An updated look at who is coming and going in the Big Ten for the 2020-21 season

  • 08/03/2020 11:04 am in

With all of the Big Ten’s NBA draft early entrant decisions out of the way, it’s time for an updated look at who is coming and going in the Big Ten for the 2020-21 season.

(Note: This is the fifth post in a series that will appear multiple times this offseason. In most instances, only scholarship players are included. If we missed anything, please email corrections to [email protected] or post in the comments.)

Illinois

· Returning: Trent Frazier, Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Da’Monte Williams, Austin Hutcherson, Jermaine Hamlin, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Jacob Grandison, Kofi Cockburn, Ayo Dosunmu
· Arriving: Andre Curbelo (247Composite top 100), Adam Miller (247Composite top 100), Coleman Hawkins, Brandon Lieb
· Departing: Alan Griffin (transfer), Kipper Nichols, Tevian Jones (transfer), Andres Feliz

Notes: Illinois solidified its position as a Big Ten contender with decisions from Cockburn and Dosunmu to return to school. The Illini now have one of the nation’s deepest backcourts.

Indiana

· Returning: Al Durham Jr., Joey Brunk, Race Thompson, Jerome Hunter, Rob Phinisee, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Armaan Franklin
· Arriving: Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway, Jordan Geronimo (247Composite top 100), Khristian Lander (247Composite top 100)
· Departing: Devonte Green, De’Ron Davis, Damezi Anderson (transfer), Justin Smith (transfer)

Notes: Is this the season Archie Miller finally breaks through in Bloomington? The roster is set up to make a move in the standings.

Iowa

· Returning: Jordan Bohannon, Joe Wieskamp, Jack Nunge, CJ Fredrick, Connor McCaffery, Pat McCaffery, Joe Toussaint, Luka Garza
· Arriving: Ahron Ulis, Tony Perkins, Josh Ogundele, Keegan Murray, Kris Murray
· Departing: Ryan Kreiner, Cordell Pemsl (transfer)

Notes: Garza’s return means expectations will be high in Iowa City. Can Fran McCaffery build a competent defense? We’re skeptical.

Maryland

· Returning: Eric Ayala, Aaron Wiggins, Serrel Smith Jr., Darryl Morsell, Donta Scott, Chol Marial
· NBA draft early entrants: Jalen Smith
· Arriving: Jairus Hamilton (transfer from Boston College), Marcus Dockery, Aquan Smart, Galin Smith (graduate transfer from Alabama)
· Departing: Anthony Cowan, Ricky Lindo Jr. (transfer), Joshua Tomaic (transfer)

Notes: Maryland is in rebuilding mode following the graduation of Cowan and the departure of Smith. Could Mark Turgeon’s job be in jeopardy?

Michigan

· Returning: Austin Davis, Adrien Nunez, Brandon Johns, Eli Brooks, Franz Wagner, Isaiah Livers
· Arriving: Mike Smith (graduate transfer from Columbia), Zeb Jackson (247Composite top 100), Hunter Dickinson (247Composite top 100), Terrance Williams (247Composite top 100), Jace Howard, Chaundee Brown (transfer from Wake Forest)
· Departing: Zavier Simpson, Jon Teske, David DeJulius (transfer), Colin Castleton (transfer), Cole Bajema (transfer)

Notes: Michigan’s roster has changed significantly this offseason, but the Wolverines do return one of the league’s top players in Livers and also welcome a stellar freshman class.

Michigan State

· Returning: Foster Loyer, Gabe Brown, Thomas Kithier, Marcus Bingham Jr., Malik Hall, Rocket Watts, Julius Marble, Joey Hauser, Aaron Henry
· NBA draft early entrants: Xavier Tillman
· Arriving: Mady Sissoko (247Composite top 100), AJ Hoggard (247Composite top 100)
· Departing: Cassius Winston, Joshua Langford (could apply for fifth year of eligibility), Kyle Ahrens

Notes: Michigan State is returning Henry, who tested the NBA draft waters, but will have to replace one of the league’s best frontcourt players in Tillman.

Minnesota

· Returning: Eric Curry, Gabe Kalscheur, Jarvis Omersa, Tre’ Williams, Sam Freeman, Isaiah Ihnen, Marcus Carr
· NBA draft early entrants: Daniel Oturu
· Arriving: Brandon Johnson (graduate transfer from Western Michigan), Liam Robbins (transfer from Drake), Jamal Mashburn Jr. (247Composite top 100), Martice Mitchell, David Mutaf, Both Gach (transfer from Utah)
· Departing: Payton Willis (transfer), Michael Hurt, Alihan Demir, Bryan Greenlee (transfer)

Notes: The Gophers look like a bottom half Big Ten team after losing Oturu, who was one of the most dominant frontcourt players in the country.

