Biggest hope for Big Ten basketball fans

As winter nears, basketball season is heating up, and fans around the Big Ten have plenty to cheer about. Seven Big Ten teams remain undefeated, while those that have lost only suffered one defeat.

Five of those teams earned spots in the AP Top 25 poll. Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Illinois all started their seasons strong enough to secure rankings. Notably, Illinois, last season's Big Ten champion, slipped in at No. 25.

For Wisconsin fans, last season’s Big Ten championship loss stung, but it has fueled the team’s determination to come back stronger. Wisconsin remains undefeated and ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten standings. The Badgers upset the Arizona Wildcats on Friday, November 15, avenging last season’s loss.

The Badgers are powered by guard John Tonje, who averages 22.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard John Blackwell has also emerged as a standout, contributing 16.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

Illinois fans still have plenty of reasons to stay optimistic. The Illini entered the season as the reigning Big Ten champions and, despite being ranked No. 25, have a long season ahead to prove their potential.

While Illinois lost Terrence Shannon Jr., the previous Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, they gained freshman standout Will Riley. Riley has been a key contributor, averaging 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game so far this season.

Illinois isn’t the only young team in the Big Ten being led by an underclassman. Sophomore Mackenzie Mgbako, from Gladstone, New Jersey, has emerged as the Hoosiers’ key player.

Fans should trust in these younger stars, especially considering Mgbako’s accolades. He was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year last season after leading all Big Ten freshmen with 377 points and 82 made free throws.

This season, Mgbako continues to shine, averaging 22.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 90 percent from the free throw line.

The hope in underclassmen continues at Rutgers, where two freshman guards are making a big impact for the Scarlet Knights. Freshmen, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper have been electrifying Scarlet Knights fans. Bailey and Harper have played a key role in keeping Rutgers’ undefeated streak alive. Bailey is averaging 20 points per game. Meanwhile, Harper’s average follows close behind with 19.5 points.

Purdue fans might still miss former Big Ten Player of the Year Zach Edey, but they can find comfort in relying on their juniors. Forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, standing at 6-foot-9, has been a major threat, shooting over 60 percent from the field. Kaufman-Renn isn’t the only star for the Boilermakers, though. Guard Fletcher Loyer is averaging 16.2 points per game and shooting 65 percent from beyond the arc.

While those fans take pride in their teams' rankings, Penn State fans eagerly await the day the team cracks the top 25. The Nittany Lions have opened the season strong, surpassing 100 points in three of their six games. As of Nov. 20, 2024, Penn State ranks third in the nation for scoring offenses, averaging 98.2 points per game. The team is undefeated at 6-0, with returning guard Ace Baldwin Jr. leading the charge.

As for Big Ten fans, get ready for the season to unfold. The Big Ten Conference kicks off on Tuesday, Dec. 3. 18 conference games will be played from Dec. 3 to 13th before the holiday break.

Mckenna Kerr is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email her at mgk5278@psu.edu.