Michigan State or Illinois? Big Ten basketball preseason poll reveals razor-thin favorite

The Big Ten finally ended its men’s basketball national title drought thanks to Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines. May left for the NBA, so the throne is vacant. Can in-state rival Michigan State take the crown?

We polled writers within the USA TODAY Network who cover Big Ten schools for their preseason predictions, all-conference teams and preseason awards ahead of Big Ten media days, which run Oct. 8 in Rosemont, Illinois.

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It was a two-horse for the top spot between Michigan State and Illinois, with the Spartans edging it out by one point (280-279).

Jeremy Fears Jr. was selected as preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and was the only unanimous All-Big Ten pick. Here’s a look at how our writers think the 2026-27 season will shake out in the Big Ten:

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Big Ten basketball preseason poll, predicted order of finish

2026-27 preseason All-Big Ten basketball team

FIRST TEAM

* denotes unanimous selection

Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State*

SECOND TEAM

Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois

John Mobley Jr., Ohio State

Also receiving votes (listed by vote count): Coen Carr, Michigan State; Markus Burton, Indiana; Aiden Sherrell, Indiana; Tomislav Ivisic, Illinois; Nikola Kusturica, UCLA; Trent Perry, UCLA; KJ Lewis, USC; Tariq Francis, Rutgers; Stefan Vaaks, Illinois; Alijah Arenas, USC; Daniel Jacobsen, Purdue; Braden Frager, Nebraska; C.J. Cox, Purdue; Cade Tyson, Minnesota; Omer Mayer, Purdue; Eric Dailey Jr., UCLA; Jaylen Petty, UCLA; Anthony Thompson, Ohio State; JP Estrella, Michigan; Jacob Cofie, USC.

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Big Ten basketball preseason Player of the Year

Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State

Fears averaged 15.2 points and a league-leading 9.4 assists per game last season on way to a first-team All-Big Ten selection. He landed on numerous All-America teams last year and enters the 2026-27 season on shortlists for national player of the year.

Also receiving votes: David Mirkovic, Illinois; Trey McKenney, Michigan.

Big Ten basketball preseason Newcomer of the Year (non-freshman)

Stefan Vaaks, Illinois

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Publish date : 2026-10-06 11:01:00

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