Big Ten men’s basketball offseason recap

The college basketball offseason will never be the same.

What used to be a mild, high-school-recruit-focused six months has now turned into a mad dash, with coaches like Northwestern’s Chris Collins scrambling to rebuild its rosters after waking up to find it has just three returning players. Combine that with the fact that this is the first year that the new “5-for-5” eligibility rule is in effect and things have gotten even crazier, with 24-year-olds fighting courts around the country to gain an extra year of eligibility.

But after months of chaos, we’ve made it to mid-October. Pending a flurry of court injunctions and last-minute transfer portal decisions, the offseason is over and college basketball is officially just a couple weeks away.

Here’s a recap of what happened to every Big Ten basketball roster since March:

Note: All recruit and transfer grades are taken from 247Sports.Players that have entered the transfer portal and are yet to choose a transfer destination are listed as “undecided transfers.” Players whose status for the season depends on a judge decision for an extra year of eligibility are listed with two asterisks next to their name (**).Transfers and recruits listed without a player grade have not been graded by 247 Sports.

Illinois Fighting Illini

No. 16 transfer class and No. 4 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Keaton Wagler (NBA), Kylan Boswell (graduation), Ben Humrichous (graduation), AJ Redd (graduation), Brandon Lee (three-star to JMU), Ty Rodgers (three-star to Boise State), Mihailo Petrovic (three-star to Seton Hall), Toni Bilic (undecided transfer)

Returners: David Mirkovic (13.6 PPG), Andrej Stojakovic (13.5 PPG), Tomislav Ivisic (10.2 PPG), Zvonimir Ivisic (6.4 PPG), Jake Davis (5.6 PPG), Jason Jakstys (1.3 PPG), Blake Fagbemi (0.2 PPG)

Transfers: Stefan Vaaks (four-star from Providence)

Recruits: Quentin Coleman (Missouri five-star), Lucas Morillo (Massachusetts four-star), Zavier Zens (Wisconsin four-star), Lincoln Williams (Illinois three-star), Ethan Brown (Missouri three-star), Landon Davis (Iowa three-star)

One year after making its sixth Final Four in history, Illinois has reloaded its roster and is ready to compete for a national title. The Fighting Illini saw star guard Keaton Wagler and role players Kylan Boswell and Ben Humrichous depart in the offseason, but were able to retain all of its other star power, including one of this year’s major Big Ten Player of the Year favorites — 6-foot-9 David Mirkovic — and 6-foot-9 Andrej Stojakovic, who averaged 13.8 points in the NCAA Tournament last year for the Illini. To that foundation, Illinois is adding its second-highest-ranked recruit in program history in Quentin Coleman and perhaps the conference’s best transfer: 6-foot-7 sophomore guard Stefan Vaaks, who averaged 15.8 points for Providence last year. Illinois is a juggernaut.

Indiana Hoosiers

No. 1 transfer class and No. 9 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Lamar Wilkerson (graduation), Conor Enright (graduation), Tayton Conerway (graduation), Tucker DeVries (graduation), Reed Bailey (three-star to Saint John’s), Nick Dorn (three-star to Miami), Andrej Acimovic (zero-star to Missouri State), Josh Harris (three-star to Florida Atlantic), Aleksa Ristic (to Belmont), Jason Drake (to Temple), Jasai Miles (to LMU), Tayton Conerway** (undecided transfer)

Returners: Sam Alexis** (8.8 PPG), Trent Sisley (4.2 PPG)

Transfers: Aiden Sherrell (four-star from Alabama), Markus Burton (four-star from Notre Dame), Samet Yigitoglu (four-star from SMU), Jaeden Mustaf (four-star from Georgia Tech), Darren Harris (three-star from Duke), Bryce Lindsay (three-star from Villanova), Justin Monden (from Maryland Eastern Shore)

Recruits: Vaughn Karvala (Arizona four-star), Trevor Manhertz (North Carolina four-star), Prince-Alexander Moody (Maryland four-star), Clemens Sokolov (Germany three-star)

Darian DeVries has said he was “forced” to go deep into the portal this offseason after seeing three seniors graduate and eight players transfer, leaving his roster with just two returning players. However, the deep dive proved to be a massive success for the Hoosiers, who come out of the offseason with 247 Sports’ No. 1-ranked Big Ten transfer class. Indiana’s major additions are 7-foot, 250-pound forward Aiden Sherrell, who averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds for Alabama last year, All-ACC Second Team guard Markus Burton, who scored 18.5 points per game for Notre Dame, and 7-foot-2 Turkish forward Samet Yigitoglu, who averaged 10.7 points at SMU. With those standout transfers and three four-star recruits, the Hoosiers look primed to be a major force in the conference.

