We’ve already had a glimpse at the top players who joined the Big Ten from the transfer portal for the 2026-27 season. Now it’s time to take a look at the top players overall. The league looks like it is primed for a guard-heavy season, and if it hasn’t been proven already, teams need elite guards in March if they want to reach the Final Four and beyond. That’s what both of the Big Ten teams that reached the Final Four last season return, at Michigan and Illinois, respectively. However, the best example may come from Tom Izzo’s Michigan State, which returns arguably the best point guard in the country.
Let’s take a closer look at the top players in the Big Ten power rankings.
Big Ten Power Rankings: Top Players Heading Into 2026-27
1. Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State)
When he wasn’t getting questioned over his on-court antics, Jeremy Fears Jr proved to be the best playmaker on the court for the Spartans. A 15.3 point per game scorer last season, along with averaging nearly 10 assists, Fears will stir the drink for Izzo, as the Spartans try to compete for a national title. He’s built from the same mold as other Spartan Greats.
2. Elliot Cadeau (Michigan)
Like rival Fears, Elliot Cadeau has grown throughout his collegiate career. The senior floor leader for the defending champion Wolverines is going to have to take that next step. Winning Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament certainly boosts confidence. He’s going to have some new faces around him, but Michigan and Cadeau have the culture to make noise once again. That’s especially true if Cadeau can continue the production he had throughout March, in both scoring and setting up his teammates.
3. Andrej Stojakovic (Illinois)
A key cog from the Illini’s run to the Final Four, Andrej Stojakovic could end up being not only one of the top players in the Big Ten, but the country. He averaged 13.5 points per game this past season. If he can continue to grow his 3-point shot, then he’s going to be amongst the best shooters in the country. He showed in stretches how he can take over a game if given the chance.
4. Trey McKenney (Michigan)
He may have only gotten freshman minutes last season, but that didn’t stop Trey McKenney from providing an edge. The rising sophomore showed he has a natural stroke from deep, hitting nearly 40% of his looks last season. He may not have been a starter then, but McKenney is going to step right into the lineup this season, and he could easily become the Wolverines leading scorer.
5. Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska)
Easily one of the biggest risers during Nebraska’s historic run, Pryce Sandfort has found himself again under the coaching of Fred Hoiberg, after it seemed like he was lost after the firing of Fran McCaffery from Iowa. If not McKenney, then Sandfort could easily claim the top shooter spot from this group. He averaged 18 points a game last season. If he can replicate that, he’s got a case for All-Big Ten once again.
6. David Mirkovic (Illinois)
There were signs that David Mirkovic was in for something special early during his freshman season. He was the early leader in the Big Ten Freshman of the Year race. He didn’t win that award, but still proved to be just as important as his teammate Keaton Wagler, who did. Mirkovic ended up as an NCAA All-Region player as Illinois reached its first Final Four since 2005. Now he’s going to be asked to lead the Illini a whole lot more this season.
7. Coen Carr (Michigan State)
Flight 55 is back for one more run. Yep, Coen Carr has more than proved he’s the best dunker in college basketball. Heck, he probably could go win the NBA Dunk Contest right now. He’s gotten better all-around the longer he’s been in East Lansing. He eclipsed the 12 points per game mark last season, while also bumping up his rebound average to 5.4. He’s long worked on his outside shot, though it isn’t automatic; he’s grown well beyond just the highlight dunker.
8. John Mobley Jr (Ohio State)
Though he might have been outshone by now Houston Rockets rookie Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr is more than ready to lead the Buckeyes. Ohio State has some momentum after finally breaking through with an NCAA Tournament berth last season. Mobley showed he can score at a high rate, as he’s averaged 13 or more points in each of his first two seasons. He also isn’t afraid to let it fly from deep, attempting more than seven threes per game last season.
9. Trent Perry (UCLA)
The top returning scorer for UCLA is Trent Perry. The now junior may have had his coming-out party during the Bruins’ upset of MSU in the Big Ten Tournament last season. He went from a three-point scorer as a freshman, up to nearly 13 points per game in 2025-26. If he can continue to hunt his shot, Perry is going to be amongst the best scorers in the Big Ten.
10. Nolan Winter (Wisconsin)
Wisconsin just breeds strong, athletic big men. Look back throughout their run of success, and there is a very talented big man on every squad, from Frank Kaminsky to Ethan Happ. Nolan Winter is the next man up in that same mold. Winter had his best season yet with 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 2025-26. The now senior center is ready to write a massive swan song.
