The Big Ten is chock-full of talent after the NBA Draft entry decision deadline

The 2020 NBA Draft entry decision deadline of Aug. 3 has passed and the Big Ten saw plenty of talent return to school, while some elected to go to the next level.

Here is how every Big Ten team looks going forward.

Illinois Fighting Illini

2019-20: 21-10, 13-7 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Ayo Dosunmu, G, 16.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Kofi Cockburn, F, 13.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Trent Frazier, G, 9.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.9 apg
• Giorgi Bezhanishvili, F, 6.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.6 apg

Key Departures:

• Andres Feliz (Eligibility)
• Kipper Nichols (Eligibility)
• Alan Griffin (transferred to Syracuse)
• Tevian Jones (transferred to Southern Utah)

Incoming:

• Austin Hutcherson, G (sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules from Wesleyan)
• Jacob Grandison, G/F (sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules from Holy Cross)
• Adam Miller, G (4-star freshman)
• Andre Curbelo, G (4-star freshman)
• Coleman Hawkins, F (3-star freshman)
• Brandon Lieb, C (3-star freshman)

The return of Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn gives head coach Brad Underwood one of the best squads Illinois has seen in years. Dosunmu was listed in mock drafts anywhere from the second round to going undrafted, and with the desire of contending for a Final Four, the All-Big Ten guard elected to come back to Champaign.

Underwood now returns his two most talented players and all five starters from last season, along with two transfers and a top 20 recruiting class. The Fighting Illini finished one game out of the top spot in the conference last season and have a legit shot at winning the conference and making a deep NCAA Tournament run in 2020-21.

Indiana Hoosiers

2019-20: 20-12, 9-11 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, 13.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 apg
• Al Durham, G, 9.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg
• Rob Phinisee, G, 7.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.4 apg
• Joey Brunk, F, 6.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg

Key Departures:

• Devonte Green (Eligibility)
• De’Ron Davis (Eligibility)
• Damezi Anderson (transferred to Loyola of Chicago)
• Justin Smith (transferred to Arkansas)

Incoming:

• Khristian Lander, G (5-star freshman, reclassified from 2021)
• Jordan Geronimo, F (4-star freshman)
• Anthony Leal, G (3-star freshman)
• Trey Galloway, G (3-star freshman)

Indiana suffered 12 losses in 2019-20, 11 of which came against Big Ten opponents. Archie Miller is heading into his fourth season at the helm of the Hoosiers and has some much needed talent returning, along with a top 20 recruiting class in the nation arriving.

NBA talent Trayce Jackson-Davis — who was one of the best freshman in the country last season — did not even test the draft waters this year and elected to come back for his sophomore season. The return of Jackson-Davis and starters Al Durham, Rob Phinisee and Joey Brunk, accompanied by five-star point guard Khristian Lander and the rest of the recruiting class is certainly a big haul for Miller’s roster in 2020-21.

Iowa Hawkeyes

2019-20: 20-11, 11-9 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Luka Garza, F, 23.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.2 apg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Joe Wieskamp, G, 14.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 apg
• CJ Fredrick, G, 10.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.8 apg
• Jordan Bohannon, G, 8.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.3 apg
• Joe Toussaint, G, 6.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.9 apg
• Connor McCaffery, G, 6.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg
• Jack Nunge, F, 6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg

Key Departures:

• Ryan Kreiner (Eligibility)
• Bakari Evelyn (Eligibility)
• Cordell Pemsl (transferred to Virginia Tech)

Incoming:

• Ahron Ulis, G (3-star freshman)
• Tony Perkins, G (3-star freshman)
• Kris Murray, F (3-star freshman)
• Keegan Murray, F (3-star freshman)
• Josh Ogundele, C (3-star freshman)

The Hawkeyes anxiously awaited the decision of Luka Garza to remain in the 2020 NBA Draft or withdraw and return to Iowa for his senior season. The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year elected to return to Iowa City, putting Fran McCaffery’s team into the national title conversation.

Garza had a historic season as a junior in 2019-20 and was the National Player of the Year runner-up behind Dayton’s Obi Toppin. Yet, most mock drafts had Garza outside of the top 60, leaving the All-American with a tough decision. Joe Wieskamp not electing to test the draft waters and Jordan Bohannon heading into his final year of eligibility gives the Hawkeyes the best team in all four years for Garza.

With that said, Iowa is expected to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten and has a shot to even compete as a Final Four contender with one of the highest ceilings of any team in the country.

