Big Ten reset: After conference's NBA draft decisions, IU looks a clear 2022-23 favorite

Indiana basketball fans had reason to start dreaming about a Big Ten championship on May 20 when Trayce Jackson-Davis announced he was withdrawing from the NBA draft to return for his senior year. They got more reason to dream Wednesday night when several other early draft entrants from the Big Ten made the opposite decision before the NCAA's 11:59 p.m. withdrawal deadline.

Some of the league's early entrants didn't even have to bother announcing their intentions as they were obvious. Purdue's Jaden Ivey, Iowa's Keegan Murray and Wisconsin's Johnny Davis, all of them consensus All-Americans, appear to be sure-thing top-10 picks. Ohio State's Malakhi Branham appears to be a possible lottery pick and a certain first-round selection so his decision was evident as well. But numerous others who had reason to at least consider returning decided to stay in the draft.

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Between all the draft departures and a few other players finally coming to the end of their eligibility after taking their additional COVID year, just three all-conference players will return to the Big Ten next season with Jackson-Davis being one of them.

In a season in which the conference is undergoing something of a reset, that makes the Hoosiers an emerging conference favorite, though certainly not a prohibitive one. What follows are our post-draft deadline power rankings.

1. Indiana

2021-22 record: 21-14, 9-11 Big Ten, lost in NCAA tournament first round

Returning starters: PG Xavier Johnson (12.1 ppg), SF Miller Kopp (6.0 ppg), PF Race Thompson (11.1 ppg), C Trayce Jackson-Davis (18.3 ppg).

Key losses: G Parker Stewart (6.2 ppg), G Rob Phinisee (4.5 ppg), G Khristian Lander (2.9 ppg), C Michael Durr (1.5 ppg)

Transfer additions: None.

Incoming Freshmen (247Sports Composite Rank): Jalen Hood-Schifino (22), Malik Reneau (27), Kaleb Banks (84), CJ Gunn (170).

Outlook: The Hoosiers are at the top of the list at this point by virtue of having more known commodities than almost anyone else in the league. In Jackson-Davis they have one of the conference's most established stars, they have a legitimate lead guard in Xavier Johnson and they return 85.7% of their scoring.

Whether the Hoosiers actually win the league will be determined by what they get from players who didn't start last year, such as junior forward Jordan Geronimo, sophomore guard Tamar Bates and the freshmen Hood-Schifino and Reneau. They desperately need more production from the wings than they had a season ago, and they need much better shooting after making just 33.3% of their 3s last season, hitting a Big Ten-low 5.9 per game. Their only departed starter, Stewart, was their best 3-point shooter last season, so they have to not only make up for his loss but find shooting beyond that.

2. Michigan

2021-22 record: 19-15, 11-9 Big Ten, lost in NCAA tournament regional semifinals

Returning starters: C Hunter Dickinson (18.6 ppg)

Key losses: PG DeVante' Jones (10.3 ppg), SG Eli Brooks (12.8 ppg), SF Caleb Houstan (10.1 ppg), PF Moussa Diabate (9.0 ppg), PF Brandon Johns (3.2 ppg), PG Frankie Collins (2.8 ppg)

Transfer additions: SG Jaelin Llewellyn (Princeton).

Incoming freshmen (247 composite rank): C Tarris Reed (32) SF Jett Howard (38), PG Dug McDaniel (77), PF Gregg Glenn (115)

Outlook: Had Houston and Diabate stayed, Michigan would have likely been the favorite to win the conference. Their departures mean a lot will be riding on freshmen and returners who haven't had much in the way of minutes.

Dickinson gives the Wolverines an anchor as a likely All-American who will challenge Jackson-Davis for Big Ten Player of the Year honors. Llewellyn is an important addition, having averaged better than 15 points per game in each of the past two seasons as an All-Ivy League pick. Forward Terrance Williams got important minutes down the stretch and appears ready for a starting role. But the Wolverines will need a leap from sophomore Kobe Bufkin, a top-50 recruit in 2021 who averaged 3.0 points per game last season. They could also use coach Juwan Howard's son Jett, to play immediately on the wing and the rest of the freshman class to be game-ready.