Iowa Hawkeyes

No. 15 transfer class and No. 15 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Bennett Stirtz (graduation), Brendan Hausen (graduation), Alvaro Folgueiras (four-star to Louisville), Tavion Banks (undecided transfer)

Returners: Cooper Koch (7.8 PPG), Cam Manyawu (6.9 PPG), Kael Combs (6.2 PPG), Tate Sage (5.6 PPG), Isaia Howard (5.1 PPG), Trevin Jirak (3.4 PPG), Joey Matteoni (1.5 PPG), Trey Thompson (DNP), Peyton McCollum (DNP)

Transfers: Andrew McKeever (four-star from Saint Mary’s), Ty’Reek Coleman (three-star from Illinois State)

Recruits: Ethan Harris (Washington four-star), Jaidyn Coon (Iowa four-star)

At Big Ten Media Days, Ben McCollum said that the best transfers are those that come from within your program, emphasizing that the Hawkeyes’ offseason focus was to retain and develop players already on their roster, rather than bring in a wave of new talent. That is reflected by Iowa’s roster transactions, which were minimal compared to most of the other teams in the contest. Iowa is returning nine players and is bringing in just four new players to replace two graduates and two transfer departures. However, McCollum will have a big task on his hands making up for the playmakers that were lost, most notably All-Big Ten First Team guard Bennett Stirtz, who averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists for the Hawkeyes, and Tavion Banks, the team’s defensive centerpiece.

Maryland Terrapins

No. 4 transfer class and No. 5 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Diggy Coit (graduation), Collin Metcalf (graduation), Solomon Washington (graduation), Darius Adams (four-star to NC State), Jaziah Harper (to North Dakota State), Isaiah Watts (to UTSA), Aleks Alston (three-star to UAB), Nick Blake (to West Virginia Wesleyan), Myles Rice (undecided three-star transfer), Rakease Passmore (undecided transfer), Elijah Saunders** (undecided transfer)

Returners: Pharrel Payne (17.5 PPG), Andre Mills (12.2 PPG), Guillermo Del Pino (1.5 PPG), George Turkson Jr. (1.3 PPG)

Transfers: Bishop Boswell (four-star from Tennessee), DJ Wagner (four-star from Arkansas), Tomislav Buljan (four-star from New Mexico), Robert Jennings (three-star from Oklahoma State), Mike McNair (three-star from Boston), Maban Jabriel (three-star from Queens)

Recruits: Baba Oladotun (Maryland five-star), Kaden House (Arizona four-star), Adama Tambedou (Connecticut four-star), Austin Brown (Texas three-star)

The biggest news for Maryland in the offseason was that star forward Pharrel Payne — who transferred to College Park from Texas A&M last offseason alongside head coach Buzz Williams — was granted a medical waiver and another year of eligibility. With Payne’s 17.5 PPG back, Maryland went to work building out a supporting cast in the portal, inking three four-star transfers and welcoming a top-10 national recruit, 6-foot-10 forward Baba Oladotun, to the training facility. With top-5-ranked recruiting and transfer classes, the Terps are on the rise.

Michigan Wolverines

No. 2 transfer class and No. 2 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Morez Johnson Jr. (NBA), Aday Mara (NBA), Yaxel Lendeborg (graduation), Will Tschetter (graduation), Charlie May (graduation), Nimari Burnett (graduation), L.J. Cason (four-star to UMiami), Malick Kordel (three-star to Minnesota), Winters Grady (three-star to Minnesota)

Returners: Elliot Cadeau (10.1 PPG), Trey McKenney (9.5 PPG), Roddy Gayle Jr.** (7.3 PPG), Oscar Goodman (1.4 PPG), Ricky Liburd (DNP)

Transfers: Moustapha Thiam (four-star from Cincinnati), Jalen Reed (four-star from LSU), J.P. Estrella (four-star from Tennessee), Kenny Noland** (from Columbia)