Maryland Terrapins

2019-20: 24-7, 14-6 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Aaron Wiggins, G, 10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.4 apg
• Darryl Morsell, G, 8.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 apg
• Eric Ayala, G, 8.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.5 apg
• Donta Scott, F, 5.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
• Chol Marial, C, 5-of-10 shooting, 1.6 rpg

Key Departures:

• Jalen Smith (NBA Draft)
• Anthony Cowan Jr. (Eligibility)
• Ricky Lindo Jr. (transferred to George Washington)
• Serrel Smith Jr. (transferred to East Tennessee State)
• Joshua Tomaic (transferred to San Diego State)
• Makhi Mitchell (transferred to Rhode Island)
• Makhel Mitchell (transferred to Rhode Island)

Incoming:

• Galin Smith, F (graduate transfer from Alabama, immediately eligible)
• Jairus Hamilton, F (transfer from Boston College)
• Marcus Dockery, G (3-star freshman)
• Aquan Smart, G (3-star freshman)
• Arnaud Revaz, F (International freshman)

After winning a share of the Big Ten title in 2019-20, head coach Mark Turgeon’s squad is losing its top two pieces in Anthony Cowan Jr. to graduation and Jalen Smith to the NBA Draft.

It was a tough offseason for Maryland as several players elected to transfer from the program and it missed out on several top recruits and transfer targets. The Terps are returning just four players that have starting experience in Darryl Morsell, Aaron Wiggins, Eric Ayala and Donta Scott.

It will likely be an uphill battle for the Terps in 2020-21, especially given the talent that is returning to several other schools in the conference.

Michigan Wolverines

2019-20: 19-12, 10-10 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Isaiah Livers, F, 12.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.1 apg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Franz Wagner, G, 11.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.0 apg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Eli Brooks, G, 10.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg
• Brandon Johns Jr., F, 6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg

Key Departures:

• Zavier Simpson, G (Eligibility)
• Jon Teske, F (Eligibility)
• David DeJulius, G (transferred to Cincinnati)
• Colin Castleton, C (transferred to Florida)
• Cole Bajema, F (transferred to Washington)

Incoming:

• Mike Smith, G, (graduate transfer from Columbia, immediately eligible)
• Chaundee Brown, G (transfer from Wake Forest, waiver pending)
• Hunter Dickinson, C (4-star freshman)
• Zeb Jackson, G (4-star freshman)
• Terrance Williams, F (4-star freshman)
• Jace Howard, F (3-star freshman)

Despite losing one of its top players in Zavier Simpson to graduation, Michigan returns a haul of talent with Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner both withdrawing from the NBA Draft.

In addition to the returners, head coach Juwan Howard hurled in the top recruiting class in the Big Ten and a top 15 class nationally, along with two transfers. Mike Smith is immediately eligible and Chaundee Brown is still awaiting the results of his requested waiver.

Though the Wolverines are losing their long time guard in Simpson, the talent returning to and entering Ann Arbor is impressive. Add the talented incoming freshmen and the Wolverines should see improvement from last season.

Michigan State Spartans

2019-20: 22-9, 14-6 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Aaron Henry, F, 10.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.9 apg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Josh Langford, G, Missed 2019-20 with injury
• Joey Hasuer, F, 9.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.4 apg
• Rocket Watts, G, 9.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg
• Gabe Brown, F, 6.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg

Key Departures:

• Xavier Tillman, F (NBA Draft)
• Cassius Winston, G (Eligibility)
• Kyle Aherns, G (Eligibility)

Incoming:

• Mady Sissoko, C, (4-star freshman)
• AJ Hoggard, G, (4-star freshman)

Michigan State is in a similar situation to Maryland in that it is losing its four-year guard, Cassius Winston, to graduation and its top forward, Xavier Tillman, to the NBA Draft.

These are two tough losses for head coach Tom Izzo’s squad, but Aaron Henry decided to withdraw from the draft and the Spartans are welcoming two four-star recruits to East Lansing — big man Mady Sissoko and guard AJ Hoggard, who will look to take the places of Tillman and Winston.

After winning a share of the Big Ten title in 2019-20, the Spartans will look to get right back into the cream of the crop of the conference standings with several players returning, not to mention the always consistent coaching of Izzo.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

2019-20: 15-16, 8-12 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Marcus Carr, G, 15.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.7 apg (withdrew from NBA Draft)
• Gabe Kalscheur, G, 11.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.5 apg
• Isaiah Ihnen, F, 3.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg

Key Departures:

• Daniel Oturu, F (NBA Draft)
• Alihan Demir, F (Eligibility)
• Michael Hurt, F (Eligibility)
• Payton Willis, G (transfer to Charleston)

Incoming:

• Liam Robbins, C, (transfer from Drake, waiver pending)
• Brandon Johnson, F, (graduate transfer from Western Michigan, immediately eligible)
• Both Gach, G, (transfer from Utah, waiver pending)
• Jamal Mashburn, Jr., G (3-star freshman)
• Martice Mitchell, F (3-star freshman)
• David Mutaf, G (Turkey) (3-star freshman)

As head coach Richard Pitino enters his eighth season at the helm of the Golden Gophers, this season is one of the most important of his career.

