Big Ten Preseason Rankings & Preview: National Preseason #1 Purdue Headlines Deep Field
By Rob Reinhart
The 2025–26 Big Ten basketball season promises to be one of the most unpredictable and competitive in recent memory. With the league now expanded to 18 teams — welcoming UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington — the balance of power has shifted westward, but the traditional Midwestern powers still stand tall. At the top of the preseason projections, Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois appear poised to continue the conference’s dominance on the national stage.
2025–26 Big Ten — Projected Standings & NCAA Outlook
Full 18-team Big Ten outlook for the 2025–26 season, featuring powerhouse contenders and new-look rosters across the league.
| Rank | Team | Conf. Record | Projected Seed | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue | 17–3 | #1 Seed | Lock | Elite offense and veteran leadership anchor another Big Ten title run. |
| 2 | Michigan State | 15–5 | #3 Seed | Lock | Tom Izzo’s experienced core returns — balanced, tough, tournament-ready. |
| 3 | Illinois | 14–6 | #4 Seed | Lock | Athleticism and depth make Illinois a serious Final Four dark horse. |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 13–7 | #6 Seed | Lock | Disciplined defense and efficient offense keep the Badgers in contention. |
| 5 | Ohio State | 12–8 | #8 Seed | Likely Lock | Young core ready to break through after solid non-conference showing. |
| 6 | Indiana | 11–9 | #10 Seed | Bubble – In | High-upside roster but must improve consistency on the road. |
| 7 | Maryland | 10–10 | #11 Seed (Play-In) | Bubble – Out/In | Talented wings and guards; defense could swing postseason fate. |
| 8 | Iowa | 10–10 | NIT 1-seed | Long-shot Bubble | Offense remains strong, but defensive issues hold them back. |
| 9 | Northwestern | 9–11 | NIT 2-seed | Outside Bubble | Smart, experienced team that will fight for every win. |
| 10 | Nebraska | 9–11 | NIT 3-seed | Outside Bubble | Program momentum is real — offense trending upward. |
| 11 | Rutgers | 8–12 | — | Rebuilding | Defensive grit intact, but scoring remains a challenge. |
| 12 | UCLA | 8–12 | — | Rebuilding | Big Ten transition continues; youth and travel fatigue factor in. |
| 13 | Oregon | 7–13 | — | Outside Bubble | Talented but inconsistent; needs chemistry and defense. |
| 14 | Michigan | 6–14 | — | Bottom Tier | Roster overhaul in progress under new leadership. |
| 15 | Minnesota | 6–14 | — | Bottom Tier | Developing young frontcourt; patience required. |
| 16 | Penn State | 5–15 | — | Bottom Tier | Energetic squad but lacking Big Ten-level size and depth. |
| 17 | USC | 5–15 | — | Bottom Tier | Talent turnover and travel grind weigh heavily on results. |
| 18 | Washington | 4–16 | — | Bottom Tier | New coaching staff building foundation; competitiveness a work in progress. |
Note: The expanded 18-team Big Ten introduces West Coast travel with UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington joining the mix. Purdue, Michigan State, and Illinois headline a deep, competitive field.
Championship Contenders
Once again, Purdue opens the season as the Big Ten favorite. The Boilermakers return a core of seasoned veterans and one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. Matt Painter’s program has become a model of consistency, blending inside-out play with elite spacing. Their biggest question isn’t in the conference — it’s whether they can finally break through in March.
Michigan State sits close behind, as Tom Izzo brings back a balanced and experienced roster hungry to return to the Final Four. Leadership, guard depth, and physicality define this Spartan team. Illinois rounds out the top tier with its trademark athleticism and versatility, looking every bit like a dark-horse national contender. Each of these three programs has the talent to win the Big Ten and earn a top-four NCAA Tournament seed.
Tournament Locks
Behind the heavyweights, a strong middle class defines the Big Ten’s depth. Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Indiana all project as tournament teams, though each faces questions about consistency. The Badgers’ disciplined system and slow tempo remain a tough matchup for anyone, while Ohio State’s young core has the athletic upside to challenge the league’s elite. Indiana, though talented, must learn to win close games on the road to take the next step.
Maryland and Iowa represent the conference’s bubble battlers. The Terrapins’ talented wings and defensive versatility could push them into March Madness, while Iowa’s potent offense keeps them dangerous despite ongoing defensive concerns. Programs like Northwestern and Nebraska linger just outside the bubble, competitive and scrappy but short on top-end firepower.
Bubble Watch
The bottom half of the league features several programs in transition. UCLA and Oregon bring West Coast flair but will need to adapt to the Big Ten’s physical style and brutal travel schedule. Both have talent but lack the cohesion to contend immediately. Rutgers, Michigan, and Minnesota are retooling, focusing on development and depth after roster turnover.
Rebuild Zone
Penn State, USC, and Washington round out the standings. Each program faces unique challenges — from new coaching staffs to cross-country logistics — as they attempt to build competitive foundations in the nation’s most rugged basketball league.