Illinois Basketball: Andy Katz places Illini in top tier

Andy Katz has always been high on Illinois Basketball. However, with a new-look Big Ten entering the 2024 to 2025 season, there is certainly intrigue about how four West Coast schools fit into the fold. USC, Oregon, UCLA, and Washington will all add a level of intrigue to the Big Ten and it truly is difficult to project where they fit in. Katz speculated on a mid-summer power ranking and divided the eighteen schools into four tiers. In the first tier, Katz included Illinois, Purdue, and Indiana as part of the frontrunners. 

For the most part, many have Indiana and Purdue as the two top teams of the conference heading into the season. The Hoosiers have had an impressive transfer portal haul and return talented players such as Malik Raneau and Mackenzie Mgbako. Purdue lost their superstar in Zach Edey, however, return an experienced backcourt in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. Additionally, many give the Boilermakers the benefit of the doubt given Matt Painter’s history as a top-flight coach.

𝐌𝐢𝐝-𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 📈@TheAndyKatz puts 18 #B1GMBBall teams into 4️⃣ tiers for 2024-25. Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/06Lczy67H2

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) July 17, 2024

Unproven talent

Illinois Basketball will have the most talented roster in the Big Ten. For starters, their projected starting backcourt has two projected NBA draft picks. They also bring in two highly touted freshmen, one of which is also a projected 2025 NBA draft pick. The only knock is the lack of proven production at the Big Ten level. The Illini have two returnees on the roster, however, both seem to be showing signs of taking the next step in their game. If Ty Rodgers and Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn can supplement the incoming talent, look for Illinois basketball to remain at the top of the Big Ten.

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