Recruits: Brandon McCoy Jr. (California five-star), Quinn Costello (Massachusetts four-star), Lincoln Cosby (Florida four-star), Joseph Hartman (Florida four-star), Malachi Brown (Tennessee four-star), Marcus Møller (Spain)

Michigan is back — what else is new? The Wolverines lost almost all their best pieces from their 2025-26 national championship team, including the No. 9, No. 11 and No. 12 overall picks in the NBA Draft in Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara, respectively, and head coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks. However, the Wolverines reloaded, bringing in three four-star transfers, three four-star recruits and Brandon McCoy Jr., 247 Sports’ No. 11 player in the Class of 2026. Additionally, Michigan didn’t lose everybody and has Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and Roddy Gayle Jr. back in Ann Arbor and primed for breakout 2026-27 campaigns.

Michigan State Spartans

No. 17 transfer class and No. 2 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Carson Cooper (graduation), Trey Fort (graduation), Nick Sanders (graduation), Denham Wojcik (graduation), Jaxon Kohler (four-star to BYU**), Divine Ugochukwu (three-star to LSU)

Returners: Jeremy Fears Jr. (15.3 PPG), Coen Carr (12.0 PPG), Kur Teng (7.5 PPG), Jordan Scott (5.9 PPG), Cam Ward (5.2 PPG), Jesse McCulloch (2.4 PPG), Kaleb Glenn (DNP)

Transfers: Anton Bonke (four-star from Charlotte)

Recruits: Jasiah Jervis (New York four-star), Ethan Taylor (Missouri four-star), Carlos Medlock Jr. (Missouri four-star), Julius Avent (New Jersey four-star)

Tom Izzo is still doing it. Though they had some key departures — most notably big men Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler —- the Spartans returned their two best players from last season in National Player of the Year favorite Jeremy Fears Jr. and high-flying forward Coen Carr. With relatively small roster turnover, the Spartans brought in just one transfer — 7-foot-2 Vanuatuan Anton Bonke — but do have four incoming four-star recruits. With a big year on the way for Fears Jr., the Spartans are set to contend like they always have.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

No. 14 transfer class and No. 12 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Maximus Gizzi (graduation), BJ Omot (three-star to CSU Northridge), Robert Vaihola (to San Jose State), Chansey Willis (to Kent State), Langston Reynolds (to Northern Colorado), Nehemiah Turner (to Jacksonville), Chance Stephens (undecided transfer)

Returners: Cade Tyson** (19.6 PPG), Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (13.4 PPG), Isaac Asuma (10.9 PPG), Bobby Durkin (10.2 PPG), Grayson Grove (4.0 PPG), Kai Shinholster (1.8 PPG)

Transfers: Malachi Palmer (three-star from Villanova), Kyan Evans (three-star from North Carolina), Malick Kordel (three-star from Michigan), Winters Grady (three-star from Michigan)

Recruits: Nolen Anderson (Minnesota four-star), Chadrack Mpoyi (California three-star), Cedric Tomes (Minnesota three-star)

Minnesota ended up being one of the biggest benefactors of the 5-for-5 eligibility change, as it is expected to return standout guard Cade Tyson, who averaged 19.6 points on 41.3% three-point shooting during his senior year in Saint Paul. If Tyson is deemed eligible, the Gophers will have four of their five top scorers from last year back on the roster — Tyson, Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma and Bobby Durkin. Though, outside of its returning talent, Minnesota’s offseason was not exceptional, bringing it in just one four-star recruit or transfer in local high school talent Nolen Anderson. With Tyson, expect the Gophers to be a force, but without him another long year might be ahead of Niko Medved’s team.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

No. 9 transfer class and No. 13 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Sam Hoiberg (graduation), Rienk Mast (graduation), Berke Buyuktuncel (four-star to Vanderbilt), Jared Garcia (graduation), Ugnius Jarusevicius (three-star to Arizona), Quentin Rhymes (three-star to Fresno State), Justin Bolis (to Omaha), Kendall Blue** (to St. Thomas), Jamarques Lawrence** (undecided transfer)

Returners: Pryce Sandfort (17.9 PPG), Braden Frager (11.7 PPG), Connor Essegian (5.4 PPG), Cale Jacobsen (4.6 PPG), Leo Curtis (1.6 PPG), Will Cooper (DNP)

