harper. Its next two leading scorers, Sommerville and Williams, have transferred out. While the program has a host of incoming four-star recruits, both via high school and the transfer portal, it's hard to expect its fortunes to suddenly turn.
16. Washington Huskies
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 25: Danny Sprinkle head coach of the Washington Huskies looks on during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 25, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by)
2024-25 Record: 13-18 (4-16 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Great Osobor (graduation), Tyler Harris (portal), Wilhelm Breidenbach (portal), Mekhi Mason (portal)
Notable Additions: Wesley Yates III (USC), Bryson Tucker (Indiana), Jacob Ognacevic (Lipscomb), Lathan Sommerville (Rutgers), Quimari Peterson (East Tennessee State)
Washington had a busy offseason. Yates, Ognacevic and Peterson project as top contributors, along with returning sophomore Zoom Diallo. Danny Sprinkle has a terrific track record. He built Montana State into an NCAA Tournament contender and took Utah State to the round of 32 in his only season there. That history points to an improvement in Year 2 at Washington. The program should be more accustomed to the challenges of the Big Ten schedule, plus it made notable upgrades across the roster.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire
15. Nebraska Cornhuskers
MADISON, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 26: Fred Hoiberg head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 26, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by)
2024-25 Record: 21-14 (7-13 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Brice Williams (graduation), Juwan Gary (graduation), Andrew Morgan (graduation), Rollie Worster (graduation)
Notable Additions: Pryce Sandford (Iowa), Kendall Blue (St. Thomas), Jamarques Lawrence (Rhode Island)
Nebraska's end-of-year collapse informs the team's measured outlook entering 2025-26. Also, the program lost its two leaders from that team: Williams and Gary. Coach Fred Hoiberg has done well at a program that isn't known for winning. However, 2025-26 could see a step back after a 21-14 finish last season.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
14. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams head coach Niko Medved reacts against the Maryland Terrapins in the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 15-17 (7-13 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Dawson Garcia (graduation), Lu'Cye Patterson (graduation), Mike Mitchell Jr. (graduation), Femi Odukale (portal), Parker Fox (graduation)
Notable Additions: Bobby Durkin (Davidson), Langston Reynolds (Northern Colorado), B.J. Omot (Cal), Jalen Crooker-Johnson (Colorado State), Chansey Willis Jr. (Western Michigan)
Minnesota is one of several teams that underwent a full program overhaul this offseason, beginning with the hire of former Colorado State coach Niko Medved. Winning at Minnesota is no easy feat, so this ranking is admittedly speculative. But Medved had terrific success at his previous stop. He also did well in the portal, headlined by Durkin's commitment.
13. Northwestern Wildcats
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 29: Head coach Chris Collins of the Northwestern Wildcats reacts against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on January 29, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by)
2024-25 Record: 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Brooks Barnhizer (graduation), Ty Berry (graduation), Matthew Nicholson (graduation), Jalen Leach (graduation)
Notable Additions: Jayden Reed (USF), Max Green (Holy Cross)
Northwestern lost standout seniors Barnhizer, Berry, Nicholson and Leach after the 2024-25 season. It returns star forward Nick Martinelli, assuming he withdraws from the NBA draft. While the departure of that senior class is sure to have an impact, Chris Collins has the program operating at its peak at the moment. The Wildcats should slot in somewhere from No. 10 to No. 14 next season.
12. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana University men's basketball Head Coach Darian DeVries speaks at the introductory press conference at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
2024-25 Record: 19-13 (10-10 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Malik Reneau (portal), Oumar Ballo (draft), Mackenzie Mgbako (portal), Myles Rice (portal), Luke Goode (graduation), Trey Galloway (graduation), Bryson Tucker (portal), Anthony Leal (graduation)
Notable Additions: Tucker DeVries (West Virginia), Reed Bailey (Davidson), Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston), Conor Enright (DePaul), Tayton Conerway (Troy), Nick Dorn (Elon)
A simple everyone would have sufficed for Indiana's notable departures after the 2024-25 season. Like Iowa, the program is amid a top-down transformation under new coach Darian DeVries. Additions Tucker DeVries, Bailey, Wilkerson and Enright project to lead the lineup. The Hoosiers went after a bunch of small-school transfers, a strategy different than what new Maryland coach Buzz Williams executed.
