The Daily men’s basketball beat predicts how all 12 teams will finish in the Big Ten this year.
1. Indiana
Key Returners: Sophomore forward Cody Zeller, senior forward Christian Watford
Key Losses: Forward Tom Pritchard
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 27 vs. North Carolina
What it has to do to please its fan base: Win a national title
2. Michigan
Key Returners: Sophomore guard Trey Burke, junior guard Tim Hardaway, Jr.
Key Losses: Guard Zack Novak and guard Stu Douglass
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 21 vs. Pittsburgh, Nov. 27 vs. North Carolina State, Dec. 15 vs. West Virginia
What it has to do to please its fan base: Make it to the Elite Eight
3. Ohio State
Key Returners: Junior guard Aaron Craft, junior forward Deshaun Thomas, junior guard Lenzelle Smith, Jr.
Key Losses: Forward Jared Sullinger, guard William Buford
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 28 at Duke, Dec. 22 vs. Kansas
What it has to do to please its fan base: Make it to the Final Four
4. Michigan State
Key Returners: Junior guard Keith Appling, sophomore guard Branden Dawson, senior center Derrick Nix
Key Losses: Forward Draymond Green
Marquee non-conference games: 66-62 L vs. Connecticut on Nov. 9, 67-64 W vs. Kansas on Nov. 13, Dec. 22 vs. Texas
What it has to do to please its fan base: Make it to the Sweet Sixteen
5. Wisconsin
Key Returners: Fifth-year senior Jared Berggren, senior forward Mike Bruesewitz, sophomore guard Traevon Jackson
Key Losses: Guard Jordan Taylor, guard Rob Wilson, junior guard Josh Gasser (to season-ending ACL injury)
Marquee non-conference games: 74-56 L vs. Florida on Nov. 14, Nov. 23 vs. Creighton, Nov. 28 vs. Virginia
What it has to do to please its fan base: Make it to the Sweet Sixteen
6. Minnesota
Key Returners: Senior forward Trevor Mbakwe, senior forward Rodney Williams, Jr., sophomore guard Andre Hollins
Key Losses: Forward Ralph Sampson III
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 22 vs. Duke, Nov. 27 at Florida State
What it has to do to please its fan base: Qualify for the NCAA Tournament
7. Northwestern
Key Returners: Senior guard Drew Crawford, sophomore guard Drew Sobolewski
Key Losses: Forward John Shurna
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 27 vs. Maryland, Dec. 4 at Baylor
What it has to do to please its fan base: Qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history
8. Iowa
Key Returners: Junior guard Roy Devyn Marble, senior guard Eric May, junior forward Melsahn Basabe
Key Losses: Guard Matt Gatens
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 27 at Virginia Tech, Dec. 7 vs. Iowa State
What it has to do to please its fan base: Qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006
9. Purdue
Key Returners: Senior guard D.J. Byrd, junior guard Terone Johnson
Key Losses: Forward Robbie Hummel
Marquee non-conference games: Dec. 15 vs. Notre Dame
What it has to do to please its fan base: Qualify for the NCAA Tournament
10. Illinois
Key Returners: Senior guard Brandon Paul, senior guard D.J. Richardson
Key Losses: Head coach Bruce Weber
Marquee non-conference games: Dec. 8 vs. Gonzaga
What it has to do to please its fan base: Qualify for the NCAA Tournament
11. Penn State
Key Returners: Senior guard Tim Frazier
Key Losses: Forward Billy Oliver
Marquee non-conference games: Nov. 15 vs. North Carolina State, Nov. 28 vs. Boston College
What it has to do to please its fan base: Finish above .500
12. Nebraska
Key Returners: Senior forward Brandon Ubel
Key Losses: Guard Bo Spencer, guard Toney McCray, center Jorge Brian Diaz
Marquee non-conference games: Dec. 15 at Oregon
What it has to do to please its fan base: Four conference wins and late-season momentum