Transfers: Sam Orme (four-star from Belmont), Damon Wilkinson (three-star from South Dakota State), Taj DeGourville (three-star from San Diego State), Kadyn Betts (three-star from Montana), Boden Kapke (three-star from Boston College), Trevan Leonhardt (three-star from Utah Valley)

Recruits: Colin Rice (Iowa four-star), Jacob Lanier (Arkansas four-star)

Nebrasketball had a breakthrough season in 2025-26, making the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. Coming off its historic campaign, it did lose four of its five starters — Rienk Mast, Berke Buyuktuncel, Jamarques Lawrence and Sam Hoiberg — meaning that it will have a big challenge to return to what it was last season. However, All-Big Ten First Team standout Pryce Sandfort will be back to lead the Cornhuskers’ comeback campaign, alongside 2025-26 sixth man Braden Frager, incoming four-star transfer Sam Orme (12.7 PPG at Belmont last year) and incoming four-star freshmen Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.

Northwestern Wildcats

No. 13 transfer class and No. 14 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Nick Martinelli (graduation), Justin Mullins (graduation), Gus Hurlburt (graduation), Arrinten Page (four-star to Providence), Tre Singleton (four-star to Iowa State), K.J. Windham (three-star to JMU), Cade Bennerman (three-star to UNC), Max Green (three-star to Charleston), Tyler Kropp (three-star to Washington State), Jayden Reid (three-star to Memphis), Jordan Clayton (three-star to UMass), Blake Smith (to Oral Roberts)

Returners: Angelo Ciaravino (6.3 PPG), Jake West (5.3 PPG), Phoenix Gill (0.5 PPG)

Transfers: Okku Federiko (three-star from Drake), Aleksej Kostic (three-star from BYU), Luke McEldon (three-star from Mount Saint Mary’s), LA Pratt (three-star from Northeastern), Colin Smith (three-star from UCSB), Jack Karasinski (three-star from Bellarmine), Ryan Soulis (from Columbia), Dylan Williams (from Penn)

Recruits: Jaylen Hodge (Florida four-star), Symon Ghai (Florida three-star)

As this site has made clear to its readers, the Wildcats were decimated as much as any other team in the conference by the transfer portal, returning just three of its players and seeing nine transfer departures. Following the chaos of the offseason, the biggest question for the ‘Cats is who will replace Nick Martinelli’s 23.0 PPG from last season, as no player on its roster averaged double-digit points at a Power Five program in 2025-26. Coach Collins did not have as much success as hoped finding scorers in the portal, inking zero four-star transfers. As a result, NU is betting on breakout seasons from former mid-major stars like Jack Karasinski (21.7 PPG at Bellarmine) and LA Pratt (17.0 PPG at Northeastern prior to injury) to be its difference makers.

Ohio State Buckeyes

No. 7 transfer class and No. 7 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Bruce Thornton (graduation), Brandon Noel (graduation), Christoph Tilly (graduation), Mathieu Grujicic (four-star to Radford), Devin Royal (four-star to Villanova), Gabe Cupps (three-star to UIC), Taison Chatman (three-star to Utah), Colin White (three-star to Akron)

Returners: John Mobley Jr. (15.7 PPG), Amare Bynum (9.7 PPG), Ivan Njegovan (2.6 PPG), Myles Herro (DNP), Josh Ojianwuna (DNP)

Transfers: Justin Pippen (four-star from California), Andrija Jelavic (four-star from Kentucky), Jimmie Williams (three-star from Duquesne), Curtis Givens III (three-star from Memphis)

Recruits: Anthony Thompson (Ohio five-star), LJ Smith (Virginia four-star), Vuk Lazarevic (Utah three-star), Alex Smith (Florida three-star), Lee Aaliya (Argentina)

If Buckeye fans can get past the somberness of seeing four-year starter Bruce Thornton, who led the team in scoring with 19.9 PPG last season, graduate, it was an exciting offseason in Columbus. The Buckeyes brought in two four-star transfers and one four-star recruit, along with Anthony Thompson, a lengthy, shot-making five-star forward ranked No. 7 in the Class of 2026. With its second-leading scorer from 2025-26, John Mobley Jr., back to lead its offense, Ohio State could be an NCAA Tournament factor this year.

