In recent years, Big Ten basketball has surpassed Big Ten football in terms of depth and national relevance. That trend continues this season as the league boasts a national title contender in Wisconsin. It's anybody's guess where everyone else will finish, as there's a pack of about nine teams with promise but also inexperience.
With the season set to begin this weekend, here's why each team will be relevant-and why they won't. (Teams listed in order of projected finish.)
1. WISCONSIN
Why they'll be relevant: Ranked No. 3 in the preseason AP poll, the Badgers are the consensus favorite. Also, center Frank Kaminsky was named Big Ten player of the year in a preseason poll.
Why they won't: Beyond Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, there's no "next level" talent. A team with lots of "one and done" talent could hand the Badgers an early elimination from March Madness.
Quotable:"One day I will be put on an NBA roster, but that doesn't happen right away for most people. Especially for a 7-foot white kid with average athleticism."
-Badgers center Frank Kaminsky
2. MICHIGAN
Why they'll be relevant: The Wolverines have young talent, the conference's most NBA-ready player (Caris LeVert) and best celebrity fan (Kate Upton).
Why they won't: Michigan lost more talent to graduation/NBA early entry than anybody. A third consecutive Elite 8 appearance is a lot to ask for this bunch.
Quotable:"I don't know who I let talk me into that one."
-Wolverines guard Spike Albrecht, on his tweet inviting Upton to attend another game
3. NEBRASKA
Why they'll be relevant: One of the best teams in school history returns everybody who's relevant. Coach Tim Miles has built a solid program and "won" every press conference with sense of humor.
Why they won't: Nebrasketball still has never won a NCAA tournament game. The state's year-round football obsession makes the Huskers an afterthought.
Quotable:"If I say enough dumb stuff, we'll have rivalries."
-Cornhuskers coach Tim Miles
4. MICHIGAN STATE
Why they'll be relevant: The Spartans are the league's primary traditional power. With their rebounding and defense, no such thing as a "down year."
Why they won't: MSU's roster is much less talented this year than most, so they'll have to outwork everybody to stay in contention.
Quotable:"[Matt] Costello gets mono. Quit kissing girls on campus, I don't know. Then [Branden] Dawson punches a table. Be a little smarter. Punch a pillow."
-Spartans coach Tom Izzo, on last year's non-basketball-related injuries.
5. OHIO STATE
Why they'll be relevant: The Buckeyes always produce solid regular seasons and great conference tournament showings. Now they add the league's best newcomer in D'Angelo Russell.
Why they won't: The postseason has seen mixed results lately for coach Thad Matta's teams. Most of the scoring is gone from last year's offense, which was mediocre to begin with.
Quotable:"I think people have to find something to complain about. What are we averaging, 28 wins a year in 10 years at Ohio State? I think we have a pretty good sense of what we're doing. We got it."
-Buckeyes coach Thad Matta
6. ILLINOIS
Why they'll be relevant: Guard Rayvonte Rice is a true scorer who attacks the basket like Derrick Rose. Illinois has added perimeter shooters who could open up driving lanes for Rice.
Why they won't: The Illini have lots of good guards and wings, but where does everyone fit? Too bad the NCAA doesn't allow trades, because the Illini would be helped by exchanging some guards for some forwards.
Quotable:"You could see all of a sudden like boiling water when it reaches that point of 212 degrees it turns into steam."
-Illini coach John Groce, on the team's freshmen developing last year
7. MINNESOTA
Why they'll be relevant: The son also rises. The much younger coach Richard Pitino brought an NIT "championship" to Minnesota in his first season.
Why they won't: Being champions of the "Not Invited Tournament" is oxymoronic. Minnesota seems to sweat every Selection Sunday and their frontcourt issues make that likely again.
Quotable:"Winning the NIT, it's just a weird . Nobody knows how to handle it. Do you brag about it? Do you talk about it? You know, the Big Ten guy didn't even put it in the notes."
-Golden Gophers coach Richard Pitino
8. MARYLAND
Why they'll be relevant: The Terrapins have the league's most recent national title (2002), though they won that in the ACC. McDonald's All-American Melo Trimble takes over point guard duties and continues the Maryland tradition of star players with awesome names (Exree Hipp, D.J. Strawberry, Laron Profit, etc.).
Why they won't: Five players transferred out, further stalling coach Mark Turgeon's rebuilding project. With just two tourney appearances since 2007, Maryland basketball is in a decline.
Quotable:"Coach Turgeon has preached, preached, preached that defense is going to be our main objective the whole year."
-Terrapins guard Melo Trimble
9. IOWA
Why they'll be relevant: The Hawkeyes' depth earns them a spot in Top 25 of the coaches' poll. With Ohio State's Aaron Craft gone, a new Aaron-Iowa's White, that is-becomes the player everyone loves to hate; and that's a tremendous compliment.
Why they won't: Fran McCaffery's team finished 1-7 down the stretch, with that lone win coming over last-place Purdue. And their best player (Roy Devyn Marble) is now on the Orlando Magic.
Quotable:"I love Franny, but I can't wait to get rid of Aaron."
-Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, on the Hawkeyes' Aaron White
10. INDIANA
Why they'll be relevant: Guard Yogi Ferrell is one of the league's best. He will coalesce well with perhaps the nation's best freshman sharpshooter, James Blackmon.
Why they won't: Coach Tom Crean is basically basketball's Ron Zook: a superior recruiter and inferior strategist. He's also lost almost all of his big men and might need to play four guards at times this season.
Quotable:"It makes me look good when I find him and he knocks it down, and he looks good."
-Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell, on playing with James Blackmon
11. PURDUE
Why they'll be relevant: The Boilermakers have two 7-footers, including one who should be an NBA first-round draft pick (A.J. Hammons).
Why they won't: Hammons has been inconsistent and underachieving. Purdue also has potential issues with foul shooting, turnovers and inexperience at point guard.
Quotable:"The media ranked us kind of low. I don't think they have faith in our team. That's cool. That's great. When we come out, we'll show 'em what we can do."
-Boilermakers center A.J. Hammons
12. NORTHWESTERN
Why they'll be relevant: Chris Collins, an apprentice of the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, has recruited well. JerShon Cobb's name is showing up in NBA mock drafts.
Why they won't: Krzyzewski's coaching tree has underwhelmed. Watching NU run its half-court offense can often is as entertaining as paying utility bills.
Quotable:"In today's day and age where everybody is trying to cut each other's throats, I feel a fraternity of coaches in this conference."
-Wildcats coach Chris Collins
13. PENN STATE
Why they'll be relevant: D.J. Newbill is an underrated star. Coach Patrick Chambers is excited about his new "leadership council."
Why they won't: It's never a good sign when most of the preseason talk is about a leadership council. Point guard and 3-point shooting are major weaknesses.
Quotable:"Calling guys out for picking up the trash is something that gets overlooked, but now that I'm head of the locker room, I have to tell guys when to clean up."
-Nittany Lions forward Brandon Taylor, on being a team captain
14. RUTGERS
Why they'll be relevant: The Scarlet Knights could make the nation's No. 1 market, New York City, watch Big Ten basketball.
Why they won't: The Mike Rice scandal destroyed this program, and Rutgers wasn't March Madness material to begin with. Lots of players have transferred out.
Quotable:"I just want to get better every day. I know it's cliche and boring to you guys."
-Scarlet Knights coach Eddie Jordan, on preseason expectations
Paul M. Banks is a RedEye special contributor.