MICHIGAN STATE

What’s good: The Spartans' backcourt is terrifying. Led by reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas, Michigan State should repeat as the conference’s most prolific offense. Alongside Lucas is junior shooting guard and middle school friend Durrell Summers, a 6-foot-5 athletic freak with great hops and a dangerous three-point shot (38.5 percent last season). Backups Korie Luscious and Chris Allen round out arguably the conference's best set of perimeter players.

What’s not: The Spartans lose last season’s Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Travis Walton, and arguably the conference’s most complete center, Goran Suton. Walton provided a steady handle on offense (he led the team in assist-to-turnover ratio) and was comfortable guarding the one-three positions whenever needed. There’s no one on the roster that can duplicate Walton’s impact right now.

Suton led the conference in rebounding (8.4 boards per game) and was an efficient double-digit scorer, finishing sixth in the Big Ten with a 52.1-percent shooting rate. Although sophomores Delvon Roe and Draymond Green will be healthy, in shape and much more athletic than their Bosnian predecessor, their interior passing and back-to-the-basket moves will require time to develop.

Bottom line: This is still the Big Ten’s best team on paper. A loaded backcourt and two budding stars in Roe and Green should make up for the loss of Walton and Suton by March.

PURDUE:

What’s good: Purdue is a bona fide top-10 team, and the Boilermakers know it. Last year at Big Ten Media Day, guard Keaton Grant boldly predicted that Purdue would win the national title. And while the Boilermakers only made it to the Sweet Sixteen, No. 7 Purdue hopes to make that short trip to Indianapolis when the season ends — and not just for the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers return junior forward Robbie Hummel, a Preseason All-Conference Team selection. Though he struggled with a lingering back injury last year, Hummel still averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds per game. To top it off, all five of Purdue’s starters return to a team that won the Big Ten Tournament last year.

What’s not: The biggest concern for Purdue is its thin frontcourt. The Boilermakers have just three true freshmen to back up starters Hummel and JaJuan Johnson. Additionally, coach Matt Painter used a thin bench last year, with all of his starters averaging over 27 minutes a game. That means there is a chance that the team could wear down during a lengthy tournament run.

Bottom line: Purdue has five solid starters led by Hummel and should challenge the Spartans for the Big Ten crown. Expect the Boilermakers to go far in the postseason.

OHIO STATE

What’s good: Evan Turner is the Big Ten’s Mr. Everything, leading the league in scoring last season and finishing in the top 10 in shooting percentage, assists, rebounds and steals. The six-foot-seven junior will be entrusted with point guard duties this year, and in Monday’s season-opening win became the second Buckeye ever to post a triple-double. Though Turner had said he prefers initiating the offense, coach Thad Matta will likely save a package of plays to take advantage of Turner’s slashing ability and keep the conference’s best player off the ball.

What’s not: Rebounding and offensive efficiency. The Buckeyes finished ninth in rebounding margin last year, and that was with seven-foot center B.J. Mullens, who is now in the NBA. And don’t expect Turner to grab seven-plus boards a night while running the point. With no incoming freshmen this season, forwards David Lighty and Dallas Lauderdale will have to show significant improvement on the glass to compensate.

Turner’s move from swingman to point guard was done in part to improve an offense that finished seventh in assists and recorded a measly one-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio. Matta has said ballhandling will be one of his primary focal points during the first semester.

Bottom line: The Buckeyes have one of the most versatile players in the country, a rock-solid starting five and a proven coach.