3. Ohio State

2021-22 record: 20-12, 12-8 Big Ten, lost in second round of NCAA tournament

Returning starters: C Zed Key (7.8 ppg).

Key Losses: PG Jamari Wheeler (7.1 ppg), SG Malakhi Branham (13.7 ppg), SF Justin Ahrens (4.8 ppg), E.J. Liddell (19.4 ppg), F Kyle Young (8.2 ppg), G Meechie Johnson (4.4 ppg), C Joey Brunk (2.4 ppg).

Transfer additions: PG Isaac Likekele (Oklahoma State), SG Sean McNeil (West Virginia), SF Tanner Holden (Wright State).

Incoming freshmen (247 composite ranking): SG Roddy Gayle Jr. (41), PG Bruce Thornton (42), C Felix Okpara (57), SF Brice Sensabaugh (60), SG Bowen Hardman (301).

Outlook: Chris Holtmann's roster got hit by the draft, the transfer portal and simple graduation, so he hit the portal hard and recruited the highest-rated freshman class in the conference (No. 6 nationally).

Likekele gives him a 6-5 lead guard with more than 1,000 career points, 600 rebounds and 400 assists at Oklahoma State. McNeil averaged double figures in each of his past two seasons at West Virginia, hitting 155 3-pointers in three seasons. Holden is a two-time All-Horizon league pick who averaged 20.1 points per game last season. Along with Key, who gives them a solid post presence, they bring back Justice Sueing, an athletic 6-7 wing who averaged double figures in each of his first three college seasons before missing almost all of last season with an abdominal injury. Those veterans should allow the freshmen time to develop, but several rookies should immediately be part of the rotation.

4. Illinois

2021-22 record: 23-10, 15-5 Big Ten, losing in second round of NCAA tournament

Returning Starter: PF Coleman Hawkins (5.9 ppg., 4.3 rpg)

Key losses: C Kofi Cockburn (20.9 ppg) G Trent Frazier (11.6 ppg), G Alfonso Plummer (14.6 ppg), G Andre Curbelo (7.5 ppg), F Jacob Grandison (9.6 ppg), Da'Monte Williams (3.9 ppg), G Austin Hutcherson (2.8 ppg.)

Key transfer additions: F Matthew Mayer (Baylor), F Terrance Shannon (Texas Tech), F Dain Dainja (Baylor)

Incoming Freshmen (247 composite rank): G Skyy Clark (30), F Ty Rodgers (48), G Jayden Epps (67), G Sencire Harris (106)

Outlook: Illinois' roster may have undergone the biggest overhaul of anyone in the league. Grandison recently entered the transfer portal after exiting the NBA draft, and if he stays in there, the Illini will return just one player who averaged 10 minutes per game last season (Hawkins).

However, Illinois' freshman class is the third-highest rated class in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and IU and its transfer haul is one of the best in the country. The 6-9 Mayer started at Baylor last season and was a key cog off the bench for the 2021 national title team, hitting 111 3-pointers in his career there. The 6-6 Shannon averaged double figures in each of his last two seasons at Texas Tech and was All-Big 12 in 2020-21. Dainja barely played last season, but he is 6-9, 270. The Illini may have all new pieces, but they are pieces who could easily be shaped into a Big Ten contender. Losing both of their talented point guards is a blow to the roster, but Clark played point alongside IU's Jalen Hood-Schifino on Montverde Academy's GEICO national title squad, so there's a good chance he'll be ready to go.

5. Purdue

2021-22 record: 29-8 overall, 14-6 Big Ten, lost in NCAA tournament regional semifinals

Returning starters: PF Mason Gillis (6.4 ppg), C Zach Edey (14.4 ppg).

Key Losses: SG Jaden Ivey (17.3 ppg), SF Sasha Stefanovic (10.4 ppg), C Trevion Williams (12.0 ppg), PG Eric Hunter Jr. (6.2 ppg), PG Isaiah Thompson (4.2 ppg).

Transfer additions: None

Incoming freshmen (247 composite ranking): SG Fletcher Loyer (90), SF Camden Heide (125), PG Braden Smith (194).

