Ben Kenney
June 21, 2024 7:40 am CT
The 2024-25 Big Ten basketball season will have former Pac-12 programs USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington tested in a new conference landscape.
The new 18-team conference structure is a substantial change. But the conference shouldn’t see a significant difference in competition level. Unlike in football, the Big Ten’s basketball programs are already used to a pool-play format and wide-open regular-season races.
So the 2024-25 season will not see significant change for programs like Wisconsin, Purdue, Iowa, Illinois and other perennial conference contenders. It will just be another challenging path, this time with an extra trip or two to the West Coast.
Related: Wisconsin basketball 2024-25 starting lineup, rotation and bench with Andrija Vukovic signing
For reference on where all 18 teams stand in the new Big Ten landscape, we’ve already ranked all 18 programs and all 18 head coaches entering the 2024-25 campaign.
In short, UCLA joins the upper tier of conference contenders. USC, Washington and Oregon have work to do before reaching that level. That is, again, far from the football landscape that has Oregon, USC and Washington become contenders immediately — at least partial contenders.
The four newcomers and other 13 non-Purdue programs all have the same outlook entering the season: where do we stand in the new conference pecking order, and how do we supplant Purdue as the conference powerhouse.
For an interesting perspective in how all 18 teams enter the first year of the expanded conference, here is a look every team ranked by returning scoring, numbers according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein:
18
USC Trojans
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman works the referees against South Carolina during their second round game of the SEC men’s basketball tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 14, 2024. Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Returning Scoring: 3.5%
2023-24 Record:15-18 (8-12 Pac-12)
Program Ranking: No. 11
USC has as much potential as any program in the conference. But it might take time under new head coach Eric Musselman. 2024-25’s lack of returning production means the rebuild is underway, and it will be a full rebuild.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions onTrojans Wire
17
Washington Huskies
March 21, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana; Utah State Aggies head coach Danny Sprinkle talks to the media during the practice day at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 9.7%
2023-24 Record:17-15 (9-11 Pac 12)
Program Ranking: No. 15
Washington and USCs are in similar situations entering 2024. Danny Sprinkle takes over a Huskies program that badly needs a reboot. Part of that reboot is a complete roster turnover.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions onHuskies Wire
16
Illinois Fighting Illini
March 23, 2024; Omaha, Nebraska; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Underwood gestures after the game against the Duquesne Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 10.6%
2023-24 Record:29-9 (14-6 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 2
2024-25 will be a retool year for Illinois after losing Terrence Shannon Jr., Coleman Hawkins and others after the 2023-24 season. The team will be extremely talented but it will be led by a collection of new faces.
15
Feb. 10, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Noah Fernandes (2) shoots the ball against Wisconsin Badgers guard Max Klesmit (11) and forward Nolan Winter (31) during the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 20%
2023-24 Record:15-17 (7-13 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 13
Rutgers doesn’t bring much back from its 15-17 season in 2023-24. But it is set to welcome in two five-star, top-of-the nation recruits: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. So the lack of returning production isn’t always a bad thing.
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis and opinions onRutgers Wire
14
Michigan Wolverines
March 16, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas; Florida Atlantic Owls head coach Dusty May reacts after a play against the Temple Owls during the first half at Dickies Arena. Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 23.2%
2023-24 Record:8-24 (3-17 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 4
Michigan is one of the many programs entering 2024-25 with a new head coach. For the Wolverines, it is former FAU head coach Dusty May, who already retooled the Wolverines roster with a six-man transfer class. This should be considered good turnover for the Wolverines after a putrid 2023-24 season.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions onWolverines Wire
13
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Jan. 6, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg, right, and Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard, left, shake hands following the Wisconsin Badgers 88-72 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the Kohl Center. Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 35%
2023-24 Record:23-11 (12-8 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 16
Nebraska was terrific in 2023-24, and, unfortunately for its fans, will likely take a step back with most of last year’s team departed. These numbers mean different things for different programs. For Nebraska, a low returning production number is a bad thing.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions onCornhuskers Wire
12
Ohio State Buckeyes
March 26, 2024; Columbus, Ohio; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler motions to his team during the first half of the NIT quarterfinals against the Georgia Bulldogs at Value City Arena. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Returning Scoring: 36.1%
2023-24 Record:22-14 (9-11 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 10
Ohio State chose continuity by promoting interim Jake Diebler to head coach. The Buckeyes lost much of their solid 2023-24 team. But there isn’t as much turnover as there would be under a new head coach from outside of the program.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions onBuckeyes Wire
11
Michigan State Spartans
Jan. 10, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo talks to the referees during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 40.9%
2023-24 Record:20-15 (10-10 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 3
Michigan State entered 2023-24 ranked in the top five nationally. The team did not live up to those expectations, but we’d be foolish to think those struggles will continue. It’s Tom Izzo, and his teams are good regardless of whether there is much returning production.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions onSpartans Wire
10
Maryland Terrapins
Jan. 27, 2024; College Park, Maryland; Maryland Terrapins head coach Kevin Willard reacts during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 43.3%
2023-24 Record:16-17 (7-13 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 12
Maryland took a big step back in 2023-24 after a terrific first season under head coach Kevin Willard. 2024-25 needs to be a big season for the Terrapins. Nearly half of the team’s scoring is returning.
