2024–25 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season explained

Color:
  1. 0088ce
Color Text:
  1. FFFFFF
2024–25 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season
Pixels:150
League:NCAA Division I
Sport:Basketball
Prevseason Year:2023–24
No Of Teams:18
Tv:Big Ten Network, Fox, FS1, CBS, Peacock
Season:2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
Season Champ Name:Regular season champions
League Champ Name:Tournament Champion
Mvp Link:Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Finals Link:2025 Big Ten men's basketball tournament
Finals:Tournament
Finals Mvp Link:Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament#Results by year
Seasonslistnames:Basketball
Nextseason Year:2025–26

The 2024–25 Big Ten men's basketball season is the current season for the Big Ten Conference basketball teams that began with practices in October 2024, followed by the start of the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November 2024. The regular season will end in March of 2025.

The season is the conference's first with 18 teams as four schools, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington, joined the conference in 2024.[1] The conference announced that all teams will play 20 regular season conference games with each school playing seven opponents only at home and seven others only on the road.[2] Each team will play a home-and-home with three opposing schools.[3] However, only 15 of the 18 teams will qualify for the Big Ten tournament.[4]

Head coaches

Coaching changes

Michigan

On March 15, 2024, Michigan fired head coach Juwan Howard after finishing the 2023–24 season with an 8–24 record.[5] On March 24, the school named Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May the team's new head coach.[6]

Ohio State

On February 15, Ohio State fired Chris Holtmann.[7] The school named associate head coach Jake Diebler the team's interim head coach.[8] Following the completion of the Big Ten Tournament, the school named Diebler the team's new head coach after finishing the season with a 6–2 record as interim coach.[9]

USC

On April 1, USC head coach Andy Enfield left the school to take the head coaching position at SMU.[10] On April 4, the school named Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman the team's new head coach.[11]

Washington

On March 8, Washington fired head coach Mike Hopkins after seven seasons.[12] On March 25, the school named Utah State head coach Danny Sprinkle the team's new head coach.[13]

Coaches

TeamHead coachPrevious jobYears at schoolOverall recordBig Ten recordBig Ten titlesBig Ten tournament titlesNCAA TournamentsNCAA Final FoursNCAA Championships
IllinoisOklahoma State812400
IndianaMike Woodson400200
style= IowaFran McCafferySiena1501700
style= Maryland200100
style= MichiganDusty MayFlorida Atlantic100000
Michigan StateTom Izzo301062681
style= MinnesotaBen JohnsonXavier (Asst.)400000
NebraskaFred HoibergChicago Bulls600100
NorthwesternChris Collins1200300
Ohio StateJake Diebler200000
OregonDana AltmanCreighton1500810
Penn StateMike RhoadesVCU200000
style= PurdueMatt Painter20521410
RutgersSteve PikiellStony Brook900200
UCLAMick CroninCincinnati600310
USCEric MusselmanArkansas100000
WashingtonDanny SprinkleUtah State100000
WisconsinGreg Gard1020600
Notes:

Preseason

Preseason Big Ten poll

The Big Ten Media poll was released on October 2, 2024.[14]

RankTeam
1Purdue
2Indiana
3UCLA
4Illinois
5Michigan State
6Oregon
7Rutgers
8Ohio State
9Michigan
10Maryland
11Iowa
12Nebraska
Wisconsin
14USC
15Washington
16Northwestern
17Penn State
18Minnesota

Preseason All-Big Ten

A select media panel named a preseason All-Big Ten team and player of the year.[15]

HonorRecipient
Preseason Player of the YearBraden Smith, Purdue
Preseason All-Big Ten TeamOumar Ballo, Indiana
Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
Braden Smith, Purdue
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Great Osobor, Washington

Preseason All-American teams

PlayerAP[16]
9т
13т

Preseason national polls

AP[17] Blue Ribbon
Yearbook[18] 		CBS Sports[19] Coaches[20] ESPN[21] FOX Sports[22] Lindy's
Sports[23] 		Sporting News[24] Sports Illustrated[25]
Illinois 17 24 25 21 22 21
style=Indiana 17 14 18 18 18 16 15 18 26
style=Iowa 40
style=Maryland 43
style=Michigan 41
style=Michigan State 26 36
style=Minnesota 84
style=Nebraska 63
style= Northwestern 54
style=Ohio State 15 22 34
style=Oregon 30 29
style=Penn State 61
style=Purdue 14 22 12 13 16 14 17 6 14
style=Rutgers 25 23 25 35 25 32
style=UCLA 22 19 22 24 17 19 17 30
style=USC 37 48
style=Washington 33 65
style=Wisconsin 68

Preseason watchlists

Below is a table of notable midseason watch lists.

PlayerWooden[26] Naismith[27] Naismith DPOY RobertsonCousy[28] West[29] Erving [30] Malone[31] Abdul-Jabbar [32]
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
Oumar Ballo, Indiana
Frankie Fidler, Michigan State
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Meechie Johnson Jr., Ohio State
William Kyle III, UCLA
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana
Great Osobor, Washington
Derik Queen, Maryland
Julian Reese, Maryland
Malik Reneau, Indiana
Myles Rice, Indiana
Will Riley, Illinois
Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Braden Smith, Purdue
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State

Regular season

Rankings

See also: 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings.

