An updated look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten
With the NBA Draft early entry deadline in the rearview mirror and several announced transfers since we last checked in, it’s time for an updated look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten for the 2013-2014 season. (Note: Only scholarship players are listed.)
Illinois (23-13, 8th place, NCAA round of 32)
· Arriving: Kendrick Nunn (ESPNU Top 100), Malcolm Hill (ESPNU Top 100), Austin Colbert, Maverick Morgan, Jaylon Tate, Aaron Cosby (transfer from Seton Hall, eligible in 2014-2015), Jon Ekey (transfer from Illinois State, eligible immediately), Darius Paul (transfer from Western Michigan, eligible in 2014-2015), Rayvonte Rice (transfer from Drake)
· Departing: Brandon Paul (graduation), D.J. Richardson (graduation), Tyler Griffey (graduation), Mike Shaw (transfer), Ibby Djimde (transfer), Devin Langford (transfer)
Notes: It’s been a busy offseason in Champaign as the Illini had three players transfer and will add three new players via transfer and five freshmen. Rice, who transferred to Illinois last April, also becomes eligible.
Indiana (29-7, 1st place, NCAA Sweet Sixteen)
· Arriving: Noah Vonleh (ESPNU Top 100), Troy Williams (ESPNU Top 100), Stanford Robinson (ESPNU Top 100), Luke Fischer (ESPNU Top 100), Devin Davis, Collin Hartman, Evan Gordon (transfer from Arizona State, eligible immediately)
· Departing: Christian Watford (graduation), Jordan Hulls (graduation), Derek Elston (graduation), Victor Oladipo (NBA), Cody Zeller (NBA), Remy Abell (transfer), Maurice Creek (transfer)
Notes: The Hoosiers graduate two starters in Hulls and Watford and lose two projected lottery picks to the NBA Draft in Oladipo and Zeller. But they add the league’s top recruiting class, headlined by five-star power forward Vonleh and Gordon, an experienced backcourt player and the brother of former program standout Eric Gordon.
Iowa (25-13, 6th place, NIT runner-up)
· Arriving: Peter Jok, Jarrod Uthoff (transfer from Wisconsin)
· Departing: Eric May (graduation), Patrick Ingram (transfer)
Notes: Iowa’s roster will remain mostly intact as every notable player from last season’s NIT runner-up squad will return to Iowa City.
Michigan State (27-9, 2nd place tie, NCAA Sweet Sixteen)
· Arriving: Alvin Ellis, Gavin Schilling
· Departing: Derrick Nix (graduation)
Notes: The Spartans received good news late last month when Adreian Payne and Gary Harris spurned the NBA Draft for a chance to compete for a national championship. As a result, Michigan State is probably a preseason top three team nationally.
Michigan (31-8, 4th place tie, NCAA runner-up)
· Arriving: Derrick Walton (ESPNU Top 100), Zak Irvin (ESPNU Top 100), Mark Donnal (ESPNU Top 100)
· Departing: Matt Vogrich (graduation), Blake McLimans (transfer), Trey Burke (NBA), Tim Hardaway Jr. (NBA)
Notes: Like Michigan State, the Wolverines received good news when Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary decided to return to Ann Arbor for their sophomore seasons. However, John Beilein loses Burke and Hardaway Jr. to the NBA, two losses which are significant. The Wolverines will also welcome a recruiting class that features three ESPNU top 100 prospects.
Minnesota (21-13, 7th place, NCAA round of 32)
· Arriving: Malik Smith (transfer from Florida International, eligible immediately), Dru Mathieu, Daquein McNeil
· Departing: Trevor Mbakwe (graduation), Andre Ingram (graduation), Rodney Williams (graduation), Julian Welch (graduation), Joe Coleman (transfer)
Notes: New coach Richard Pitino has been active since taking over the program last month, adding a transfer in Malik Smith and a pair of guards in Dru Mathieu and Daquein McNeil. Joe Coleman also decided to leave the program. The losses of Mbakwe and Williams on the frontline are significant in Minneapolis.
Nebraska (15-18, 10th place)
· Arriving: Tai Webster, Nick Fuller, Nathan Hawkins, Leslee Smith
· Departing: Brandon Ubel (graduation), Dylan Talley (graduation), Andre Almeida (graduation)
Notes: The Huskers lose two of their top three scorers, but Webster, Fuller and Hawkins could all play heavy minutes next season. Big picture, this looks like another year of fighting to stay out of the cellar in Lincoln.
Northwestern (13-19, 11th place)
· Arriving: Nate Taphorn
· Departing: Alex Marcotullio (graduation), Jared Swopshire (graduation), Reggie Hearn (graduation)
Notes: New coach Chris Collins’ first major recruiting task was bringing point guard Jaren Sina, who signed under Bill Carmody and is still considering the Wildcats, back into the fold. That didn’t happen. With Jershon Cobb (suspended) and Drew Crawford (injury) both returning, Northwestern still figures to be very competitive next season.
Ohio State (29-8, 2nd place tie, NCAA Elite Eight)
· Arriving: Kameron Williams (ESPNU Top 100), Marc Loving (ESPNU Top 100)
· Departing: Evan Ravenel (graduation), Deshaun Thomas (NBA)
Notes: The loss of Thomas was expected, but still a major blow, and Ravenel is a depth loss on the front line, but Thad Matta adds two ESPNU Top 100 recruits to a solid returning nucleus led by Aaron Craft.
Penn State (10-21, 12th place)
· Arriving: Geno Thorpe, Graham Woodward, Julian Moore, Payton Banks
· Departing: Nick Colella (graduation), Sasa Borovnjak (graduation), Patrick Ackerman (transfer), Akosa Maduegbunam (transfer), Jermaine Marshall (opted to pursue professional career)
Notes: Moore should give the Nittany Lions some much needed size up front and the return of Tim Frazier should make Penn State much more formidable next winter. But the loss of Marshall, who opted to pursue a career overseas rather than returning for his senior season, was a major setback.
Purdue (16-18, 9th place, CBI)
· Arriving: Kendall Stephens (ESPNU Top 100), Bryson Scott, Basil Smotherman, Errick Peck (transfer from Cornell, eligible immediately)
· Departing: D.J. Byrd (graduation), Anthony Johnson (transfer), Sandi Marcius (transfer), Jacob Lawson (transfer)
Notes: The Boilermakers have three transfers, but none of the three are major losses. Meanwhile, Peck, Stephens and Scott will give Matt Painter a wider array of options in the backcourt to go with Terone and Ronnie Johnson.
Wisconsin (23-12, 4th place tie, NCAA Tournament)
· Arriving: Nigel Hayes (ESPNU Top 100), Bronson Koenig, Riley Dearring, Jordan Hill, Vitto Brown
· Departing: Jared Berggren (graduation), Mike Bruesewitz (graduation), Ryan Evans (graduation)
Notes: The Badgers lose a ton of front line experience, but add a capable frontline scorer in Hayes and a very good guard in Koenig. Josh Gasser will also be back in the fold following a knee injury.
Filed to: 2013-2014 Big Ten preview