Oregon Ducks

No. 6 transfer class and No. 11 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Nate Bittle (graduation), Takai Simpkins (graduation), Drew Carter (graduation), Oleksandr Kobzystyi (graduation), Jackson Shelstad (four-star to Louisville), Kwame Evans Jr. (four-star to Villanova), Jamari Phillips (four-star to Washington State), JJ Frakes (three-star to Buffalo), Devon Pryor (three-star to Kansas State), Efe Vatan (to Stony Brook), Ege Demir (to Duquesne)

Returners: Wei Lin (6.6 PPG), Sean Stewart (6.5 PPG)

Transfers: Dwayne Aristode (four-star from Arizona), Taylor Bol Bowen (four-star from Alabama), Jasper Johnson (four-star from Kentucky), Tyrone Riley (four-star from San Francisco), Pharaoh Compton (three-star from San Diego State), Andrew Meadow (three-star from Boise State), Fred Payne (three-star from Boston College), Jerry Easter II (three-star from USC), Malique Ewin (from Arkansas)

Recruits: Tajh Ariza (Missouri four-star), Kendre Harrison (North Carolina four-star), Seven Spurlock (Texas three-star)

A tough offseason got worse for Oregon last week when Dana Altman announced his retirement on Oct. 8. The legendary head coach spent 16 seasons with the Ducks, leading the program to its first-ever Final Four in 2017 and four Pac-12 Tournament titles. Tony Stubblefield was promoted to be the interim head coach in Altman’s absence and he will have a tough coaching job ahead of him with this team that saw its top four scorers from last season depart in the offseason. Though the Ducks’ outlook is not great, they will look to lean on a solid recruiting class that consists of four-stars Tajh Ariza and Kendre Harrison, and their four incoming four-star transfers, most notably Fred Payne, who averaged 15.8 PPG at Boston College in 2025-26.

Penn State Nittany Lions

No. 10 transfer class and No. 16 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Kayden Mingo (four-star to Baylor), Freddie Dilione V (four-star to Georgia), Eli Rice (three-star to Middle Tennessee), Justin Houser (three-star to FGCU), Sasa Ciani (to Sacramento State), Mason Blackwood (to Saint Bonaventure), Dominick Stewart (to Richmond)

Returners: Josh Reed** (11.5 PPG), Ivan Juric (10.2 PPG), Reggie Grodin (DNP)

Transfers: Brant Byers (four-star from Miami (Ohio)), Tim Oboh (three-star from Buffalo), Dasonte Bowen (three-star from Saint Bonaventure), Roberts Blums (three-star from Davidson), Thomas Allard (three-star from Alabama Huntsville), Jay Rodgers (three-star from Central Connecticut)

Recruits: Andy Gemao (Ohio three-star), Aleksandar Zecevic (Spain three-star), Roko Prkacin (Croatia), Francois Wibaut (France)

Penn State finished last in the Big Ten last season and might be on track for the same destination this season after a generally unexciting offseason and the loss of double-digit scorers Freddie Dilione V and Kayden Mingo. The Nittany Lions will be built around returning 7-foot forward Ivan Juric, and hope to get a boost from four-star transfer Brant Byers (14.2 PPG at Miami (Ohio) in 2025-26) and a flurry of incoming international talent. Additionally, Penn State might get a boost if 6-foot-8 forward Josh Reed, who averaged 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds last year, is ruled eligible for another season.

Purdue Boilermakers

No. 18 transfer class and No. 8 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Braden Smith (graduation), Fletcher Loyer (graduation), Trey Kaufman-Renn** (undecided transfer)

Returners: C.J. Cox (8.5 PPG), Daniel Jacobsen (5.8 PPG), Omer Mayer (5.5 PPG), Gicarri Harris (4.6 PPG), Jack Benter (4.4 PPG), Raleigh Burgess (1.9 PPG), Antione West Jr. (DNP)

Transfers: Caden Pierce (three-star from Princeton)

Recruits: Luke Ertel (Indiana four-star), Jacob Webber (Indiana four-star), Sinan Huan (Maryland four-star), Jamyn Sondrup (Utah four-star), Rivers Knight (Indiana three-star)

