This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
Unlike a lot of the "power" conferences in college basketball, the Big Ten gets most of their top fantasy producers from upperclassmen -- as opposed to incoming freshman. Consistent double-double threats such as Jordan Murphy and Ethan Happ will be taken atop Big Ten-only drafts, and even warrant a first-round spot in nationwide formats. While the Hoosiers will put forth their best effort to change this trend with one of the conference's only "elite" recruits, the meat and potatoes of any Big Ten roster will have returning players, which makes the land of the midwest a bit easier to forecast from a fantasy perspective.
While I take a closer look at Indiana's Romeo Langford below, the majority of other features are players with a year or two under their belts. It was the same way in 2017-18, where second-year player Tony Carr led the league in scoring (19.6 PPG) and senior Keita Bates-Diop was arguably the conferences fantasy MVP. I predict nearly a mirror image in 2018-19, with Purdue's Carson Edwards poised to take the scoring title, and a pair of seniors in Happ and Murphy neck and neck in the Player of the Year running.
Center: Nick Ward, C, Michigan State
This spot would have gone to Wisconsin's Ethan Happ, but with Happ technically listed as a forward by default in most formats and an obvious top fantasy play, we transition to Ward (who could very well have the same problem, depending on your format of choice). On the
Unlike a lot of the "power" conferences in college basketball, the Big Ten gets most of their top fantasy producers from upperclassmen -- as opposed to incoming freshman. Consistent double-double threats such as Jordan Murphy and Ethan Happ will be taken atop Big Ten-only drafts, and even warrant a first-round spot in nationwide formats. While the Hoosiers will put forth their best effort to change this trend with one of the conference's only "elite" recruits, the meat and potatoes of any Big Ten roster will have returning players, which makes the land of the midwest a bit easier to forecast from a fantasy perspective.
While I take a closer look at Indiana's Romeo Langford below, the majority of other features are players with a year or two under their belts. It was the same way in 2017-18, where second-year player Tony Carr led the league in scoring (19.6 PPG) and senior Keita Bates-Diop was arguably the conferences fantasy MVP. I predict nearly a mirror image in 2018-19, with Purdue's Carson Edwards poised to take the scoring title, and a pair of seniors in Happ and Murphy neck and neck in the Player of the Year running.
Center: Nick Ward, C, Michigan State
This spot would have gone to Wisconsin's Ethan Happ, but with Happ technically listed as a forward by default in most formats and an obvious top fantasy play, we transition to Ward (who could very well have the same problem, depending on your format of choice). On the heels of an efficient season in which Ward averaged 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds across just 18.9 minutes, Ward had his NBA Draft status evaluated, but ultimately elected to return for his junior season. As long as he can stay out of foul trouble, that minutes total should grow tremendously following the departure of forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. (NBA), Gavin Schilling (graduation) and Ben Carter (graduation). Miles Bridges also took his 7.1 rpg average to the NBA, which leaves plenty of room for Ward to clean up on the glass, while also making meaningful contributions in the scoring and blocks categories.
Also Considered: Bruno Fernando, Maryland; Mike Watkins (personal), Penn State; Luka Garza (abdomen), Iowa; Matt Haarms, Purdue
Freshman: Romeo Langford, G, Indiana
As noted in the introduction, the Big Ten failed to bring in many five-star recruits as a conference. Langford is the exception. By most sites that measure prospective freshman performance, the 6-foot-6 Langford is a top-10 overall prospect. He'll fit right in with the Hoosiers following the departure of second-leading scoring Robert Johnson, and pair well with forward Juwan Morgan to create a formidable inside-outside combination. Though he didn't shoot well from beyond the arc in high school, it's an area that has room to improve. Even if it does not, few can close the distance to the paint from the perimeter like Langford, and his overall two-point percentage should be well above average. His 6-10 wingspan should help produce blocks and steals, which can be rare from the backcourt positions in fantasy. In leagues that require a freshman in the lineup (and even a few that don't), Langford should be a first-round pick.
Also Considered: Jalen Smith, F, Maryland; Aaron Wiggins, F, Maryland; Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois; Marcus Bingham, F, Michigan St.
Scoring: Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue
Edwards was the third-leading scoring in the Big Ten last season at 18.5 ppg, trailing only the now-departed Tony Carr and Keita Bates-Diop. The 6-1 guard converted 45.8 percent of his field goals and 40.6 percent of his three-pointers, but ultimately decided to return to the Boilermakers after getting his NBA Draft stock evaluated. Opposing defenses will devote more attention to Edwards in his junior year, as four of Purdue's top-5 scorers have departed from the program. Expect a dip in efficiency, but the volume will be there for Edwards to potentially finish as the conference's top fantasy producer.
