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The Big Ten released its preseason All-Big Ten team on Wednesday and there were more than a few intriguing selections. These rankings are always one of the best early looks at the conference and are no different this year.
One thing worth noting about the list is that the Big Ten recently increased its All-Big Ten team from five to 10 members. As such, an additional five players will find their name among the players listed. Some of the names will be familiar to fans and some won’t be quite as well known.
Here is the full list of players below.
2021-’22 Preseason All-Big Ten Team:
- Eric Ayala (Maryland)
- Kofi Cockburn (Illinois)
- Andre Curbelo (Illinois)
- Hunter Dickinson (Michigan)
- Ron Harper (Rutgers)
- Caleb Houstan (Michigan)
- Jaden Ivey (Purdue)
- Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana)
- EJ Liddell (Ohio State)
- Keegan Murray (Iowa)
- Trevion Williams (Purdue)
2021-’22 Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year:
- Kofi Cockburn (Illinois)
Of the 10 players that made the cut, they come from eight different teams. The only teams that had multiple players make the cut were Illinois, Michigan, and Purdue. Of course, that also means that six teams failed to have a player make the list. Cockburn, Dickinson, Ivey, Jackson-Davis, and Liddell were unanimous selections.
It’s also worth acknowledging Cockburn’s selection as the Big Ten’s Preseason Player of the Year. That news will certainly come as no surprise to those that watched last season. Cockburn figures to be in serious contention for National Player of the Year thanks to his size and ability to demolish defenders down low.
Perhaps the most notable absence from this list was Michigan State. Despite a preseason top 25 rating on KenPom, the Spartans didn’t land a single player on this list. We’ll have to see if that holds up as the season unfolds. It seems unlikely Michigan State’s roster will miss the cut if its KenPom preseason rating holds up.
There’s certain to be plenty of movement on this list as the season continues, but don’t be surprised to see all 10 of these players make some noise this year.