Connor Cagley, Big Sports Radio Basketball Writer
October 18, 2022
It's time to take a spin around the Big Ten to take a quick look across the conference to set up the upcoming 2022-23 men's basketball season. I'll take a look at two teams on Mondays and Thursdays for the next few weeks as we get ready for college basketball games to tip off.
Coleman Hawkins courtesy Illinois Athletics
Key Departure – Kofi Cockburn, Trent Frazier, Alfonso Plummer, Jacob Grandison, Da'Monte Williams
Other Departures – Andre Curbelo, Omar Payne, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Brandin Podziemski
Key Arrivals – Terrence Shannon, Jr., Matthew Mayer, Dain Dainja, Skyy Clark, Ty Rodgers, Jayden Epps
Other Arrivals – Sencire Harris, Zacharie Perrin
Illinois will be challenging Ohio State for the highest level of turnover within the conference between last and this season. This team will be tough to predict due to all the new faces along with the absence of one face in particular: Kofi Cockburn. Cockburn has meant a lot to the Fighting Illini over the last three seasons. With that said, many people were down on Illinois last season due to the departure of Ayo Dosunmu, so this is nothing new for Coach Brad Underwood who’s already proven he can replace a star and still win games.
Stylistically, Illinois will be playing with a lot more size on the wings which should serve to offset the loss of size in Cockburn at the five position. A lot will be riding on the play of transfers Terrence Shannon, Jr. and Matthew Mayer who were key contributors for Texas Tech and Baylor, respectively.
Expect improvement from returning players Coleman Hawkins and Ramses Melendez. To this point, the freshmen with the highest expectations will be point guard Skyy Clark and do-it-all forward Ty Rodgers. Of the two, Clark will have more riding on him as Illinois does lack depth at his position due to the loss of fifth year senior Trent Frazier.
Ceiling: First in conference
Floor: Fourth in conference
Cliff Omoruyi courtesy Rutgers Athletics
Key Departure – Ron Harper, Jr., Geo Baker
Other Departures – Jaden Jones, Ralph Gonzales-Agee
Key Arrivals – Cam Spencer, Derek Simpson
Other Arrivals – Antwone Woolfolk, Antonio Chol
Compared to most teams in the league, Rutgers had little player turnover in the off-season. Of the players they did lose, two of them were the leading scorer for last season’s team. This means they will need their wings to step up and replace the value Ron Harper, Jr. has added over the years. Specifically, Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy, and Aundre Hyatt will be counted on the most as they are upperclassmen familiar with the system.
Replacing Geo Baker will be by committee as well. Cam Spencer, a transfer from Loyola (Maryland) along with Mulcahy will get some run at the point guard. Freshman Derek Simpson will get run at the point as well, but how much time he’ll get is unclear. While none of the players in this group are as electric as Baker, the hope is that they are more efficient than he was during his time at Rutgers.
The biggest growth area for this team will likely be from center, Clifford Omoruyi. Omoruyi finished the season averaging almost 12 points and 8 rebounds a game while shooting 62% from the field. This season he will be the undeniable first option for the offense. He has the potential to be the best shot blocker in the conference. For that to happen, he has to stay out of foul trouble on the defensive end and continue progressing his back-to-the-basket game and polishing his touch on his mid-range jumpers. The area he shows true potential as a big man is his ability to get up and down the court. It’s why Rutgers could be an electric team if they can get themselves in transition more often this season.
Ceiling: Fourth in conference
Floor: Ninth in conference
