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 fourth part, which looks at players 20-16 for the 2024-25 season, is available below:
Previously: 40-31, 30-26, 25-21
20. Sebastian Mack, UCLA (6’3″, guard, sophomore)
Statistics 2023–24 (33 games): 12.1 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, 38.7% FG, 28.3% 3PFG in 26.8 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Mack, one of the top 60 recruits in the class of 2023, gained plenty of experience as a freshman in Westwood for a disappointing UCLA team.
The Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honoree is a scorer. Last season, he reached double figures 19 times and scored 20 or more points five times. Mack does an excellent job of using his body to make contact and get to the free throw line. Last season, he ranked eighth in the Pac-12 in free throw percentage, converting 72.7 free throws from the free throw line. He also has the athleticism and physicality to develop into a sure-handed defender under Mick Cronin, one of the best defensive coaches in the country.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: UCLA has a plethora of guards on its roster, including Dylan Andrews, Skyy Clark and Trent Perry. Mack is expected to remain a starter, but his efficiency must improve. Last season, he hit just 28 percent of his threes and 42.9 percent of his twos. If those numbers don’t improve, Clark, a transfer from Louisville, or Perry, a highly touted freshman, could take playing time from him.
19. Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana (6’0″, forward, sophomore)
Statistics 2023–24 (33 games): 12.2 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, 39.5% FG, 32.7% 3PFG in 27.0 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: If you’re looking for a second-year shooting star in the Big Ten, Mgbako is one of the most obvious choices. His per-game averages steadily increased during his rookie season in Bloomington. He averaged 7.2 points per game in November, 12 points in December and January, 13.9 points in February and 15.8 points per game in March.
Mgbako is expected to use his size and shooting ability on the wing to bridge the gap between IU’s talented frontcourt and backcourt. He made 38 percent of his 3-pointers in Big Ten games, compared to 24 percent in non-conference games.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: There are a lot of mouths to feed in Indiana’s rotation, and Mgbako may not be in the best position positionally. The Hoosiers brought in a pair of ball-handling guards, Malik Reneau returns, and Oumar Ballo will demand touches in the box. Mgbako seems like the perfect four for space-shaping, but he’ll likely spend most of his time as an oversized three alongside a pair of bigs.
18. Meechie Johnson, Ohio State (6’8″, guard, fifth-year senior)
Statistics 2023-24 (33 games in South Carolina): 14.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 39.9% FG, 32.1% 3PFG in 29.1 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Johnson, who was named to the All-SEC second team last season, returns to Columbus to use his extra year of eligibility granted to him due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will play right alongside Bruce Thornton in Ohio State’s backcourt and immediately become a key scoring option for the Buckeyes.
But Johnson’s game is more than just a scorer, as he’s also a capable distributor who averaged nearly three assists for the Gamecocks last season. Johnson has improved in every season of his career, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t have another season of improvement this winter.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: Johnson has been a poor three-point shooter for a high-volume three-point shooter over the course of his career. He made 130 of 401 (32.4 percent) from distance over his final two seasons at South Carolina. If the poor shooting numbers continue and Thornton continues his rise as one of the Big Ten’s best guards, Johnson could be more of a complement for the Buckeyes.
17. Roddy Gayle Jr., Michigan (1.95 m, guard, junior)
Statistics 2023-24 (36 games at Ohio State): 13.5 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, 44.9% FG, 28.4% 3PFG in 30.9 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Expected to be Michigan’s first choice at perimeter protection after making the rare move north from Ohio State, Gayle is a proven Big Ten guard who averaged 13.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as a sophomore in the midst of a chaotic season in Columbus.
Gayle is a versatile perimeter guard who can play with or without the ball. He made 51 percent of his two-pointers and was excellent at getting to the free throw line, making 83 percent of his free throws. He is also an underrated passer, which should fit well in Dusty May’s offensive system.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: Gayle’s biggest strength is shooting three points. He shot just 28 percent from outside as a sophomore, compared to 43 percent on some attempts as a freshman. He battled a wrist injury his sophomore year, but his confidence and ability to shoot and hit threes will be what drives his potential. He has All-Big Ten potential if he can rediscover his freshman form.
16. Owen Freeman, Iowa (6’10”, forward, sophomore)
Statistics 2023–24 (34 games): 10.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 1.8 blocks per game, 1.2 assists per game, 61.4% FG in 22.8 minutes
Why he could surpass this ranking: Foul trouble and conditioning were all that kept Freeman from being more productive as a freshman in Iowa City. His surprising rookie season ended with him being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the media and Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year by the league’s coaches.
Freeman was an excellent finisher — 65.2 percent on 2s in Big Ten play — and also ranked in the top 10 in the conference in offensive and defensive rebound percentage and block percentage. With an offseason to work on his game and conditioning, he should develop into one of the best frontcourt players in the league.
Why he could do worse in this ranking: Freeman will get significantly more attention in Iowa’s frontcourt this season following the graduation of Ben Krikke, and he will be the focal point for opposing bigs across the league. The foul trouble is a legitimate concern — 4.8 per 40 minutes, according to KenPom — and unless he can improve there, it’s unlikely he’ll play enough minutes to reach his full potential.
Filed under: 2024-25 Big Ten Preview