11. Aiden Sherrell (Indiana)
The best frontcourt transfer portal addition in the Big Ten, Aiden Sherrell, had plenty of pursuers throughout the league. He chose Indiana, and that automatically puts him among the top players in this conference ahead of next season. He can score and rebound, and he averaged over two blocks a game last season at Alabama. Sometimes things just work out, and this might be the exact piece Indiana has been looking for.
12. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (Minnesota)
Not only was Niko Medved new last season as the head coach, but Jaylen Crocker-Johnson was new to the Big Ten. He followed his coach from Colorado State and fit nicely in his role. Sure, he wasn’t the top scorer for the Gophers, with Cade Tyson taking that spot, but JCJ was confident and efficient as a 13-point-per-game scorer — not to mention his 6.8 rebounds per game. His 22 points against Michigan State were a big reason why the Gophers upset the Spartans.
13. Rodney Rice (USC)
Injuries were a bump in the road for the Trojans last season. Rodney Rice was one of the players who missed the most time, as he only played six games. He was on pace for something big when he went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. He averaged 20.3 points per game, which would’ve put him fourth in the entire Big Ten last season. Now it’s clear why USC failed to make the NCAA Tournament. Rice is back and more than ready to return to his pre-injury form.
14. Braden Frager (Nebraska)
Last season’s Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, Braden Frager, is more than ready to step into the starting lineup for the Cornhuskers. As a freshman, he was a clutch shotmaker throughout Nebraska’s run to a record-breaking 28-7 campaign. Frager might be one of the league’s toughest players. He was more than ready for the intensity that MSU’s Jeremy Fears brought when the pair shared some words in their clash last season. Frager is a sneaky good defender as well.
15. Jacob Cofie (USC)
The Trojans have plenty of talent for the 2026-27 campaign, and Jacob Cofie leads a really loaded group in the frontcourt. He averaged just under 10 points a game last season, while also crashing the boards at a high clip. He started showing a bit of an outside shot as well, making 21 3-pointers last season. If that can continue, Cofie becomes yet another hard player to guard for other forwards in the Big Ten.
16. Tomislav Ivisic (Illinois)
A presence in both the post and from the outside, Tomislav Ivisic wasn’t as effective as his freshman season, but he was still a very important piece for the Illini. A second season with brother Zvonimir gives the Illini a terrifying double-headed monster in the post. Tomislav has all the opportunity to become the best all-around big man in the conference.
17. Pharrel Payne (Maryland)
One of the most seasoned players in the Big Ten, Pharrel Payne, was limited to just 10 games last season. In that span, he averaged 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The Terrapins really struggled without him. If he can stay healthy, Payne can be one of the best rebounders in the Big Ten.
18. Eric Dailey (UCLA)
A key cog in UCLA’s lineup for the last two seasons, Eric Dailey has started each of the last 68 games for the Bruins. He’s been a double-digit scorer throughout his time at UCLA. He’s set for a chance to really take his game to the next level. Scoring double digits in eight straight games to end last season, the Bruins will need him to continue his consistency.
19. Stefan Vaaks (Illinois)
One of the best players who joined the Big Ten from the transfer portal. Stefan Vaaks is going to step into a massive role with the Illini. The 6’7″ guard averaged 16 points per game, and he’s going to gel well alongside Mrkovic and Stojakovic.
20. Alijah Arenas (USC)
A player with room to grow, Alijah Arenas, didn’t get the start to his career he was hoping for. After missing most of the season because of an offseason injury, Arenas was able to play the last 14 games of the season. It was a big boost for the Trojans, as he averaged 14 points and gave it his all. Now with a full, healthy offseason, Arenas should be ready to make even more noise.
Just Missing the Cut
The Elite of the Elite in the Big Ten is hard to reach, but here’s a glimpse at some of the players who just missed out on the Top 20.
Michigan’s duo of post-player transfers, Moustapha Thiam and JP Estrella, could easily climb up the list in the Big Ten this coming season. The same can be said about a pair of true freshman players in Ohio State’s Anthony Thompson, who looks like a phenom, alongside Babatunde Oladotun from Maryland.
A lot of the Big Ten’s Top players may not even be on the list right now. There are always some who get overlooked. It certainly looks like the conference is in for yet another massive season.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
