An updated look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten
It’s been more than two weeks since our early look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten and there’s been no shortage of news in that span around the Big Ten including a major de-commitment, NBA draft decisions and a few new commitments.
Here’s our updated look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten for the 2015-2016 season.
Illinois (19-14, 7th place tie, NIT first round)
· Arriving: Aaron Jordan, Darius Paul, D.J. Williams (247Composite top 100), Jalen Coleman (247Composite top 100), Mike Thorne (Graduate transfer from Charlotte)
· Departing: Aaron Cosby (transfer), Ahmad Starks (graduation), Austin Colbert (transfer), Nnanna Egwu (graduation), Rayvonte Rice (graduation)
Notes: There haven’t been any changes in recent weeks for the Illini, who have the No. 18 recruiting class in the country according to Scout.com.
Indiana (20-14, NCAA tournament round of 64)
· Arriving: Juwan Morgan, O.G. Anunoby, Thomas Bryant (247Composite top 100)
· Departing: Jeremiah April (transfer), Max Hoetzel (transfer), Stanford Robinson (transfer)
Notes: Indiana received a major boost in late April as Yogi Ferrell announced that he will return for his senior season. That was followed by news that Jeremiah April will transfer, which puts the Hoosiers at 13 scholarship players for next season.
Iowa (22-12, 3rd place tie, NCAA tournament round of 32)
· Arriving: Ahmad Wagner, Andrew Fleming, Brandon Hutton, Christian Williams, Dale Jones, Isaiah Moss
· Departing: Aaron White (graduation), Gabriel Olaseni (graduation), Josh Oglesby (graduation), Trey Dickerson (transfer)
Notes: The Hawkeyes welcomed a sixth member to their 2015 recruiting class, JUCO forward Dale Jones, on April 20.
Maryland (28-7, 2nd place, NCAA tournament round of 32)
· Arriving: Diamond Stone (247Composite top 100), Jaylen Brantley, Robert Carter (Georgia Tech transfer)
· Departing: Dez Wells (graduation), Evan Smotrycz (graduation), Jon Graham (graduation), Richaud Pack (graduation)
Notes: The Terrapins didn’t land Drexel transfer Damion Lee, who picked Louisville, but are in the mix for Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon.
Michigan State (27-12, 3rd place tie, NCAA tournament Final Four)
· Arriving: Deyonta Davis (247Composite top 100), Eron Harris (West Virginia transfer), Kyle Ahrens, Matthew McQuaid (247Composite top 100)
· Departing: Branden Dawson (graduation), Travis Trice (graduation)
Notes: The Spartans lost a consensus top 20 recruit in Indiana Mr. Basketball Caleb Swanigan, who committed last month, but never signed a National Letter of Intent. Without Swanigan, the Spartans fell to No. 22 in the Scout.com team recruiting rankings for 2015. Michigan State is still being mentioned with Missouri transfer Jonathan Williams III and Bradley transfer Josh Cunningham, although neither player will be eligible next season.
Michigan (16-16, 9th place)
· Arriving: Duncan Robinson (Williams College transfer), Moritz Wagner
· Departing: Max Bielfeldt (transfer)
Notes: Several chips fell in recent weeks for the Wolverines. First, Caris LeVert opted to return for his senior season. Max Bielfeldt was granted his release and will transfer for his final season with immediately eligibility. And a pair of recruiting targets – Jaylen Brown (California) and Kenny Williams (North Carolina) – both opted to go elsewhere.
Minnesota (18-15, 10th place tie)
· Arriving: Dupree McBrayer, Jarvis Johnson, Jonathan Nwankwo, Kevin Dorsey (247Composite top 100)
· Departing: Andre Hollins (graduation), Deandre Mathieu (graduation), Elliott Eliason (graduation), Maurice Walker (graduation)
Notes: Richard Pitino added a fifth player to his 2015 recruiting class in J.R. Gilbert, a three-star small forward from Pennsylvania. Gilbert originally signed with George Mason, but reopened his recruitment following the firing of Paul Hewitt.
