Big Ten Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll Released; Purdue Tabbed Favorite

In the Big Ten men's basketball preseason media poll, coach Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers were chosen as the conference favorite, while eight teams had players selected to the All-Big Ten first and second teams. Here's the preseason poll, plus individual preseason awards.

Big Ten media days take place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. this week, and the men's basketball preseason media poll was released Monday.

This poll surveys two writers from each of the league’s 14 schools and is gathered by Brendan Quinn of The Athletic and Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch.

As expected, Purdue, the reigning Big Ten regular season and tournament champions, is the heavy favorite to repeat as champions, led by National Player of the Year Zach Edey. Coach Matt Painter returns a nearly identical roster to last year's 29-6 squad, and they'll be hungry to avenge their loss to No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64.

Michigan State received a few votes, as coach Tom Izzo has built a loaded roster with many of the same pieces from last year's Sweet 16 run. Elsewhere, Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako is viewed as the league's top freshman, and eight teams had players voted to the All-Big Ten first and second teams.

Big Ten media poll

1. Purdue (24)
2. Michigan State (4)
3. Maryland
4. Illinois
5. Wisconsin
6. Indiana
7. Ohio State
8. Northwestern
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers
11. Michigan
12. Nebraska
13. Penn State
14. Minnesota

Player of the Year

• Zach Edey, Purdue (27)
• Also receiving votes: Tyson Walker, Michigan State (1)

Freshman of the Year

• Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana (19)
• Also receiving votes: DeShawn Harris-Smith, Maryland (5); Xavier Booker, Michigan State (2); Myles Colvin, Purdue, and Scotty Middleton, Ohio State (1)

Transfer of the Year

• Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State (14)
• Also receiving votes: Olivier Nkamhoua, Michigan (6); Jamison Battle, Ohio State (4); Kel’el Ware, Indiana, and AJ Storr, Wisconsin (2)

First Team All-Big Ten

• Zach Edey, Purdue (unanimous)
• Jahmir Young, Maryland
• Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois
• Tyson Walker, Michigan State
• Boo Buie, Northwestern

Second Team All-Big Ten

• Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers
• A.J. Hoggard, Michigan State
• Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn State
• Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska
• Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
• Also receiving votes: Bruce Thornton, Ohio State 7; Julian Reese, Maryland 6; Steven Crowl, Wisconsin 5; Dawson Garcia, Minnesota 5; Braden Smith, Purdue 5; Chucky Hepburn, Wisconsin 4; Xavier Johnson, Indiana 4; Zed Key, Ohio State 4; Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana 4; Payton Sandfort, Iowa 4; Jaden Akins, Michigan State 3; Connor Essegian, Wisconsin 3; Olivier Nkamhoua, Michigan 3; Tony Perkins, Iowa 3; Jamison Battle, Ohio State 2; Fletcher Loyer, Purdue 2; AJ Storr, Wisconsin 2; Tyler Wahl, Wisconsin 2; Malik Hall, Michigan State 1; Ben Krikke, Iowa 1; Donta Scott, Maryland 1; Kel’el Ware, Indiana 1