The Boilermakers had one of the Big Ten’s most quiet offseasons, bringing in just one three-star transfer in Caden Pierce and five first-year recruits. As usual, Purdue will be built around its returning talent, with 6-foot-3 guard C.J. Cox and 7-foot-4 Daniel Jacobsen expected to take big jumps in the upcoming season. However, this team will need production from some of its new faces to be competitive in order to fill the void left behind by the departure of the Big Ten’s best backcourt duo from last year: All-Big Ten First Team guard Braden Smith and three-point sniper Fletcher Loyer. Meanwhile, Purdue is still waiting for a decision in Trey Kaufman-Renn’s eligibility case. If the 2025 All-Big Ten First Team forward is ruled eligible, Matt Painter will likely try to bring him back for another campaign in West Lafayette.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

No. 11 transfer class and No. 18 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Chris Nwuli (three-star to Seton Hall), Dylan Grant (three-star to Charlotte), Bryce Dortch (three-star to Notre Dame), Denis Badalau (to Towson), Baye Fall (to Fresno State), Harun Zrno (to Washington), Dorian Jones (to Kent State), Emmanuel Ogbole (undecided transfer)

Returners: Tariq Francis (17.0 PPG), Darren Buchanan Jr. (8.1 PPG), Jamichael Davis (7.5 PPG), Kaden Powers (6.1 PPG), Lino Mark (5.9 PPG), Gevonte Ware (0.3 PPG)

Transfers: Christian Gurdak (four-star from Virginia Tech), Darin Smith Jr. (three-star from Central Connecticut State), Dorin Buca (three-star from Kansas State), RaSheed Jones (three-star from Coastal Carolina), Lewis Duarte (from New Mexico State), Will Snydor (from Manhattan)

Recruits: Imahri Wooten (New York three-star), Diego Garavaglia (Italy), Mervedi Miteo (Congo), Martin Tonejc (Slovenia)

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell managed to bring back his best player, Tariq Francis, for another season in a scarlet uniform, but struggled to build out the roster around him for a second straight season. The Scarlet Knights are hoping for a breakout campaign from four-star center Christian Gurdak, who averaged 5.6 PPG at Virginia Tech last year, or Darin Smith Jr., who averaged an impressive 20.7 PPG at Central Connecticut State. Rutgers has been to the NCAA Tournament just two times since 1991, making appearances in 2021 and 2022, and looks set to face another uphill climb to make the field this season.

UCLA Bruins

No. 5 transfer class and No. 3 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Tyler Bilodeau (graduation), Jamar Brown (graduation), Steven Jamerson II (graduation), Evan Manjikian (graduation), Anthony Peoples Jr. (graduation), Jack Seidler (graduation), Donovan Dent (four-star to LSU), Skyy Clark (four-star to LSU)

Returners: Trent Perry (12.6 PPG), Eric Dailey (11.6 PPG), Xavier Booker (7.3 PPG), Brandon Williams (2.6 PPG), Eric Feeney (2.0 PPG), Markell Alston (DNP)

Transfers: Filip Jovic (four-star from Auburn), Jaylen Petty (four-star from Texas Tech), Sergej Macura (three-star from Mississippi State), Azavier Robinson (three-star from Butler)

Recruits: Nikola Kusturica (Spain five-star), Joe Philon (Florida four-star), Gunars Grinvalds (Latvia four-star), Javonte Floyd (California three-star),

UCLA lost a lot of talent, but Mick Cronin made quick work of rebuilding. The Bruins saw the departure of three double-digit scorers from their roster, with Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark both making their way to LSU. Cronin was unfazed, however, and successfully brought in top-5-ranked Big Ten transfer and recruiting classes, highlighted by 6-foot-8, four-star Auburn transfer Filip Jovic and Big Ten Freshman of the Year contender Nikola Kusturica, the 2025 FIBA U16 EuroBasket MVP. With Jovic, Kusturica and returners Trent Perry and Eric Dailey, the Bruins project to be at the top of the conference this season.