With potential lottery pick Daniel Oturu off to the NBA Draft, Minnesota picked up some much needed transfers and was given the return of Marcus Carr, who withdrew from the draft.

Oturu was far and away the best player for Pitino’s squad last season and it’ll be tough to replace a talent like that. If the Gophers finish towards the bottom of the conference, Pitino could find his time in Minneapolis come to an end.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

2019-20: 7-25, 2-18 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Thorir Thorbjranarson, G, 8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 apg
• Yvan Ouedraogo, F, 5.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg

Key Departures:

• Haanif Cheatham, G (Eligibility)
• Matej Kavas, G (Eligibility)
• Dachon Burke Jr., G (transferred to South Alabama)
• Cam Mack, G (withdrew from NBA Draft and will transfer)
• Jervay Green, G (transferred to Pacific)
• Kevin Cross, F (transferred to Tulane)
• Samari Curtis, G, 1.8 ppg

Incoming:

• Kobe Webster, G (transfer from Western Illinois, immediately eligible)
• Trey McGowens, G (transfer from Pittsburgh, sitting out due to transfer rules)
• Trevor Lakes, F (D-II transfer, sitting out due to transfer rules)
• Teddy Allen, G (3-star JUCO recruit)
• Lat Mayen, F (3-star JUCO recruit)
• Elijah Wood, G (3-star freshman)
• Eduardo Andre, C (3-star freshman)

Head coach Fred Hoiberg will have yet another below average roster in Lincoln this upcoming season.

After Dachon Burke Jr. and Cam Mack averaged about 24.0 points combined last season, they both elected to transfer from Nebraska after a last place finish in the Big Ten. Nebraska is losing much of its talent and its roster will see plenty of new faces in 2020-21 as the Cornhuskers look compete at the bottom of the pack.

Northwestern Wildcats

2019-20: 8-23, 3-17 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Miller Kopp, F, 13.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.2 apg
• Boo Buie, G, 10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.4 apg
• Ryan Young, C, 9.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.5 apg
• Pete Nance, F, 8.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 apg

Key Departures:

• AJ Turner, F (Eligibility)
• Pat Spencer, G (Eligibility)
• Jared Jones, F (transferred to Middle Tennessee)
• Tino Malnati, G (transfer portal)

Incoming:

• Ty Berry, G (3-star freshman)
• Matt Nicholson, C (3-star freshman)

Northwestern head coach Chris Collins is returning a nice core with Miller Kopp leading the way after he averaged 13.1 points per game in 2019-20. Boo Buie showed a lot of potential at the point guard position last season too.

The Wildcats finished in 13th in the conference last season with just three Big Ten wins and while their talent remains promising in 2020-21, they are likely not there yet in terms of competing in the Big Ten.

Ohio State Buckeyes

2019-20: 21-10, 11-9 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Duane Washington, G, 11.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.4 apg
• CJ Walker, G, 8.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.5 apg
• Kyle Young, F, 7.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg
• E.J. Liddell, F, 6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg

Key Departures:

• Kaleb Wesson, F (NBA Draft)
• Andre Wesson, F (Eligibility)
• D.J. Carton, G (transferred to Marquette)
• Luther Mohammed, G (transferred to Arizona State)
• Alonzo Gaffney, F (looking to play professional basketball)

Incoming:

• Seth Towns, F (graduate transfer from Harvard, immediately eligible)
• Jimmy Sotos, G (transfer from Bucknell, waiver pending)
• Abel Porter, G (graduate transfer from Utah State, immediately eligible)
• Eugene Brown, G (3-star freshman)
• Zed Key, F (3-star freshman)

Head coach Chris Holtmann and the Buckeyes are experiencing some tough losses in 2020-21. Kaleb Wesson is off to the league, his brother Andre Wesson graduated and D.J. Carton and Luther Muhammad transferred from the program.

Both Wessons, Carton and Muhammad played significant minutes for Ohio State last season leading the team to an 11-9 conference record. The losses that Holtmann’s squad has this season might outweigh the huge addition of Harvard graduate transfer Seth Towns.