Nebraska

· Returning: Thorir Thorbjarnarson, Akol Arop, Shamiel Stevenson, Derrick Walker, Yvan Ouedraogo, Dalano Banton
· Arriving: Trey McGowens (transfer from Pittsburgh), Kobe Webster (graduate transfer from Western Illinois), Teddy Allen, Lat Mayen, Trevor Lakes (transfer from Indianapolis, will sit out), Eduardo Andre, Elijah Wood
· Departing: Cam Mack (transfer), Dachon Burke (transfer), Jervay Green (transfer), Haanif Cheatham, Matej Kavas, Kevin Cross (transfer), Charlie Easley (transfer)

Notes: It’s going to be a slow climb for Fred Hoiberg as he attempts to bring Nebraska’s talent to the same level as the rest of the Big Ten. Right now, Hoiberg simply doesn’t have the players to escape the league cellar.

Northwestern

· Returning: Ryan Greer, Miller Kopp, Pete Nance, Anthony Gaines, Ryan Young, Robbie Beran, Boo Buie, Chase Audige
· Arriving: Ty Berry, Matt Nicholson
· Departing: A.J. Turner, Pat Spencer, Jared Jones (transfer)

Notes: Unless Northwestern is able to get a lot more out of guys like Kopp, Nance, Young, Buie and Beran, it’s going to be a long winter in Evanston.

Ohio State

· Returning: Musa Jallow, Duane Washington Jr., Justin Ahrens, Kyle Young, EJ Liddell, Ibrahima Diallo, Justice Seuing, CJ Walker
· NBA draft early entrants: Kaleb Wesson
· Arriving: Jimmy Sotos (transfer from Bucknell), Seth Towns (graduate transfer from Harvard), Abel Porter (graduate transfer from Utah State), Eugene Brown III, Zed Key
· Departing: Andre Wesson, DJ Carton (transfer), Alonzo Gaffney (transfer), Luther Muhammad (transfer)

Notes: Ohio State will rely heavily on two graduate transfers and lost a significant amount of talent from a group that was primed for a third straight NCAA tournament appearance last season.

Penn State

· Returning: Myles Dread, Izaiah Brockington, Myreon Jones, John Harrar, Jamari Wheeler, Trent Buttrick, Seth Lundy, Patrick Kelly
· Arriving: Sam Sessoms (transfer from Binghamton), Dallion Johnson, DJ Gordon, Valdir Manuel, Caleb Dorsey
· Departing: Lamar Stevens, Mike Watkins, Curtis Jones Jr.

Notes: Penn State was on track to make the 2020 NCAA tournament before it was canceled. This year’s Nittany Lions are unlikely to replicate last season’s record.

Purdue

· Returning: Aaron Wheeler, Eric Hunter, Trevion Williams, Emmanuel Dowuona, Sasha Stefanovic, Brandon Newman, Mason Gillis, Isaiah Thompson
· Arriving: Jaden Ivey (247Composite top 100), Ethan Morton (247Composite top 100), Zach Edey
· Departing: Matt Haarms (transfer), Evan Boudreaux, Jaahad Proctor, Nojel Eastern (transfer)

Notes: We’re bullish on the Boilermakers despite the departures of Haarms and Eastern. There’s enough talent here to be an NCAA tournament team.

Rutgers

· Returning: Geo Baker, Myles Johnson, Mamadou Doucoure, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., Caleb McConnell, Jacob Young, Paul Mulcahy
· Arriving: Cliff Omoruyi (247Composite top 100), Mawot Mag, Dean Reiber, Oskar Palmquist
· Departing: Akwasi Yeboah, Shaq Carter, Peter Kiss (transfer)

Notes: It’s been a quiet offseason in Piscataway, but one big question remains: Can the Scarlet Knights keep the magic alive in the RAC next season, particularly if fans aren’t allowed in the building?

Wisconsin

· Returning: D’Mitrik Trice, Micah Potter, Aleem Ford, Brad Davison, Nate Reuvers, Trevor Anderson, Joe Hedstrom, Tyler Wahl
· Arriving: Ben Carlson (247Composite top 100), Johnny Davis, Lorne Bowman, Steven Crowl, Jordan Davis
· Departing: Brevin Pritzl, Kobe King (transfer)

Notes: The Badgers are currently our pick to win the Big Ten next season as all five starters return from a team that won a share of the title last season.

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