Get ready for a thrilling college basketball season, because the Big Ten is about to set the court on fire! Every single team in the conference has been ranked in the top 100 of the preseason KenPom ratings, and that’s no small feat. But here’s where it gets even more exciting: three of them are sitting pretty in the top 10. If you’re a Big Ten fan, this is your moment to buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride.
Predicting college basketball outcomes is no easy task, but thankfully, there are analytical wizards like KenPom (https://kenpom.com/) who make it their mission to crack the code. Using a sophisticated model that crunches numbers and projects team performances, KenPom has become a go-to resource for fans and analysts alike. And this year’s preseason rankings? They’re a Big Ten lover’s dream come true.
Let’s dive into the details. Here’s how the Big Ten stacks up in the KenPom preseason ratings:
- No. 3 - Purdue: National championship contenders? You bet. The Boilers are firing on all cylinders.
- No. 6 - Illinois: Loaded with talent, the Fighting Illini are poised for a big season.
- No. 10 - UCLA: The Bruins are back and ready to make noise.
- No. 11 - Michigan: Don’t sleep on the Wolverines—their roster is stacked.
- No. 20 - Wisconsin: Always a force to be reckoned with.
- No. 22 - USC: And this is the part most people miss—the Trojans are ranked higher than Michigan State and Oregon. Can they live up to the hype?
- No. 25 - Michigan State: A perennial powerhouse, but will they meet expectations?
- No. 27 - Ohio State: Solid and steady, as always.
- No. 34 - Maryland: The Terrapins are looking to climb the ranks.
- No. 37 - Oregon: A bit of a surprise, but they’ve got the talent to back it up.
- No. 40 - Indiana: The Hoosiers are aiming for a comeback season.
- No. 45 - Washington: Don’t count them out just yet.
- No. 46 - Iowa: The Hawkeyes are ready to make their mark.
- No. 51 - Nebraska: A team with potential to surprise.
- No. 57 - Northwestern: The Wildcats are clawing their way up.
- No. 73 - Minnesota: Looking to turn things around.
- No. 85 - Rutgers: Coming off a tough season, but could they be the dark horse?
- No. 95 - Penn State: The Nittany Lions are in it to win it.
But here’s where it gets controversial: USC, ranked above Michigan State and Oregon? The Trojans haven’t been a major player in recent years, and they’re still chasing their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2023. Can they justify this high ranking, or is KenPom’s model seeing something we’re not? It’s a bold prediction that’s sure to spark debate.
On the other end of the spectrum, the final three teams—Minnesota, Rutgers, and Penn State—are facing lower expectations. Rutgers, in particular, had a rough go last season despite producing two top-five NBA Draft picks. But could they be the sleeper team of the year? It’s a long shot, but stranger things have happened in college basketball.
This season promises to be a rollercoaster of upsets, rivalries, and jaw-dropping moments. With the Big Ten’s top-heavy talent and the potential for underdog stories, it’s anyone’s game. So, here’s the big question: Which team will rise to the top, and which one will surprise us all? Let’s hear your predictions in the comments—agree or disagree, the floor is yours!
