2026-2027 B1G Basketball Thread

[medinabuckeye1]

Well, at least this year I get to start this post after an NCAA Tournament loss.  

The thing is that in the Portal/NIL world I don't know that we really have much of anything to talk about until we have an idea what the rosters are going to look like and that will not be for months.  

[MaximumSam]

Yeah thinking about next year is almost worthless until whenever the transfer portal madness ends. That said, I'm way more bullish about OSU next season than last year. If everyone stays they look something like:

• PG Taison Chatman or Gabe Cupps
• SG Juni Mobley
• SF Super Frosh Anthony Thompson
• PF Amare Bynum
• C Josh Ojianwuna

Devin Royal could play either forward spot. Of course, not sure he would stay to be a backup. But the primary goal seems like it would be to keep Bynum - he could be a real star next year and him paired with Thompson and Ojianwuna would give the Buckeyes some real defensive pop next year. That felt like the number one problem this year.

Of course, everyone could also leave and we could field a team of people I've never heard of. 

[bayareabadger]

UW is interesting. I know they need a point guard, and they have eight guys with the ability to return who you'd think would be reasonable rotation guys next season.

How that shakes out, lord only knows? Blackwell and Winter may test the NBA and will likely be wooed by big program offers. A bunch of other folks will have to figure out if they want to be back and the staff will have to figure out if they want to recruit over anyone. There's only one player I'd feel great about returning, but some of that is because I could see any guys from a few clusters of players wanting bigger roles or not seeing a role if they add someone. 

Gonna be a lot to watch. 

[ELA]

Michigan already knows their roster for next year, but they are keeping it super secret

[bayareabadger]

Badgers roster saw some changes at the bottom of the roster.

They had 10 possible returners, eight are guys you'd want back, two were just folks on scholarship. One of those last guys was seen as likely to leave, but now both have. 

What does this mean? Likely not much. They should add a couple freshmen, they seem to be planning to add a point and something on the wing, before filling spots for any departures. Will be interesting to see if they fill things out with interested bodies or maybe add walk-ons if those are still allowed. They likely weren't going to need the spots those guys had, but hopefully they find what they're looking for. 

[847badgerfan]

Blackwell is getting blue blood offers in the $4-5M range, according to my buddy in Madison.

He just texted me. Could get ugly in the short term.

[FearlessF]

wow, I've heard Sandford only cost UNL $800K

[bayareabadger]

Blackwell is getting blue blood offers in the $4-5M range, according to my buddy in Madison.

He just texted me. Could get ugly in the short term.

By ugly, you mean he could just leave?

I am weirdly not overly concerned about that. Well, I guess I’d maybe just factored in that it might happen and kind of accepted that reality.

[847badgerfan]

UW won't match that kind of offer. Frankly, he's not worth that kind of money (nor is anyone else, but that horse left the barn).

He's a #2 player - not a #1.

[bayareabadger]

UW won't match that kind of offer. Frankly, he's not worth that kind of money (nor is anyone else, but that horse left the barn).

He's a #2 player - not a #1.

We are a capitalist country, so you’re worth with someone will pay.

I wouldn’t like to lose him, a certain point you just have to go to market and try to get a better talent to cost ratio. They should be in the wing market anyway, so if they free up a bunch of money ideally they have some options.

it sounds like there is some want to come back to UW, But obviously an extra million or more dollars can be very impactful if handled correctly, especially with a lower pro ceiling.

[847badgerfan]

Yeah, he'll make the most money he ever will next year, regardless of where he makes it.

[medinabuckeye1]

Devin Royal could play either forward spot. Of course, not sure he would stay to be a backup. 

Apparently he is not going to stay. 

I would assume, per your suggestion above, that he saw the handwriting on the wall and is leaving for more minutes and a starting role.

Even if he was only going to be a backup ot still would have been nice to keep him as depth was an issue this past year.

[847badgerfan]

Blackwell has two tampering offers at the moment, according to my buddy and some people in boards who are connected to the hoops program.

Kentucky and fMichigan.

No decision from Blackwell yet.

[MaximumSam]

Apparently he is not going to stay.

I would assume, per your suggestion above, that he saw the handwriting on the wall and is leaving for more minutes and a starting role.

Even if he was only going to be a backup ot still would have been nice to keep him as depth was an issue this past year.

I'm taking it as good news on the Bynum staying front.