Best college basketball player returning for each Big Ten team this season
Big Ten basketball is among the best if not the best in the entire country. While the SEC dominates football, the Big Ten has always been the holy grail of sorts for basketball.
It has a deep history with great coaches like Tom Izzo, Steve Fisher, Tom Davis, and the chair-throwing Bob Knight. Dabble in legendary players creating even better moments and you know exactly what every college basketball fan loves about the sport.
This year, there are some familiar faces expected to have big roles on their squads as they pursue a Big Ten title and beyond. Different than most years though it seems the teams that have been scrapping the bottom may finally be making some headroom which makes the conference even more competitive.
Here are some of the best returning players from each Big Ten team.
Indiana Hoosiers
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Pos: Center
Stats: 18.3 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, and 1.9 assists per game
Purdue Boilermakers
Syndication: The Record
Zach Edey
Pos: Center
Stats: 14.4 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game
Michigan Wolverines
Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Hunter Dickinson
Pos: Center
Stats: 18.6 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 2.3 assists per game
Illinois Fighting Illini
Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Coleman Hawkins
Pos: Forward
Stats: 5.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game
Ohio State Buckeyes
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Zed Key
Pos: Forward
Stats: 7.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 0.5 assists per game
Wisconsin Badgers
Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Wahl
Pos: Forward
Stats: 11.4 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 1.5 assists per game
Michigan State Spartans
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Malik Hall
Pos: Forward
Stats: 8.9 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 1.1 assists per game
Iowa Hawkeyes
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick McCaffery
Pos: Forward
Stats: 10.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
(AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Clifford Omoruyi
Pos: Center
Stats: 11.9 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 0.4 assists per game
Maryland Terrapins
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Donta Scott
Pos: Forward
Stats: 12.6 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game
Northwestern Wildcats
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Boo Buie
Pos: Guard
Stats: 14.1 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, and 4.3 assists per game
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jamison Battle
Pos: Forward
Stats: 17.5 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 1.0 assists per game
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick Walker
Pos: Forward
Stats: 9.5 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, and 1.4 assists per game
Penn State Nittany Lions
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Pickett
Pos: Forward
Stats: 13.3 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 4.1 assists per game
