An early look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten
With the spring signing period set to begin tomorrow and several key NBA Draft decisions out of the way, it’s time for our first look at who’s coming and going in the Big Ten for the 2013-2014 season.
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)
· Departing: Brandon Paul (graduation), D.J. Richardson (graduation), Tyler Griffey (graduation), Mike Shaw (transfer), Ibby Djimde (transfer), Devin Langford (transfer)
Notes: The Illini graduate their leading scorer in Paul, but bring in a solid class headlined by a pair of guards from Illinois in Nunn and Hill. Three players who were recruited under Bruce Weber have also left the program via transfer.
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
· Departing: Christian Watford (graduation), Jordan Hulls (graduation), Derek Elston (graduation), Victor Oladipo (NBA), Cody Zeller (NBA), Remy Abell (transfer)
Notes: The Hoosiers graduate two starters in Hulls and Watford and lose two others to the NBA Draft in Oladipo and Zeller. They also bring in the league’s top recruiting class, headlined by five-star power forward Noah Vonleh.
Iowa (25-13, 6th place, NIT runner-up)
· Arriving: Peter Jok
· Departing: Eric May (graduation)
Notes: Fran McCaffery will have continuity on his side as the Hawkeyes only graduate one player and return a young team that looks poised to make the NCAA Tournament next March.
Michigan State (27-9, 2nd place tie, NCAA Sweet Sixteen)
· Arriving: Gavin Schilling
· Departing: Derrick Nix (graduation)
Notes: The Spartans still have key NBA decisions on the table as Adreian Payne and Gary Harris are both possibilities to declare for June’s draft. If both return, 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 (graduation), Trey Burke (NBA)
Notes: Like Michigan State, the Wolverines could still have NBA defections on the horizon as decisions loom for Tim Hardaway Jr., Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III. Burke has already declared for the draft and John Beilein has signed a top 15 class with three ESPNU Top 100 recruits.
Minnesota (21-13, 7th place, NCAA round of 32)
· Arriving: None
· Departing: Trevor Mbakwe (graduation), Andre Ingram (graduation), Rodney Williams (graduation), Julian Welch (graduation)
Notes: New coach Richard Pitino will likely be active in the spring signing period as Alex Foster and Alvin Ellis, the school’s two recruits for 2013 under Tubby Smith, are no longer coming to Minneapolis. The losses of Mbakwe and Williams on the frontline are significant.
Nebraska (15-18, 10th place)
· Arriving: Tai Webster, Nick Fuller, Nathan Hawkins, Leslee Smith, Tim Wagner
· Departing: Brandon Ubel (graduation), Dylan Talley (graduation), Andre Almeida
Notes: The Huskers lose two of their top three scorers, but Webster, Fuller and Hawkins could all play heavy minutes next season.
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 is bringing point guard Jaren Sina, who signed under Bill Carmody and is still considering the Wildcats, back into the fold. With Jershon Cobb (suspended) and Drew Crawford (injury) both returning, Northwestern 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 is significant and Ravenel is a depth loss on the front line, but Thad Matta adds two ESPNU Top 100 recruits to a solid returning nucleus.
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)
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.
Purdue (16-18, 9th place, CBI)
· Arriving: Kendall Stephens (ESPNU Top 100), Bryson Scott, Basil Smotherman
· Departing: D.J. Byrd (graduation), Anthony Johnson (transfer), Sandi Marcius (transfer), Jacob Lawson (transfer)
Notes: The Boilermakers have announced three transfers over the past week, but none of the three are major losses. Meanwhile, 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