With practice officially starting next month, UMHoops and Inside the Hall have teamed up to bring you our annual preseason breakdown of the Big Ten’s top players. This year, the list has expanded after four programs were added to the conference.
The series is divided into seven parts, with one post each weekday through Friday, August 30. Our third part, looking at players 25-21 for the 2024-25 season, is available below:
Previously: 40-31, 30-26
25. Fletcher Loyer, Purdue (1.95 m, guard, junior)
Statistics 2023–24 (39 games): 10.3 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, 41.6% FG, 44.4% 3PFG in 27.8 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: With two-time national player of the year Zach Edey now in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, Purdue’s offense won’t be as post-centric. And Loyer, the conference’s best 3-point shooter last season, should be used more. Loyer hit 48.5 percent of his 3-pointers in Big Ten play last season. Loyer was excellent in most of the NCAA Tournament last season, right up until the national championship game, where he went 30 minutes without scoring a point.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: Braden Smith will be Purdue’s starter, but several younger players on the roster could step up their roles after Edey. Chief among them are Myles Colvin and Cam Heide, two prospects who are both guards. Perhaps Loyer will remain an addition and Purdue will be content with his usage staying in the 17 percent range, which is what it was last season.
24. Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue (6’10”, forward, redshirt junior)
Statistics 2023–24 (39 games): 6.4 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game, 51.1% FG, 33.3% 3PFG in 16.9 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Edey’s departure leaves a key role in Purdue’s frontcourt, and Kaufman-Renn is the most logical choice to take on some of that scoring load. He was the Big Ten’s second-leading offensive rebounder last season and regularly drew fouls, though he still has work to do when he gets to the line (55.7 percent).
Kaufman-Renn is also an efficient finisher, hitting 66.7 percent of his shots last season. His size allows him to use his body very well to create space and finish plays.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: How much of Kaufman-Renn’s performance was the result of the defense focusing on Edey? We’ll find out this season. Despite his excellent shooting percentage at the basket, he made 53.7 percent of his two-pointers overall. He also struggled with the few three-pointers he made (33.3 percent) and, as mentioned, is not a good free-throw shooter.
23. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Maryland (1.85 m, guard, junior)
Statistics 2023-24 (25 games at Belmont): 17.2 points per game, 4.2 assists per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 2.2 steals per game, 56.1% FG, 38.7% 3PFG in 31.4 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Upside transfers are always difficult to gauge, but Gillespie’s game seems well-suited to making the Big Ten. Gillespie comes to College Park after being one of the Missouri Valley Conference’s best guards in his sophomore season. Gillespie was fourth in the MVC in assist rate, second in steal percentage and second in two-point shooting percentage at 72.4 percent. He also made 39 percent of his threes on 105 attempts. With Jahmir Young graduating, it’s Gillespie’s turn to Maryland and he seems more than up to the challenge.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: Although MVC guards have successfully advanced to the Big Ten in recent seasons, there is always the risk that the move to a higher level will not work out.
Much of Gillespie’s offensive success last season was based on using his speed and reaction time to get downhill. Will that still be a strength in the Big Ten against tougher competition?
22. John Blackwell, Wisconsin (6’4″, guard, sophomore)
Statistics 2023–24 (34 games): 8.0 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 44.6% FG, 45.5% 3PFG in 18.5 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: There was no strong group of freshmen in the Big Ten last season, but Blackwell was one of the league’s best. He was a catalyst for Greg Gard, who came in as a backup, and now he’s expected to take on a larger role in his second season. His performance last season suggests he’s ready for the challenge.
Blackwell is a tough guard who shoots threes, draws fouls and converts from the free throw line. Last season, he made 45.5 percent of his shots from beyond the arc and 82.1 percent of his free throws. He was eighth in the Big Ten in fouls per 40 minutes. With AJ Storrs transferring to Kansas, Blackwell will be Wisconsin’s leading scorer on the wing and should play as many minutes as he can.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: Blackwell’s two-point shooting (44.1 percent) was worse than his three-point shooting (45.5 percent) last season. With Storr, Chucky Hepburn and Tyler Wahl all gone, Blackwell has the opportunity to expand his role, but he needs to be more efficient in his offense inside the arc.
With less talent around him and no proven point guard, Blackwell could be forced to take on a more prominent role as a ball handler for a Wisconsin team that could struggle to stay in the Big Ten race.
21. Brice Williams, Nebraska (2.00 m, guard, senior)
Statistics 2023–24 (34 games): 13.4 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, 44.4% FG, 38.8% 3PFG in 29.7 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Williams was one of the most productive transfer players in the Big Ten last season, helping Nebraska to the NCAA tournament. The 6-foot-4 wing shot 48 percent from two and 39 percent from three as a senior and is now back for a senior season. He finished the year with a great streak of three straight 20-plus point games after only scoring 20+ twice during the regular season.
We’ve seen several Big Ten upstarts reach new levels in their sophomore year, and Williams should have the opportunity to elevate his performance without Keisei Tominaga and Reink Mast in the lineup.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: The absence of Tominaga and Mast gives Williams the opportunity to develop, but could also expand his role beyond his natural abilities. Tominaga’s gravity and Mast’s inverted passes have helped Williams clear the field, but he won’t have that luxury again this season.
He needs to improve his 2-point percentage (last year it was 48 percent, last year in Charlotte it was 54 percent) to round out his game as a potential linchpin of Nebraska’s offense.
Filed under: 2024-25 Big Ten Preview