Nebraska (13-18, 12th place)
· Arriving: Andrew White (Kansas transfer), Barkari Evelyn, Ed Morrow, Glynn Watson (247Composite top 100), Jack McVeigh, Michael Jacobson
· Departing: David Rivers (graduation), Tarin Smith (transfer), Leslee Smith (graduation), Moses Abraham (graduation), Terran Petteway (early entry), Walter Pitchford (early entry)
Notes: Nebraska picked up a commitment from Louisville transfer Anton Gill, who will sit out next season. ESPN.com lists the Huskers in the mix for several graduate transfers: Tyler Harris from Providence, Anton Grady from Cleveland State and Tomasz Gielo of Liberty.
Northwestern (15-17, 10th place tie)
· Arriving: Aaron Falzon, Dererk Pardon, Joey van Zegeren (Graduate transfer from Virginia Tech), Jordan Ash
· Departing: Dave Sobolewski (graduation), Jeremiah Kreisberg (graduation), Jershon Cobb (graduation), Johnnie Vassar (transfer)
Notes: No major changes for Northwestern in recent weeks as the Wildcats appear to have their roster set for next season.
Ohio State (24-11, 5th place, NCAA tournament round of 32)
· Arriving: A.J. Harris (247Composite top 100), Austin Grandstaff (247Composite top 100), Daniel Giddens (247Composite top 100), JaQuan Lyle (247Composite top 100), Mickey Mitchell, Trevor Thompson (transfer from Virginia Tech)
· Departing: Amir Williams (graduation), Anthony Lee (graduation), D’Angelo Russell (NBA), Sam Thompson (graduation), Shannon Scott (graduation), Trey McDonald (graduation)
Notes: It wasn’t a surprise to anyone, but D’Angelo Russell declared for the NBA draft since our last update and is expected to be a top five pick.
Penn State (18-16, 13th place)
· Arriving: Josh Reaves (247Composite top 100), Mike Watkins (247Composite top 100), Deividas Zemgulis
· Departing: D.J. Newbill (graduation), Ross Travis (graduation), John Johnson (graduation)
Notes: No major updates for the Nittany Lions, who announced a contract extension for Pat Chambers at the conclusion of last season despite another sub. 500 conference record.
Purdue (21-13, 3rd place tie, NCAA tournament round of 64)
· Arriving: Grant Weatherford, Ryan Cline
· Departing: Bryson Scott (transfer), Jon Octeus (graduation)
Notes: It’s not official, but there’s plenty of speculation that Swanigan could be headed to West Lafayette, which would give Matt Painter a McDonald’s All-American to pair with A.J. Hammons and Isaac Haas. Even if that happens, the Boilermakers are still thin at the point guard position.
Rutgers (10-22, 14th place)
· Arriving: Corey Sanders (247Composite top 100), Deshawn Freeman, Jonathan Laurent, Justin Goode, Kejuan Johnson
· Departing: Junior Etou (transfer), Kadeem Jack (graduation), Kerwin Okoro (transfer), Malick Kone (graduation), Myles Mack (graduation)
Notes: The Scarlet Knights added Kansas State transfer Nigel Johnson, who will sit out next season and Hutchinson (Kan.) forward Deshawn Freeman, the No. 14 junior college player in the country according to 247Sports.
Wisconsin (36-4, Big Ten champion, NCAA tournament runner-up)
· Arriving: Alex Illikainen, Brevin Pritzl (247Composite top 100), Charlie Thomas, Khalil Iverson
· Departing: Duje Dujan (graduation), Frank Kaminsky (graduation), Josh Gasser (graduation), Sam Dekker (early entry), Traevon Jackson (graduation)
Notes: There’s been no movement in Madison as Bo Ryan doesn’t dabble in the graduate transfer market.
Filed to: 2015-2016 season preview