Outlook: The 2021-22 season was supposed to be Purdue's year and it almost was until Cinderella Saint Peter's came along and ruined it all in the Sweet 16. Now the Boilermakers lose one of the most explosive athletes in the history of the program in Ivey as well as Stefanovic and Williams.

But Matt Painter has done a good job of stockpiling talent and the Boilermakers should still have a roster good enough to be safely in the league's top half and to earn an NCAA tournament bid. The 7-4 Edey gives them size to start with, Gillis has proven a steady glue guy, and several highly-regarded players will be in a position to earn more playing time with the stalwarts having moved on. Former IndyStar Mr. Basketball Caleb Furst could see work at power forward and center. Former Silver Creek star Trey Kaufman-Renn will be back after redshirting last season. Guards Brandon Newman and Ethan Morton should both see their roles increase dramatically with Ivey and Stefanovic gone. Point guard is still an issue the Boilermakers are hoping to solve with another addition, but Morton and Smith would be options if they don't bring anyone in.

6. Michigan State

2021-22 record: 23-13, 11-9 Big Ten, lost in NCAA tournament second round

Returning starters: PG Tyson Walker (8.2 ppg), PF Joey Hauser (7.3 ppg)

Key Losses: SG Max Christie (9.3 ppg), SF Gabe Brown (11.6 ppg), C Marcus Bingham (9.3 ppg), PF Julius Marble 6.4 ppg.

Transfer additions: None

Incoming freshmen (247 composite rank): PF Jaxon Kohler (53), PG Tre Holloman (73), C Carson Cooper (NA).

Outlook: The losses of Brown and Bingham are significant, and Christie's departure in  particular hurts the Spartans' chances. Michigan State still has some frontcourt depth with Malik Hall back along with Hauser. They're in decent shape at point guard with Walker back and A.J. Hoggard there to back him up. However, they are clearly lacking an obvious 2 guard. Sophomore Jaden Akins might turn out to be the guy after some decent moments as a freshman, but he only scored in double figures once against Big Ten competition. Still, a Tom Izzo team is a Tom Izzo team and one with this much experience has to be expected to at least make the NCAA tournament.

7. Wisconsin

2021-22 record: 25-8, 15-5, lost in second round of NCAA tournament

Returning starters: PG Chucky Hepburn (7.9 ppg), PF Tyler Wahl (11.4 ppg), C Steven Crowl (8.8 ppg).

Key losses: SF Johnny Davis (19.7 ppg), SG Brad Davison (14.1 ppg), G Lorne Bowman II (3.0 ppg), F Ben Carlson (1.6 ppg).

Transfer additions: PG Kamari McGee (Green Bay), SG Max Klesmit (Wofford).

Incoming freshman (247 composite rank): SG Connor Essegian (228).

Outlook: Long ago, it became clear Wisconsin had figured out a way to win without the league's most-talented players and when the Badgers are presumed underdogs in the offseason, that's when they're most likely to take a run at a Big Ten title. Such was the case last season when Davis followed a so-so freshman year with a spectacular sophomore campaign and carried the Badgers to a share of the Big Ten title.

This year, they'll be underrated again with Davis a likely top-10 pick and Davison finally out of eligibility. However, they do have some of the pieces that tend to make solid Wisconsin teams. WIth Wahl and Crowl back, they have a solid starting frontcourt. Hepburn comes back with experience running the offense. McGee and Klesmit bring some help in the backcourt with McGee having made the All-Freshman team in the Horizon League and Klesmit coming off a season in which he averaged 14.9 points per game as a third-team All-Southern Conference player at Wofford. The Badgers will likely be underestimated, but we should have learned by now that it's best not to.

8. Iowa

2021-22 record: 26-10, 12-8 Big Ten, lost in NCAA tournament first round

Returning starters: PG Tony Perkins (7.4 ppg), SF Patrick McCaffery (10.5 ppg), C Filip Rebraca (5.8 ppg)

Key Losses: PF Keegan Murray (23.5 ppg), SG Jordan Bohannon (11.0 ppg), PG Joe Toussaint (4.3 ppg).

