This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
The Big Ten usually gets the reputation of having slow-paced, defensively oriented basketball, but that doesn't mean it can't produce players that are fantasy relevant on a nationwide scale. Last season Peter Jok of the Hawkeyes led the conference with just under 20 points per game, while Caleb Swanigan averaged well over a double-double each time out. Neither were first-round picks in Power 5 leagues, but each helped carry their owners to championship seasons. The 2017-18 season offers several players capable of matching that production, whether it be player-of-the-year candidate Miles Bridges, or several mid-round steals capable of making a mark on your roster.
Top Three Players
Miles Bridges (G/F)
Not only is Bridges expected to be the top all-around producer in Big Ten-only formats this season, but a case could be made for the Michigan State standout to be the top overall pick in Power 5 leagues. He's a consensus preseason All-American, and as long as he can avoid injury (he missed seven games last year due to an ankle ailment), Bridges will have the numbers to back it up. A product of Flint, Michigan, Bridges is the conference's leading returning scorer with a 16.9 ppg average across 28 games in 2016-17. The 6-foot-7 wing will also flirt with double-digit boards on a nightly basis, as he posted seven double-doubles last year -- five of which were in conference play. Furthermore, contributions in assists (2.1 apg), blocks (1.5 bpg) and three-point shooting (38.9 percent) give him the multi-category production
The Big Ten usually gets the reputation of having slow-paced, defensively oriented basketball, but that doesn't mean it can't produce players that are fantasy relevant on a nationwide scale. Last season Peter Jok of the Hawkeyes led the conference with just under 20 points per game, while Caleb Swanigan averaged well over a double-double each time out. Neither were first-round picks in Power 5 leagues, but each helped carry their owners to championship seasons. The 2017-18 season offers several players capable of matching that production, whether it be player-of-the-year candidate Miles Bridges, or several mid-round steals capable of making a mark on your roster.
Top Three Players
Miles Bridges (G/F)Not only is Bridges expected to be the top all-around producer in Big Ten-only formats this season, but a case could be made for the Michigan State standout to be the top overall pick in Power 5 leagues. He's a consensus preseason All-American, and as long as he can avoid injury (he missed seven games last year due to an ankle ailment), Bridges will have the numbers to back it up. A product of Flint, Michigan, Bridges is the conference's leading returning scorer with a 16.9 ppg average across 28 games in 2016-17. The 6-foot-7 wing will also flirt with double-digit boards on a nightly basis, as he posted seven double-doubles last year -- five of which were in conference play. Furthermore, contributions in assists (2.1 apg), blocks (1.5 bpg) and three-point shooting (38.9 percent) give him the multi-category production that fantasy owners crave. After a surprising decision to forego the 2017 NBA Draft -- where he would have surely been a first-round pick -- he'll return to the Spartans, making them the early favorites to win the league.
Ethan Happ (C) 
Rebounds and points may be easy to scrape together in fantasy college basketball, but Happ is the rare type of big man that helps the steals category. In fact, the 6-10 center recorded more steals (1.8 spg) than blocks (1.2 bpg) last season. That was good enough for the second-highest steals total in the conference, and was no fluke either, as it's the same mark he posted in 2015-16 as a freshman. Though his free-throw shooting took a horrid dip (50 percent) and he doesn't offer much of a jump shot, Happ's post moves are so nifty that he could wind up with Caleb Swanigan-esque numbers in his junior year. Considering the fact he missed 81 free throws last season, there's room for improvement on his 14.0 ppg scoring average as well. With the other four starters from last year's unit moving on from the program, the 2017-18 unit will go as far as Happ can carry them.
Isaac Haas (C) 
Caleb Swanigan leaves behind averages of 18.5 points and 12.5 boards with his departure to the NBA, and the 7-2 Haas is a prime candidate to pick up the slack. He was the team's second-leading scorer in 2016-17 with 12.6 ppg, even though he was on the floor for an average of less than 20 minutes per contest. The increase in minutes didn't result in more fouls (2.1 personals per contest), which bodes well for his chances of seeing the court for longer stretches in his junior campaign. Haas should feast against smaller schools in non-conference play, and even when Big Ten play commences, no center in the league comes close to matching his size. He should sport a field goal percentage near 60, and won't be a free-throw percentage liability either (71.1 percent last year). Using an early pick on a big man can be risky, but ceiling Haas provides will be well worth it.