11. Iowa Hawkeyes
Ben McCollum, Iowa's new head men's basketball coach, speaks during his introductory press conference Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
2024-25 Record: 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Everyone
Notable Additions: Bennett Stirtz (Drake), Brendan Hausen (Kansas State), Tavion Banks (Drake), Alvaro Folgueiras (Robert Morris), Cam Manyawu (Drake), Isaia Howard (Drake)
The question isn't which rotation players Iowa lost this offseason, it's which players the program didn't see exit. The answer: Cooper Koch (13.6 minutes, 4.6 points, 2.1 rebounds per game in 2024-25). That's it. Otherwise, the Hawkeyes enter 2025-26 with an entirely clean slate under new coach Ben McCollum. He brings several of his top players from Drake, headlined by Stirtz. That should provide some instant stability. Typically, such program and roster transformations take more than one season. An NCAA Tournament appearance is the likely ceiling for the team in 2025-26.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
10. Maryland Terrapins
Mar 22, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Buzz Williams during the first half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 27-9 (14-6 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Deriq Queen (draft), Julian Reese (portal), Ja'Kobi Gillespie (portal), Rodney Rice (portal), Selton Miguel (graduation), DeShawn Harris-Smith (portal),
Notable Additions: Myles Rice (Indiana), Pharrel Payne (Texas A&M), Darius Adams (high school), Solomon Washington (Texas A&M), Isaiah Watts (Washington State), Elijah Saunders (Virginia), David Coit (Kansas)
Maryland's program was flipped on its head after a Sweet 16 loss to Florida. Coach Kevin Willard left for Villanova, leading to the hire of Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams. The team then had all of its starters, nicknamed the "Crab Five," exit, whether to the draft, the transfer portal or to graduation. Williams worked quickly to rebuild the roster, bringing Payne and Washington from A&M and adding four-star transfers Rice, Watts, Saunders and Coit. It's hard to know what to expect from the Terps in 2025-26. On paper, they look like a fringe NCAA Tournament team.
9. Oregon Ducks
MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 22: Dana Altman head coach of the Oregon Ducks during the second half of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on February 22, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by)
2024-25 Record: 25-10 (12-8 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Brandon Angel (graduation), T.J. Bamba (graduation), Keeshawn Barthelemy (graduation), Jadrian Tracey (portal)
Notable Additions: T.K. Simpkins (Elon), Miles Goodman (Penn State), Devon Pryor (Texas)
Some metrics are low on Oregon entering next season. While the advanced analytics may say otherwise, the program deserves the benefit of the doubt. Dana Altman has been to nine NCAA Tournaments, including each of the last two seasons. The Ducks also had little trouble competing last season in their first year in the Big Ten. Much of the team's chances in 2025-26 may depend on center Nate Bittle withdrawing from the draft. If Bittle returns, he and Jackson Shelstad would form a strong leading duo.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
8. USC Trojans
Jan 14, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Eric Musselman reacts in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 17-18 (7-13 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Desmond Claude (portal), Wesley Yates (portal), Chibuzo Agbo (graduation), Saint Thomas (portal), Rashaun Agee (portal), Josh Cohen (graduation)
Notable Additions: Rodney Rice (Maryland), Chad Baker-Mazara (Auburn), Alijah Arenas (high school), Ezra Ausar (Utah), Jacob Cofie (Virginia), Jerry Easter (high school), Gabe Dynes (Yale), Amarion Dickerson (Robert Morris)
USC put together a strong transfer cycle, adding major contributors Baker-Mazara, Rice and Cofie. The team disappointed in Year 1 under Eric Musselman, finishing 17-18 and missing the NCAA Tournament. Wth a year of experience in the Big Ten and a revamped roster, look out for the Trojans in 2025-26. They could be a strong tournament team if the transfer additions are as advertised.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
Jan 30, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler looks on from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rec Hall. Ohio State defeated Penn State 83-64. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 17-15 (9-11 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Micah Parrish (graduation), Meechie Johnson (portal), Evan Mahaffey (portal), Aaron Bradshaw (portal), Sean Stewart (portal)
Notable Additions: Gabe Cupps (Indiana), Brandon Noel (Wright State), Christoph Tilly (Santa Clara), A'mare Bynum (high school)
Ohio State was much better than its record showed in 2024-25. It returns Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal to lead the lineup. Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly is likely to be the starting center. His play against the Big Ten's terrific big men will mean a lot to the team's success. Strong returning production and better late-game luck could make 2025-26 a breakthrough for the Buckeyes.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
6. Illinois Fighting Illini
Jan 23, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood before the tipoff of a game with the Maryland Terrapins at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 22-13 (12-8 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Kasparas Jakucionis (draft), Will Riley (draft), Morez Johnson (portal), Carey Booth (portal)
Notable Additions: Andrej Stojakovic (Cal), Zvonimir Ivisic (Arkansas), Brandon Lee (high school), Keaton Wagler (high school), David Mirkovic (international), Mihailo Petrovic (international)
Illinois lost its leading scorer (Jakucionis) and its third-leading scorer (Riley) to the NBA draft. Standout freshman forward Morez Johnson transferred to Michigan. In response, Brad Underwood landed Stojakovic, a standout at Cal in 2024-25, and Zvonimir Ivisic, the twin brother of Illini starting center Tomislav Ivisic. Few coaches have had more Big Ten success than Underwood over the last half-decade. Once the new additions mesh in the lineup, expect the Illini to again contend for a conference title.