Also Considered: James Palmer, G, Nebraska; Ethan Happ, F, Wisconsin; Romeo Langford, G, Indiana; Jordan Murphy, F, Minnesota; Charles Matthews, G, Michigan; Geo Baker, G, Rutgers
Rebounding: Jordan Murphy, F, Minnesota
Murphy took the title of top Big Ten fantasy option after averaging a double-double in 2017-18 with 16.8 points and 11.3 rebounds. He attempted a three-pointer per game as well, converting at a rate of 31.4 percent. The senior will also help fantasy owners in the ratio categories, as he hit a career-best 52.5 percent from the field last season, while converting 69.9 percent of his free throws. Minnesota returns most key members of their rotation from a season ago (with the exception of Nate Mason), so look for Murphy to play a similar role. Highly-touted freshman center Daniel Oturu (shoulder) should also help on the glass, but is unlikely to make an early enough impact to cut into Murphy's statistical totals.
Also Considered: Ethan Happ, F, Wisconsin; Juwan Morgan, F, Indiana; Tyler Cook, F, Iowa; Kaleb Wesson, C, Ohio State; Nick Ward, C, Michigan State; Isaac Copeland, F, Nebraska; Vic Law, F, Northwestern
Assists: Cassius Winston, G, Michigan State
Winston led the conference in assists last season with 6.9 dimes per contest, and the biggest threat to a repeat is the loss of key players Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson to the NBA. He'll need role players Joshua Langford and Matt McQuaid to step up their offensive game, but will still have a quality post presence to rely on in Nick Ward. There will be room for Winston to increase his scoring output as well, as he's coming off a season where he shot career-bests in field goal percentage (50.7) and free throw percentage (90.0). Should he maintain those marks with increased shots, Winston has a good chance to finish as a top-five fantasy option in the Big Ten. He can also be relied on for a modest rebounding contribution from a guard spot after averaging 3.4 boards per contest in his sophomore campaign.
Also Considered: Jordan Bohannon, G, Iowa; C.J. Jackson, G, Ohio State; Anthony Cowan, G, Maryland; Zavier Simpson, G, Michigan; Glynn Watson Jr., G, Nebraska; Trent Frazier, G, Illinois; D'Mitrik Trice/Brad Davison, G, Wisconsin
Sleepers
Lamar Stevens, F, Penn State
Stevens won't blow away fantasy owners in any particular category, but will provide above-average scoring and rebounding along with modest contributions in assists and blocks. After going for 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds in his sophomore campaign, he's a candidate to break out following the departures of Tony Carr (19.6 ppg) and Shep Garner (11.4 ppg). With center Mike Watkins (12.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg) in a bit of legal trouble, the 6-8 Stevens could be counted on more on the glass as well.
Isaac Copeland, F, Nebraska
This one is hardly a sleeper, as Copeland is a top fantasy player that just couldn't make the cut for top scorer or rebounder, and isn't awarded center eligibility in most formats. The Georgetown transfer averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in his first year as a Cornhusker, and will return for his final collegiate campaign after making a brief run at the NBA. Another year with a similar supporting cast that includes Glynn Watson Jr. and James Palmer could help Copeland's efficiency numbers even further.
Geo Baker, G, Rutgers
While the Scarlet Knights are projected to finish at or near the bottom of the conference, they still need to get their points somewhere. In steps Baker, who has plenty of potential to break out following a freshman season where he posted a scoring total 10.8 ppg. The team lost three-time leading scoring Corey Sanders to the NBA, and while Quinnipiac transfer Peter Kiss should step in and provide shooting as well, it will be Baker with the ball in his hands the most.
Also Considered: Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois; Jon Teske, C, Michigan; Joshua Langford, G, Michigan State; Isaiah Washington, G, Minnesota; Amir Coffey, G/F, Minnesota; Ryan Taylor, G, Northwestern; Keyshawn Woods, G, Ohio State; Josh Reaves, G, Penn State; Eugene Omoruyi, F, Rutgers; Brad Davison, G, Wisconsin
Top-10
* 1. Jordan Murphy, F, Minnesota
2. Carsen Edwards, G, Purdue
3. Ethan Happ, F, Wisconsin
4. Juwan Morgan, F, Indiana
5. Romero Langford, G, Indiana
6. James Palmer, G, Nebraska
7. Cassius Winston, G, Michigan State
8. Lamar Stevens, F, Penn State
9. Nick Ward, C, Michigan State
10. Tyler Cook, F, Iowa
**Note: These rankings are at the discretion of the article author, and may not necessarily correspond with RotoWire's official 2018-19 player rankings.