Honorable Mentions - Robert Johnson Jr., G, Indiana; Moritz Wagner, C, Michigan; Bryant McIntosh, G, Northwestern; Jae'Sean Tate, F, Ohio State; Nate Mason, G, Minnesota
Top Newcomers
Jaren Jackson (F)The consensus highest-rated recruit in the conference, Jackson will step into Tom Izzo's program looking to make difference down low alongside fellow big man Nick Ward. Izzo may lean on the experience of Ward early on, but he won't be able to keep Jackson off the court for long. As a stretch forward, Jackson has rare shooting ability for a man of his size (6-11), which will cause matchup problems for any defense. He can hit the turnaround jumper, but use that shot to set up a drive to the lane, where he has plenty of post moves to choose from. Though Miles Bridges is expected to be the star of the show in East Lansing, Jackson will deliver scoring, rebounds (especially on the offensive glass) and blocked shots for fantasy owners. In a format where it's a requirement to start a freshman, Jackson will likely be a first-round pick, especially in Big Ten-only leagues.
Isaac Copeland (F) 
Copeland reached double figures in his first three games for Georgetown last season, but injuries and a lack of playing time began to limit his production as Big East play approached. As a result, he left the program in mid-December, but was granted a waiver by the NCAA and will be eligible for the Cornhuskers this year. Following the change of scenery, Copeland will look to channel his 2015-16 production, where he averaged 11.1 points and 5.4 boards on 42.9 percent shooting. Nebraska has a lack of size and experience in the frontcourt heading into 2017-18, so the door is open for Copeland to have the best statistical season of his college career.
Nate Reuvers (F)
The Badgers lose four starters from last year's unit, and must now begin to replace some of the scoring and rebounding left behind by the likes of Nigel Hayes and Vitto Brown. In comes Reuvers, one of just 12 Big Ten recruits to land in ESPN's top 100 for 2017. A consensus four-star prospect, the 6-10 forward out of Lakeville, Minnesota has tremendous jump shooting ability for his size, and could counteract Happ's inability to knock down midrange shots. There is some left to be desired in the rebounding department, but the matchup problems Reuters can create should earn him a starting role. He's more skilled than Alex Illikainen or Andy Van Vliet, and with Charlie Thomas not progressing as expected, the door is open for Reuvers to contribute.
Honorable Mentions - Isaiah Washington, G, Minnesota; Kobe King, F, Wisconsin; Mark Alstork, G, Illinois; Jaaron Simmons, G, Michigan
Pair of Sleepers
Justin Jackson (F)
The Melo Trimble era is finally over in Maryland, leaving the Terps in need of a new team leader and top scorer. Few have the level of all-around potential as Jackson, who averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 boards as a freshman. The 6-7 forward came off the bench in the first two games of 2016-17, but quickly showed his value and started 30 of the next 31 games. Jackson finished the year with 347 total points, and shot an impressive 43.8 percent from beyond the arc. With Trimble's 16.8 ppg scoring average up for grabs, look for Jackson to take significantly more than the eight shots per game he attempted last season.
Jordan Murphy (F) 
Murphy has been a workhorse down low for the Gophers in each of his first two seasons, and there's little reason to think he can't flirt with a double-double average once again. The 6-6 forward hit over 50 percent of his field goals in his sophomore campaign while posting averages of 11.3 points and 8.8 boards -- the latter being the fourth best mark in the conference. With another offseason to develop he could make the jump to an "elite" fantasy producer, but even if he doesn't, Murphy's floor is high enough to warrant a roster spot on draft day.
Honorable Mentions - Glynn Watson, G, Nebraska; Scottie Lindsey, G, Northwestern; Corey Sanders, G, Rutgers; Tyler Cook, F, Iowa; Cassius Winston, G, Michigan State