Transfer additions: None

Incoming freshmen (247 composite rank): PG Dasonte Bowen (136), SG Josh Dix (152).

Outlook: The Hawkeyes lose an All-American and likely top-five pick in Murray and the Big Ten's all-time leading 3-point shooter in Bohannon, but they still have enough important pieces to be dangerous. Murray's twin brother Kris is returning after testing the NBA draft waters and it's conceivable he took could take a leap to at least being an All-Big Ten player. McCaffery and his older brother Connor are both back to bring their father's edginess and spread the floor. Perkins, a Lawrence North grad, proved he can be a solid ball-handler. It might not be one of Fran McCaffery's best teams, but it could conceivably make an NCAA tournament push.

9. Rutgers

2021-22 record: 18-14, 12-8 in the Big Ten, lost in NCAA tournament First Four

Returning starters: PG Paul Mulcahy (9.0 ppg), SF Caleb McConnell (7.1 ppg), C Clifford Omoruyi (11.9 ppg).

Key losses: SG Geo Baker (12.6 ppg), PF Ron Harper Jr. (15.8 ppg), G Jaden Jones (3.6 ppg).

Transfer addition: SG Cam Spencer (Loyola, Md.)

Incoming freshmen (247 composite rank): PG Derek Simpson (226), PF Antwone Woolfolk (273).

Outlook: Notorious Indiana-killers Baker and Harper are finally moving on which makes for an end of an era in Piscataway, and that should lower the Scarlet Knights' ceiling significantly from recent seasons. That being said, Mulcahy, who finished second in the Big Ten in assists per game last season with 5.3, gives them a lead guard, McConnell gives them an inside-outside scorer and Omoruyi gives them a sturdy paint presence. The addition of Spencer, a 6-4 sharpshooter who averaged 18.9 points per game last season in the Patriot League, gives them another perimeter option. That may or may not be enough to get Rutgers back in the NCAA tournament, but it should certainly be enough for them to be a tough team to play.

10. Penn State

2021-22 record: 14-17, 7-13 Big Ten

Returning starters: PG Jalen Pickett (13.3 ppg), SG Myles Dread (6.2 ppg), G Dallion Johnson (3.7 ppg), SF Seth Lundy (11.9 ppg).

Key Losses: PG Sam Sessoms (11.6 ppg), C John Harrar (10.6 ppg), F Greg Lee (6.1 ppg), G Jaheam Cornwall (2.4 ppg),  F Jalanni White (2.3 ppg).

Transfer additions: G Andrew Funk (Bucknell), G Camren Wynter (Drexel).

Incoming freshmen (247 composite ranking): C Kebba Njie (104), G Jameel Brown (134), PG Kanye Clary (179), SF Evan Mahaffey (182), C Demetrius Lilley (258).

Outlook: Micah Shrewsberry, a Cathedral graduate and former Purdue and Butler assistant, got to celebrate a handful of important moments in his first season as a head coach including regular seasons wins over IU, Iowa and Michigan State and Big Ten tournament victories over Minnesota and Ohio State.

Most of his squad is back to build on that effort with the return of Pickett, Dread and Lundy being particularly important. However, Sessoms' transfer was a significant blow and Harrar and Lee exhausted their eligibility, dinging the frontcourt. Funk, who was All-Patriot League at Bucknell and Wynter, who was All-Colonial Athletic Association at Drexel, should help the backcourt immediately, but the Lions will have to ask a lot of their freshman bigs to be able to hang inside.

11. Maryland

2021-22 record: 15-17, 7-13 Big Ten

Returning Starters: SF Hakim Hart (9.9 ppg), PF Donta Scott (12.6 ppg).

Key Losses: PG Fatts Russell (15.1 ppg), SG Eric Ayala (14.7 ppg), C Qudus Wahab (7.7 ppg.)

Transfer Additions: PG Donald Carey (Georgetown), PG Jahmir Young (Charlotte).

Incoming freshman: SF Noah Batchelor (202).

Outlook: After spending more than half the season working under a coach with an interim tag, Maryland now has a full-time coach again in Kevin Willard, previously at Seton Hall. However, the Terps also lost their top two scorers and most dynamic players from a team that was already a sub .500 squad.