Legend
  Improvement in ranking
 Drop in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
align=center style="width:20px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background:white;" RVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
(Italics)Number of first place votes
  Pre/
Wk 1 		Wk
2 		Wk
3 		Wk
4 		Wk
5 		Wk
6 		Wk
7 		Wk
8 		Wk
9 		Wk
10 		Wk
11 		Wk
12 		Wk
13 		Wk
14 		Wk
15 		Wk
16 		Wk
17 		Wk
18 		Wk
19 		Wk
20 		Final
IllinoisAPRVRV25RV19
C242020RV17
IndianaAP17161614RV
C18161814RV
IowaAP
C
MarylandAPRVRVRVRVRV
CRVRVRV
MichiganAPRVRVRVRV
C23
Michigan StateAPRVRVRVRVRV
CRVRVRVRV25
MinnesotaAP
C
NebraskaAPRVRV
CRVRV
NorthwesternAP
C
Ohio StateAPRV21RVRVRV
CRV22RVRVRV
OregonAPRVRVRV12
CRVRVRVRV10
Penn StateAPRVRV
CRV
PurdueAP14136138
C13126127
RutgersAP252424
CRV24RVRV
UCLAAP22RVRV
C22RVRVRV
USCAP
C
WashingtonAP
C
WisconsinAPRVRV191511
CRV251711

Players of the week

Throughout the conference regular season, the Big Ten offices will name one or two players of the week and one or two freshmen of the week each Monday.

WeekPlayer of the weekFreshman of the week
November 11, 2024[33] Nick Martinelli, NorthwesternWill Riley, Illinois
November 18, 2024[34] John Tonje, WisconsinDylan Harper, Rutgers
November 25, 2024[35] John Tonje (2), WisconsinDerik Queen, Maryland
December 2, 2024[36] Trey Kaufman-Renn, PurdueDylan Harper (2), Rutgers

Early season tournaments

Of the 18 Big Ten teams, 13 will participate in early season tournaments.[37]

TeamTournamentFinish
IndianaBattle 4 Atlantis7th
MichiganFort Myers Tip-Off1st
Michigan StateMaui Invitational3rd
MinnesotaESPN Events Invitational4th
NebraskaDiamond Head Classic
NorthwesternArizona Tip-Off3rd
OregonPlayers Era Festival1st
Penn StateSunshine Slam2nd
PurdueRady Children's Invitational1st
RutgersPlayers Era Festival6th
USCAcrisure Classic4th
WashingtonAcrisure Invitational1st
WisconsinGreenbrier Tip-Off1st

Conference matrix

This table summarizes the head-to-head results between teams in conference play. Each team is scheduled to play 20 conference games with at least one game against each opponent.

vs. Illinois – 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Indiana 0–0 –0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Iowa 0–0 0–0–0–00–00–00–00–00–10–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Maryland 0–0 0–00–0–0–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Michigan 0–0 0–00–00–0–0–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–1
vs. Michigan St 0–0 0–00–00–00–0–0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Minnesota 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–0–0–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Nebraska 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–0–0–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Northwestern0–0 0–01–00–00–00–00–00–0–0–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Ohio State 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0– 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Oregon 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 –0–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Penn State 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–0–0–00–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Purdue 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–0–0–0 0–00–00–00–0
vs. Rutgers 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–0– 0–00–00–00–0
vs. UCLA0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 –0–00–10–0
vs. USC 0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–0–0–00–0
vs. Washington0–0 0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 1–00–0–0–0
vs. Wisconsin 0–0 0–00–00–01–00–00–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–00–0 0–00–00–0–
Total 0–00–01–00–01–00–00–00–00–10–00–00–00–00–01–00–00–10–1

