The Detroit native and Oak Hill Academy standout was set to join Manny Harris and Kelvin Grady in Ann Arbor last year, and decommitted in favor of Kentucky shortly after Tommy Amakar’s March 2007 firing. He left the Wildcats after just one semester. He’s now with Illinois, and eligible to play starting in mid-December.

What’s not: The frontcourt. Illinois is inexperienced down low, and its two probable starters, sophomores Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis, averaged just over 10 minutes per game last season when Illinois finished a lowly 5-13 in the conference.

Bottom line: The Illini have the talent to be more than a five-win team, but they did last year, too. Expect some solid perimeter shooting but little else. It all depends on how quickly their young players develop.

Minnesota

What’s good: In his first season in Minneapolis, coach Tubby Smith turned the Gophers around from nine wins to 20. Guard Blake Hoffarber, who had possibly the best play in college basketball last season with a last second, left-handed shot against Indiana, will lead the offensive attack. Lanky 6-foot-11 freshman Ralph Sampson III and 6-foot-9 freshman Colton Iverson will make an immediate impact in the post.

What’s not: After all the positive momentum the Gopher’s built in the regular season, they ended last year with two tough losses to Illinois and Maryland. Last year’s top three scorers graduated, and Minnesota will have to rely on its younger players. Minnesota will likely be a bubble team. Whether the Gophers can fill holes down low will be a big factor to their tournament hopes.

Bottom line: Minnesota is one of the up-and-coming teams in the Big Ten, which hopes to make a step up from its NIT bid last season.

Michigan

What’s good: Everyone knows stars Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims will lead this young team. Harris is the Big Ten’s top-returning scorer (16.1 points per game), and Sims will use his 6-foot-8 frame more in the post this season playing less on the perimeter than in the past. The two will get assistance from role players like redshirt junior center Zack Gibson, sophomore point guard Kelvin Grady and freshman shooting guard Stu Douglass. Douglass can lace threes from NBA range and should impress this season.

What’s not: It can’t get much worse for the Wolverines. After a dismal first season in Ann Arbor, Michigan coach John Beilein hopes his team doesn't approach the program-record 22 losses again. The Wolverines struggled on the glass last season, and the transfer of forward Ekpe Udoh to Baylor doesn’t help the already meek frontcourt.

Bottom Line: Expect an NIT run, but an NCAA berth is beyond doubtful.

Penn State

What’s good: Point guard Talor Battle could be on the verge of a huge sophomore season. He averaged 10.2 points and 3.5 assists per game as a freshman and at just 5-foot-11, is still one of the Nittany Lions’ best backcourt rebounders. After suffering a late-season knee injury, senior Janelle Cornley returns this year and could be a threat in the backcourt. At 6-foot-5, Cornley has the skills to turn out consistent double-doubles, but he’ll have to stay healthy.

What’s not: Is there anyone on the floor to help Battle and Cornley? Penn State lost its best player in Geary Claxton midway through last season. The Nittany Lions never recovered. Even with young players and a few returners, there’s not much depth at the forward spot. Penn State also lacks size on the perimeter, but freshmen Chris Babb and Cammeron Woodyard, who both stand at 6-foot-5, could provide some assistance.

Bottom Line: Joe Paterno’s team will probably make it to the Rose Bowl, but don’t expect Nittany Lions basketball coach Ed DeChellis to lead his young squad outside of Happy Valley come mid-March.

Iowa

What’s good: Senior forward Cyrus Tate will be the lone bright spot in what looks to be a lackluster season. Tate, a team co-captain of the young Hawkeyes, came in for an injured Jarryd Cole midway through last season and led the team in rebounds.