The additions of Carey and Young instantly rebuild the backcourt. Carey averaged 13.5 points per game last season at Georgetown. Young, a three-time All-Conference USA pick, averaged 19.6. Hart, Scott and Julian Reese give them at least a viable frontcourt, but there isn't much in the way of depth beyond that. Also, the Terps gave up 109.1 points per 100 possessions in Big Ten games last season, so the defense needs to be drastically better.

12. Minnesota

2021-22 record: 13-17 overall, 4-16 in the Big Ten

Returning starters: PF Jamison Battle (17.5 ppg)

Key losses: PG Peyton Willis (15.9 ppg), SG Luke Loewe (8.1 ppg), SF E.J. Stephens (10.2 ppg). C Eric Curry (7.7 ppg).

Transfer additions: PG Taurus Samuels (Dartmouth), G Taelon Cooper (Morehead State), PF Dawson Garcia (North Carolina).

Incoming freshmen (247 Composite ranking): PF Pharrel Payne (161), SF Jaden Henley (177), PF Josh Ola-Joseph (209), SG Braden Carrington (214).

Outlook: In his first season as head coach of his alma mater, Ben Johnson put together a competitive team with veterans and transfers, but one that won just three of its last 19 games. Battle has a chance to be an All-Big Ten player and so does Garcia, a former four-star recruit and IU target who returned home to Minnesota because of family medical issues. Battle and Garcia alone make for a tough matchup, but the Golden Gophers need the transfer guards to step up and be productive immediately to have any chance in the league.

13. Northwestern

2021-22 record: 15-16 overall, 7-13 Big Ten

Returning Starters: PG Boo Buie (14.1 ppg), SG Chase Audige (9.8 ppg), G Ty Berry (7.4 ppg), F Robbie Beran (6.4 ppg).

Key losses: F Pete Nance (14.6 ppg), F Ryan Young (9.0 ppg).

Transfer additions: PF Tydus Verhoeven (UTEP)

Incoming freshman (247 composite rank): PF Luke Hunger (197).

Outlook: Chris Collins narrowly avoided being let go as the Wildcats' head coach at the end of last season, and he took a hit recently when Nance announced that he would not be staying in the NBA draft but would enter the transfer portal. The Wildcats were already bringing in more frontcourt talent with Verhoeven and Hunger but no one with Nance's proved productivity. Buie and Audige make for a solid backcourt, but Collins could be in trouble if someone else doesn't step up.

14. Nebraska

2021-22 record: 10-22, 4-16 Big Ten

Returning starters: SG Keisei Tominaga (5.7 ppg), PF Lat Mayen (5.9 ppg), C Derrick Walker (9.5 ppg).

Key losses: PG Alonzo Verge (14.5 ppg), SG Bryce McGowens (16.8 ppg), SF Trey McGowens (6.8 ppg).

Transfer additions: SG Emmanuel Bandoumel (SMU), SF Juwan Gary (Alabama), SF Sam Griesel (North Dakota State), C Blaise Keita (Coffeyville Community College).

Incoming freshmen (247 composite ranking): SF Ramel Lloyd Jr. (97) SG Jamarques Lawrence (172), SF Denim Dawson (269).

Outlook: The Nebraska rebuild has proven to be a tough haul for coach Fred Hoiberg, who carries a 24-67 record in Lincoln into his fourth year with a 9-50 Big Ten mark. The Cornhuskers were hoping adding the McGowens brothers and Verge would move the needle some and all three of them turned out to be tough covers but still not enough to keep them from playing on the first day of the Big Ten tournament.

Hoiberg found some help in the portal. Bandoumel averaged double figures in each of his last two seasons at SMU, so he should be able to carry some of the perimeter scoring load. The 6-11, 230-pound Keita could be a difference maker as the highest-rated junior college player in the country. Still, it's hard to imagine this roster can do something last year's could not.

Follow Herald-Times IU Insider Dustin Dopirak on Twitter at @DustinDopirak or email him at DDopirak@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana basketball is Big Ten favorite after NBA draft decisions