Postseason

Big Ten tournament

Although the conference grew by four teams, it has allotted only one additional spot for the conference tournament – meaning three teams will not qualify for the tournament. The tournament will still be over five days, with double byes for the top four seeds, and single byes for the next five seeds.[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-08-04 . Big Ten expanding to 18 teams with Oregon and Washington . 2023-10-25 . NBC4 WCMH-TV . en-US.
  2. News: Dochterman . Scott . Moore . C. J. . Big Ten basketball schedules revealed: How will conference matchups work with 18 teams? . 2024-09-20 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  3. Web site: 2024-05-02 . Expanded Big Ten reveals men's basketball opponents. Here's where IU and Purdue are headed next year . 2024-09-20 . wthr.com . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2024-01-30 . Expanded Big Ten basketball tourneys will only include 15 of league’s 18 teams . 2024-04-10 . Chicago Sun-Times . en.
  5. Web site: 2024-03-15 . Michigan fires coach Howard after 8-24 season . 2024-04-09 . ESPN.com . en.
  6. Web site: 2024-03-24 . Michigan names Florida Atlantic's Dusty May new basketball coach - CBS Detroit . 2024-04-09 . www.cbsnews.com . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2024-02-14 . Ohio St. fires men's basketball coach Holtmann . 2024-04-09 . ESPN.com . en. Borzello, Jeff.
  8. Web site: 2024-02-14 . Ohio State fires Chris Holtmann: Buckeyes basketball coach dismissed in midst of seventh season . 2024-04-09 . CBSSports.com . en.
  9. Web site: Peters . Andrew . Ohio State Men's CBB Hires Jake Diebler as HC After Going 6-2 as Interim Coach . 2024-04-09 . Bleacher Report . en.
  10. Web site: 2024-04-02 . SMU hires Andy Enfield: USC coach leaves Trojans after 11 seasons to lead Mustangs into ACC era . 2024-04-09 . CBSSports.com . en.
  11. Web site: 2024-04-04 . USC tabs Arkansas' Musselman to replace Enfield . 2024-04-09 . ESPN.com . en.
  12. Web site: 2024-03-08 . Hopkins out as coach at Washington after season . 2024-04-09 . ESPN.com . en.
  13. Web site: 2024-03-25 . Washington hires Danny Sprinkle: Utah State coach leaving for Huskies after leading Aggies to NCAA Tournament . 2024-04-09 . CBSSports.com . en.
  14. Web site: Big Ten basketball preseason media poll: Can Purdue repeat again? Will IU challenge? .
  15. Web site: Purdue’s Braden Smith Named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year .
  16. Web site: Men’s Preseason All-America Team . AP News. Associated Press. October 21, 2024. November 4, 2024.
  17. Web site: NCAA College Basketball Rankings: AP Top 25 Basketball Poll . October 14, 2024 . November 4, 2024 . AP News . en.
  18. Web site: Dortch . Chris . 2024-09-28 . Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook's Preseason Top 25 . 2024-11-04 . Blue Ribbon Report.
  19. Web site: 2024-11-04 . College Basketball Rankings: Kansas sits at No. 1 in Top 25 and 1 as 2024-25 season tips off Monday . 2024-11-04 . CBSSports.com . en.
  20. Web site: NCAA Men’s College Basketball Coaches Poll USA Today Sports . 2024-10-23 . 2024-11-04 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  21. Web site: 2024-09-09 . 2024-25 men's NCAA basketball rankings: Way-Too-Early Top 25 . 2024-11-04 . ESPN.com . en. Borzello, Jeff.
  22. Web site: College basketball rankings: Kansas, UConn, Alabama sit atop preseason top 25 . 2024-10-13 . 2024-11-04 . FOX Sports . en-US.
  23. Web site: Bozich . Alex . 2024-09-13 . Indiana picked to win the Big Ten by Lindy’s Sports . 2024-11-04 . Inside the Hall Indiana Hoosiers Basketball News, Recruiting and Analysis . en-US.
  24. Web site: DeCourcy . Mike . 2024-11-04 . College basketball rankings 2024-25: Alabama, Houston, Duke lead Sporting News preseason Top 25 Sporting News . 2024-11-04 . www.sportingnews.com . en-us.
  25. Web site: Sweeney . Kevin . 2024-10-28 . Sports Illustrated’s Complete Men’s College Basketball Rankings, From No. 1 Alabama to No. 364 Miss. Valley State . 2024-11-04 . Sports Illustrated . en-us.
  26. Web site: John R. Wooden Award Preseason Men's Top 50 Watchlist . 2024-11-07 . 2024-12-02.
  27. Web site: 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Men’s Player of the Year Watch List, Presented by AXIA Time . 2024-10-30 . 2024-11-04.
  28. Web site: NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR THE 2025 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S POINT GUARD OF THE YEAR AWARDS . 2024-10-28 . 2024-11-04 . www.hoophall.com . en.
  29. Web site: NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR THE 2025 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SHOOTING GUARD OF THE YEAR AWARDS . 2024-10-29 . 2024-11-04 . www.hoophall.com . en.
  30. Web site: NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR THE 2025 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SMALL FORWARD OF THE YEAR AWARDS . 2024-10-30 . 2024-11-04.
  31. Web site: NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR THE 2025 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S POWER FORWARD OF THE YEAR AWARDS . 2024-10-31 . 2024-11-04.
  32. Web site: NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE PRESEASON WATCH LIST FOR THE 2025 MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CENTER OF THE YEAR AWARD . 2024-11-01 . 2024-11-04.
  33. Web site: 2024-11-11 . Northwestern, Illinois Score Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades. 2024-11-18 . . en.
  34. Web site: 2024-11-18 . Wisconsin, Rutgers Score Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades. 2024-11-18 . . en.
  35. Web site: 2024-11-25 . Wisconsin, Maryland Score Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades. 2024-11-26 . . en.
  36. Web site: 2024-12-02 . Purdue, Rutgers Score Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades. 2024-12-02 . . en.
  37. Web site: Dobbertean . Chris . 2024-11-26 . 2024-25 Men’s College Basketball Multi-Team Events (MTEs) . 2024-11-26 . . en.
  38. Web site: Shaw . Justin . Addition of four news teams will create only one additional spot in Big Ten Tournament . January 30, 2024 . SportsTravelMagazine.com . September 9, 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2024–25 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.