Penn State Nittany Lions

2019-20: 21-10, 11-9 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Myreon Jones, G, 13.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.0 apg
• Myles Dread, G, 8.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.2 apg
• Izaiah Brockington, G, 8.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Key Departures:

• Lamar Stevens, F (Eligibility)
• Mike Watkins, F (Eligibility)
• Curtis Jones, G (Eligibility)

Incoming:

• Sam Sessoms, G (transfer from Binghamton, sitting out due to transfer rules)
• Valdir Manuel, C (3-star JUCO recruit)
• Dallion Johnson, G (3-star freshman)
• DJ Gordon, G (3-star freshman)
• Caleb Dorsey, F (3-star freshman)

Losing Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins will not be easy for head coach Pat Chambers’ squad. Stevens finished his career fifth on the Penn State all-time scoring list and will be very tough to replace, as he averaged nearly 18 points per game last season.

Stevens and Watkins were at the forefront of Penn State’s success in 2019-20, and without the duo the Nittany Lions will look to Myreon Jones and Myles Dread to lead the way for what will likely be a team in the middle of the pack or below in the Big Ten.

Purdue Boilermakers

2019-20: 16-15, 9-11 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Trevion Williams, F, 11.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.5 apg
• Eric Hunter Jr., G, 10.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg
• Sasha Stefanovic, G. 9.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.7 apg

Key Departures:

• Jahaad Proctor, G (Eligibility)
• Evan Boudreaux, F (Eligibility)
• Matt Haarms, C (transferred to BYU)
• Nojel Eastern, G (transferred to Howard)

Incoming:

• Brandon Newman (Redshirted 2019-20)
• Mason Gillis (Redshirted 2019-20)
• Jaden Ivey, G (4-star freshman)
• Ethan Morton, G (4-star freshman)
• Zach Edey, C (3-star freshman)

Throughout his tenure at Purdue, head coach Matt Painter tends to impress with any roster he is given, though with the departures of Matt Haarms and Nojel Eastern, the Boilermakers find themselves in a tough spot.

Painter stated that Haarms’ decision to transfer came as a surprise to the staff and Eastern was arguably one of the Big Ten’s top defenders last season. Beyond Trevion Williams, who is a future NBA talent, Purdue’s roster is a bit shallow in 2020-21, though it has a couple of four-star recruits to look forward to in Jaden Ivey and Ethan Morton.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2019-20: 20-11, 11-9 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Ron Harper Jr., G, 12.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg
• Geo Baker, G, 10.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
• Jacob Young, G, 8.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.9 apg
• Myles Johnson, C, 7.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg

Key Departures:

• Akwasi Yeboah, F (Eligibility)
• Shaq Carter, C (Eligibility)
• Peter Kiss, G (transferred to Bryant)

Incoming:

• Cliff Omoruyi, F (4-star freshman)
• Mawot Mag, F (3-star freshman)
• Dean Reiber, F (3-star freshman)
• Oskar Palmquist, F (3-star freshman)

Rutgers was one of the biggest surprise teams in the Big Ten in 2019-20 and head coach Steve Pikiell returns most of last year’s roster. With no one off to the NBA and just three players departing, the Scarlet Knights return nearly all of their starters from last year.

This is a promising group for Rutgers that will go along with four-star incoming freshman Cliff Omoruyi and three three-star incoming freshmen.

Rutgers won 11 conference games last season, and with plenty of talent returning, the Scarlet Knights could surprise the Big Ten again in 2020-21.

Wisconsin Badgers

2019-20: 21-10, 14-6 Big Ten

Top Returning:

• Nate Reuvers, F, 13.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg
• Micah Potter, F, 10.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg
• Brad Davison, G, 9.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 apg
• D’Mitrik Trice, G, 9.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg
• Aleem Ford, F, 8.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg

Key Departures:

• Brevin Pritzl, G (Eligibility)
• Kobe King, G (transferred to Nebraska, decommitted and reopened transfer process)

Incoming:

• Ben Carlson, F (4-star freshman)
• Johnny Davis, G (3-star freshman)
• Lorne Bowman, G (3-star freshman)
• Steven Crowl, C (3-star freshman)
• Jordan Davis, F (3-star freshman)

The Badgers are returning nearly every player from their 2019-20 co-Big Ten champion roster. Wisconsin is only losing sharpshooter Brevin Pritzl from its rotation.

This is a team that took home a share of the Big Ten title last season and is a heavy favorite to compete at the top of the conference in 2020-21 with Illinois and Iowa.

Head coach Greg Gard brings in a five player recruiting class, but none of the freshman will likely play a large role this season with the talent and experience that is returning to Madison. The Badgers will likely compete for another Big Ten title and depending on how they play could earn them a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.