Michigan Basketball: Predicting UM’s finish in 2020-21 Big Ten standings

9-5

Purdue beat No. 5 Virginia, No. 8 MSU, and a ranked Iowa team, twice.

Three of the five starters are returning and they are bringing in two recruits within the top 100, and a 7-foot-3 giant from IMG Academy to replace the size the Boilermakers have had down low for what seems like forever. Having Matt Haarms and Nojel Eastern transfer out will hurt a bit, but there are still enough pieces in place for a top ten finish.

From the bottom four to the top eight, the Hoosiers will take a massive leap forward after a fantastic recruiting effort from the staff. Five-star Khristian Lander, No. 26 nationally for the 2020 class, is joining Indiana and he brings with him four other, very talented freshmen.

On top of that, they are returning all of their starters.

Rutgers lost once at home and yet they had one of the most atrocious road records in the conference. Recruiting hasn’t been horrible, but the Scarlet Knights just aren’t that good despite returning most of their starters.

If Cliff Omoruyi, a top 50 center, can live up to the hype, Rutgers could be in the top five, but that will be a tall task for a 6-foot-10, 230-pound newcomer, especially when he meets Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson, a fellow freshman listed at 7-foot-2 and 255-pounds.

No change for the Buckeyes who lost some key components in the Wesson brothers (Kaleb hired an unapproved agent) and a few transfers. Although, Seth Towns is a massive addition that will keep OSU from falling.

The Terrapins had the best overall record in the conference on the backs of Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith. They’re headed to the NBA and with the conference’s worst class for the 2020 cycle, Maryland’s success will depend upon the availability of transfers and guard play.