USC Trojans

No. 3 transfer class and No. 1 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Chad Baker-Mazara (graduation), Ezra Ausar (graduation), Kam Woods (graduation), Jaden Brownell (graduation), Ryan Cornish (graduation), Gabe Dynes (three-star to Louisville), Jordan Marsh (three-star to Temple), Jerry Easter II (three-star to Oregon), Amarion Dickerson (to Grand Canyon), EJ Neal Jr. (undecided transfer)

Returners: Rodney Rice (20.3 PPG), Alijah Arenas (14.1 PPG), Jacob Cofie (9.9 PPG)

Transfers: KJ Lewis (four-star from Georgetown), Eric Reibe (four-star from UConn), Jalen Cox (three-star from Colgate), Jadis Jones (three-star from Lindenwood), Isaac Bruns (three-star from South Dakota), Joshua Hughes (three-star from Evansville)

Recruits: Christian Collins (California five-star), Adonis Ratliff (New York four-star), Darius Ratliff (New York four-star), Onyeka Joe Agu (Belgium)

A lot of people are excited about USC’s outlook for the upcoming season, and it’s for good reason. USC finished 18-14 last year despite being without its best players — Rodney Rice and Alijah Arenas — for most of the season. This year, Rice (20.3 PPG in six games) and Arenas (14.1 PPG in 14 games) are back, while the Trojans had arguably the best offseason in the Big Ten, inking two four-star transfers, two four-star recruits and Christian Collins, 247 Sports’ No. 10-ranked player in the Class of 2026. If Eric Musselman can find a way to put the pieces together, the Trojans could be extremely dangerous.

Washington Huskies

No. 8 transfer class and No. 17 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Hannes Steinbach (NBA Draft), Quimari Peterson (graduation), Jacob Ognacevic (graduation), Desmond Claude (graduation), Franck Kepnang (four-star to Kentucky), Zoom Diallo (four-star to Kentucky), JJ Mandaquit (four-star to Arizona), Courtland Muldrew (three-star to Georgia Tech), Christian Nitu (three-star to McNeese)

Returners: Wesley Yates III (12.7 PPG), Lathan Sommerville (4.3 PPG), Jasir Rencher (3.0 PPG), Nikola Dzepina (2.6 PPG), Mady Traore (DNP)

Transfers: LeJuan Watts (four-star from Texas Tech), Ryan Beasley (four-star from San Francisco), Parker Friedrichsen (three-star from Davidson), Steele Venters (three-star from Gonzaga), Harun Zrno (from Rutgers), Tayshawn Comer** (from Nevada)

Recruits: Lattimore Ford (North Carolina three-star), Wini Braga (Brazil), Tristan Devers (Australia), Boris Tišma (Croatia)

Washington lost its top three scorers from last year in the offseason, as standout German forward Hannes Steinbach was selected in the NBA Draft, Desmond Claude graduated and Zoom Diallo transferred to Kentucky. As a result, the Huskies were left with one core piece — Wesley Yates III (12.7 PPG in 2025-26) — and underwent a transfer portal rebuild, bringing in two four-stars and two three-stars. With a roster that has very little standout talent on paper, head coach Danny Sprinkle has a challenge ahead of him to mold this team into a formidable Big Ten contender.

Wisconsin Badgers

No. 12 transfer class and No. 10 incoming class in the Big Ten, per 247 Sports.

Departures: Braeden Carrington (graduation), Nick Boyd (graduation), Isaac Gard (graduation), John Blackwell (five-star to Duke), Aleksas Bieliauskas (four-star to South Carolina), Jack Robison (three-star to North Dakota State), Riccardo Greppi (to Sam Houston), Andrew Rohde** (undecided transfer)

Returners: Nolan Winter (13.1 PPG), Austin Rapp (9.7 PPG), Jack Janicki (2.2 PPG), Hayden Jones (1.7 PPG), Zach Kinziger (1.3 PPG), Will Garlock (1.1 PPG)

Transfers: Eian Elmer (three-star from Miami OH), Victory Onuetu (three-star from Hofstra), Trey Autry (three-star from George Washington)

Recruits: Owen Foxwell (Australia three-star), Isaac Riddle (Australia three-star), LaTrevion Henderson (Wisconsin three-star), Jackson Ball (New Zealand three-star), Josh Manchester (Wisconsin)

The legendary Badger backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell is no more in Madison, with Boyd graduating and Blackwell parting ways for Duke. Head coach Greg Gard’s program now rests in the hands of 7-foot senior forward Nolan Winter, who averaged 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Badgers last year. Supporting Winter will be some incoming three-stars, including Eian Elmer (12.7 PPG at Miami OH in 2025-26) and potentially two incoming international recruits, Owen Foxwell and Jackson Ball. Wisconsin may take a step back this coming season, but never count out Gard’s ability to produce offensive firepower.