5. Wisconsin Badgers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 16: Head coach Greg Gard of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 16, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by)
2024-25 Record: 27-10 (13-7 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: John Tonje (graduation), Max Klesmit (graduation), Steven Crowl (graduation), Kamari McGee (graduation), Carter Gilmore (graduation)
Notable Additions: Andrew Rohde (Virginia), Austin Rapp (Portland), Nick Boyd (San Diego State), Braeden Carrington (Tulsa), Zach Kinziger (high school)
Wisconsin has a starting five good enough to contend for the Big Ten title. Returning starters John Blackwell and Nolan Winter are joined by transfers Rohde, Rapp and Boyd. That is, if Blackwell withdraws from the NBA draft. His decision is a major headline to watch as the mid-June deadline nears. The team will need a second-year breakout from reserve forwards Riccardo Greppi or Will Garlock, or strong production from international signee Aleksas Bieliauskas.
For more, here is our latest projection of Wisconsin's roster and rotation.
4. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo exits the court after 70-64 loss to Auburn at the Elite Eight round of NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
2024-25 Record: 30-7 (17-3 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Jaden Akins (graduation), Frankie Fidler (graduation), Szymon Zapala (graduation), Tre Holloman (portal), Jase Richardson (draft), Xavier Booker (portal)
Notable Additions: Kaleb Glenn (FAU), Jordan Scott (high school), Cam Ward (high school), Trey Fort (Samford)
On one hand, Michigan State loses starters Richardson, Holloman, Akins and Zapala plus a key rotation piece (Fidler). On the other hand, it's Tom Izzo and Michigan State. The Spartans should be written in as a top-five team in the Big Ten every season. Incoming four-star freshmen Scott and Ward should find big roles. Glenn is the most important transfer addition after a strong 2024-25 season at FAU.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
3. UCLA Bruins
Mar 14, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 23-11 (13-7 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Sebastian Mack (portal), Kobe Johnson (graduation), Aday Mara (transfer), Dylan Andrews (portal), William Kyle (portal), Lazar Stefanovic (graduation)
Notable Additions: Donovan Dent (New Mexico), Xavier Booker (Michigan State), Jamar Brown (Kansas City)
UCLA will be a popular pick to win the Big Ten in 2025-26. The team returns Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey and Tyler Bilodeau to lead the starting lineup, plus welcomes in top transfers Booker and Dent. The latter is a five-star transfer, ranked as the No. 5 overall player in the portal. If Mick Cronin's team can get past the travel schedule he likes to bring up, it could make major postseason noise.
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
2. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan head coach Dusty May talks to players before a play against Wisconsin during the second half of Big Ten Tournament championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
2024-25 Record: 27-10 (14-6 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Vlad Goldin (graduation), Danny Wolf (draft), Tre Donaldson (portal), Will Tschetter (graduation), Nimari Burnett (graduation), Sam Walters (portal), Rubin Jones (graduation)
Notable Additions: Aday Mara (UCLA), Morez Johnson (Illinois), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB)
Dusty May surprised many in his first year with the Wolverines in 2024-25. He led the team to a top-two finish in the Big Ten regular-season race, a conference tournament title and a Sweet 16 appearance. Both Wolf and Goldin, the team's leaders on both ends of the court, are gone. May did a terrific job in reloading the roster, landing top big men Mara and Johnson, experienced point guard Cadeau and the portal's No. 1 player (Lendeborg). It appears 2024-25 was a sign of things to come for May and Michigan.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
1. Purdue Boilermakers
Feb 15, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter talks with guard Fletcher Loyer (2) during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
2024-25 Record: 24-12 (13-7 Big Ten)
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Notable Departures: Caleb Furst (graduation), Cam Heide (portal), Myles Colvin (portal)
Notable Additions: Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State)
Purdue is a simple pick as the Big Ten's top team entering 2025-26. It returns All-American guard Braden Smith, first-team All-Big Ten forward Trey Kaufman-Renn and honorable mention All-Big Ten guard Fletcher Loyer. That trio, sophomore C.J. Cox and transfer center Oscar Cluff (17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds in 2024-25) form the Big Ten's best starting unit. 2024-25 was a down year for the Boilermakers, yet they still finished in the top five in the Big Ten and reached the Sweet 16.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Big Ten basketball power rankings 2025-26 season after transfer portal