The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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haps even the NCAA Tournament, but it's impossible to predict how the new staff and players will mesh on the court. Following the early departures of forward Ignas Brazdeikis, and guards Jordan Poole and Charles Matthews to the NBA, the Maize and Blue will need significant scoring contri- butions in the backcourt from (at least) one of junior guard Eli Brooks, sophomore guard David DeJulius and freshman guard Franz Wagner (who will miss the first 4-6 weeks with a fractured wrist) if they hope to make a fifth straight NCAA bid. 7. Illinois (12-21 overall, 7-13 Big Ten) Many believe Illinois finally has the tal- ent to return to The Big Dance for the first time since 2013, and the main reason sur- rounds the club's guards. Sophomore Ayo Dosunmu (13.8 points per game last year) and junior Trent Frazier (13.7) should form one of the conference's best backcourt duos, while sophomore Giorgi Bezhanishvili and freshman Kofi Cockburn are two formidable big men. Head coach Brad Underwood certainly has the talent in Cham- paign for the club to finish in the upper echelon of the Big Ten, but it's still difficult to pick the squad to conclude higher than seventh in the league when considering they've hit the 20-win plateau just once in the last five seasons. 8. Indiana (19-16 overall, 8-12 Big Ten) The Hoosiers have yet to make the NCAA Tournament during head coach Archie Miller's two years on the job, and that drought is likely to continue in 2019-20. Last year's top two leading scorers — guard Romeo Langford (16.5 points per game) and forward Juwan Morgan (15.5) — are both gone, meaning the offensive load will be shouldered by sophomore point guard Robert Phini- see, junior guard Al Durham and junior forward Justin Smith. The return of redshirt freshman forward Jerome Hunter (if healthy) should provide a boost after the top-60 recruit missed all of last season with injury, while the Hoosiers will also expect immediate contributions from freshman forward Trayce Jackson- Davis (No. 35 overall prospect nationally) in the frontcourt. 9. Iowa (23-12 overall, 10-10 Big Ten) The Hawkeyes received devastating news this offseason when it was announced that senior point guard Jordan Bohannon un- derwent hip surgery in May and could miss the entire campaign. His absence would be a hit to the Hawkeyes' postseason hopes, since the team also lost three key contributors in forwards Tyler Cook (went pro) and Nicholas Baer (graduated), and guard Isaiah Moss (transferred to Kansas). Iowa still possesses two potential stars in 6-11 junior center Luka Garza and sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp, but the status of Bohannon's health is likely what will determine the Hawkeyes' success this season. 10. Penn State (14-18 overall, 7-13 Big Ten) It's no secret that head coach Pat Chambers is on the hot seat, but his club received a boost when forward Lamar Stevens (19.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last year) decided to come back for his senior season. Stevens is one of the best players in the conference and will be surrounded by a respectable support- ing cast, featuring fifth-year senior center Mike Watkins, junior guard Jamari Wheeler and sophomore guard Myles Dread. A trip to The Big Dance should be the goal for the Nittany Lions this season and could be attainable if a pair of transfer guards, red- shirt sophomore Izaiah Brockington and se- nior Curtis Jones, wind up being productive. 11. Minnesota (22-14 overall, 9-11 Big Ten) The Gophers would have been higher on this list, but were moved down Oct. 8 when it was announced that redshirt junior power forward Eric Curry would miss the year with a knee injury. Curry wasn't expected to be a star for head coach Richard Pitino's club, but the problem is that the team is incredibly thin and inexperienced in the frontcourt, with sophomore center Daniel Oturu being the only Gopher who has ever produced at a consistent level in Minneapolis. The team is in much better shape in its backcourt, with redshirt sophomore Marcus Carr expected to run the point after transfer- ring in from Pittsburgh, and sharpshooter Gabe Kalscheur (41.0 percent from three last year) anticipated to take another step forward as a sophomore. 12. Rutgers (14-17 overall, 7-13 Big Ten) The Scarlet Knights finished in last place of the Big Ten each of their first four years in the conference, but finally climbed out of the cellar by tying for 10th last year. One quick glance at their ros- ter clearly indicates the program's trajectory is pointed upward, with junior guard Geo Baker, redshirt junior guard Jacob Young and sophomore guard Montez Mathis giving head coach Steve Pikiell by far the best backcourt he has had in Piscataway. Redshirt sophomore Myles Johnson will serve as the team's primary center, while fifth-year senior forward and Stony Brook transfer Akwasi Yeboah should provide a scoring upgrade after averaging 16.7 points and 7.7 boards per game last season. 13. Nebraska (19-17 overall, 6-14 Big Ten) The Cornhuskers are one of the most difficult teams in the Big Ten to project following Tim Miles' departure and Fred Hoiberg's arrival, given every contributor left Lincoln with the exception of junior guard Thorir Thorbjarnarson (who only played 12.2 minutes per outing last year). Hoiberg constructed his roster of junior college and graduate transfers, highlighted by redshirt sophomore point guard Cam Mack (arrived from Salt Lake Community College) plus a pair of fifth-year senior guards in Haanif Cheatham (Florida Gulf Coast) and Matej Kavas (Seattle). Hoiberg will have a major rebuild on his hands in his first year in Lincoln as he mixes and matches a roster together, meaning it's difficult to envision Nebraska finishing better than a spot or two north of the basement. 14. Northwestern (13-19 overall, 4-16 Big Ten) The magic that head coach Chris Collins created with an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017 has long disappeared, with the club having sunk back to the depths of the Big Ten. It also looks like it will get worse before it gets better in Evanston with the departures of forward Vic Law, center Dererk Pardon and guard Ryan Taylor from last season's squad. Fifth-year senior A.J. Turner may once again be forced to serve as the point guard by default, while substantial leaps from a pair of sophomores in Miller Kopp and Pete Nance (both four stars out of high school) will be paramount to the team's success. PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH IN THE BIG TEN Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Cassius Winston is back to lead a strong MSU team. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL NOVEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 49 2019-20 BASKETBALL PREVIEW