9
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Feb. 27, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Minnesota Gophers head coach Ben Johnson addresses the crowd during a senior night presentation following the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Williams Arena. Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 44.6%
2023-24 Record:19-15 (9-11 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 18
2023-24 was Minnesota’s best season in years. Returning nearly half of the production from that team should help the Gophers’ chances in 2024-25, although the program needs several winning seasons before escaping from the basem*nt of the conference.
8
Oregon Ducks
March 22, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman watches his team play against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 44.7%
2023-24 Record:24-12 (12-8 Pac 12)
Program Ranking: No. 7
Dana Altman is still working to return Oregon to the peaks it experienced from 2012-2019. The transition to the Big Ten should be no problem for the Ducks. The bigger question is whether the program can return to its former perennial Sweet 16 form.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions onDucks Wire
7
Wisconsin Badgers
March 22, 2024; Brooklyn, New York; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard reacts against the James Madison Dukes in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Barclays Center. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 48.1%
2023-24 Record:22-14 (11-9 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 6
Greg Gard’s team lost starters A.J. Storr (portal), Chucky Hepburn (portal) and Tyler Wahl (graduation) after the 2023-24 season. The team welcomed in a talented transfer class, plus a promising freshman class led by Daniel Freitag.
Max Klesmit, John Blackwell and Steven Crowl’s returning production should carry weight as the new additions work to fit in. 2024-25 will be a season of high expectations for a program that desperately needs a year with postseason success.
6
Purdue Boilermakers
March 24, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter looks on during the first half against the Utah State Aggies at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 54%
2023-24 Record:32-4 (17-3 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 1
Good news for the Big Ten: star center Zach Edey is finally done with college basketball after the 2023-24 season. The bad news: Purdue still projects to be fantastic in 2024-25. Matt Painter has built a true powerhouse.
5
Iowa Hawkeyes
March 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery reacts during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Target Center. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 56.7%
2023-24 Record:19-15 (10-10 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 9
Iowa missed the tournament in 2024 for the first time since 2019. That would usually mean that more roster turnover might be a good thing. In the case of a program like Iowa, the more returning production the better. The Hawkeyes are at their best when the seniors develop and contribute. 2024-25 could be one of those years.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions onHawkeyes Wire
4
Indiana Hoosiers
March 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson reacts after being ejected from the game during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Target Center. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 57.7%
2023-24 Record:19-14 (10-10 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 8
Mike Woodson returns a significant chuck of his 2023-24 team that, yet again, fell short of expectations. 2024-25 could finally be there year the Hoosiers break through under Woodson.
3
Northwestern Wildcats
Feb. 28, 2024; College Park, Maryland; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins look down court during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 58.5%
2023-24 Record:22-12 (12-8 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 14
Not only did Chris Collins have a program-best 2023-24 season, but the team also returns nearly 60% of its scoring production. Now, star guard Boo Buie is out of eligibility and generated much of that production. So the Wildcats will need their role players to step up in Buie’s absence this season.
2
Penn State Nittany Lions
Jan. 10, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Mike Rhoades argues a call with an official during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Bryce Jordan Center. Northwestern defeated Penn State 76-72. Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 58.9%
2023-24 Record:16-17 (9-11 Big Ten)
Program Ranking: No. 17
Penn State is in an interesting spot entering Year 2 under head coach Mike Rhoades. The team wasn’t very good in 2023-24, but most of the group is back for a second season. As is the case with any coach in a new setting, Year 2 is when the tenure can begin to be judged.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions onNittany Lions Wire
1
UCLA Bruins
Feb. 18, 2024; Los Angeles, California; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin (right) talks with guard Brandon Williams (5) against the Utah Utes in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Returning Scoring: 64.4%
2023-24 Record:16-17 (10-10 Pac 12)
Program Ranking: No. 5
Look out for UCLA in 2024-25. The program is by far the most interesting of the Big Ten’s new additions. It enters its first year in the new landscape with nearly 65% of its production returning, plus a top high school class and a six-man transfer class. The Bruins could make a statement in its first year in the Big Ten.
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions onUCLA Wire
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