2025-26 Big Ten Conference Preview
The No Ceilings team continues their annual tradition of Conference Previews, today with the Big Ten.
The start of the college basketball season is right around the corner, and the NBA season kicked off last night. While some of the top overseas prospects have already started their seasons internationally, the NCAA players are working through their exhibition games before the 2025-26 season officially begins.
Before that, though, we’re diving deep into the 2026 NBA Draft class with our traditional conference preview roundtables. Without further ado, here is our fourth conference roundtable on the Big Ten.
Enjoy, No Ceilings family!
1. Ignore “consensus” boards and Twitter groupthink. Who is the best NBA prospect in this conference?
Rucker: I have a feeling we could have a popular answer for this one. It’s going to be Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz for me. The Drake transfer had some jaw-dropping production and film last year. Regardless of being an older upperclassman, if Stirtz can replicate last year’s production at a higher competition level…he’s going to have fans in NBA front offices.
Maxwell: It’s Bennett Stirtz for me. I get it, he’s old. He’s also an excellent shooter, a great finisher, a passing wizard, and a guy who finds a way to impact the game defensively. I think he’s going to be an awesome NBA guard for a very long time.
Metcalf: It’s Stirtz for me, but to mix it up some I’ll go with Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg is an older prospect, but the guy can flat-out play. We saw what Dusty May did with Danny Wolf last season, and it’s not ridiculous to think Lendeborg could be in for a similar year. We already got a taste of how Lendeborg can take over a game on offense in their scrimmage against Cincinnati. If he continues to be a confident shooter and more consistent defender, Lendeborg could lock himself into the first round despite any potential hesitations with his age.
Stephen: Bennett Stirtz is the guy for me. Some will tell you he parallels Tyrese Haliburton. Some will say LaMelo Ball. Some may have the audacity to invoke the name of Stephen Curry. Those sorts of comps simply must place you fairly highly within your draft class. Stirtz provides oodles of offensive value. He can dice up defenses on the ball as a playmaker, while he also spaces the floor with crazy shooting touch and range. On defense, he’ll even give some value with smart hands, solid effort, and the ability to jump passing lanes. Yeah, he’s “old” comparatively speaking, but not many (if any) in this class are as potent as putting the ball in the basket.
Corey: It’s Bennett Stirtz for me as well. It’s hard to find any flaws within his offensive profile. He can get a bucket from anywhere on the floor, and there aren’t many players who can leverage that scoring gravity to make plays for his teammates better than Stirtz can. To manage his efficiency with his workload and offensive responsibility, while also never getting subbed out for rest, is so impressive. He’s basically a cybernetic basketball machine sent from the future to wreak havoc on defenses. There will be questions about his age and if he can keep up his play while stepping up a level in competition, but consider me a believer. Stirtz is an easy lotto…scratch that top 10 guy for me heading into the year.
Jacob: I’m going with Yaxel Lendeborg. I was dangerously high on him last year, and that hasn’t changed. The past two seasons at UAB, Yaxel dominated. Now, playing for Dusty May’s Michigan Wolverines, I have unwavering confidence that his game translates. Yaxel’s versatility pops. He possesses an infectious energy, juvinating his teammates. What separates him on the defensive end is his use of size, length, and mobility to disrupt actions. Most of the damage done on offense comes in the paint on post-ups and backdoor cuts. For a 6’9” big, Yaxel portrays natural feel as a playmaker. There’s notable progress in the jumper, both on spot-ups and off the catch. Yaxel commands the boards, leveraging his frame and intensity. Whether he has the foot speed to create and guard at the next level remains a question, but he has all the makings of a well-rounded player.
Rowan: There aren’t many slam dunk freshmen in the Big Ten this year, but even if there were, Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz wouldn’t have much competition. As an honorary mention on multiple All-American teams, Stirtz was a dominant driving force last season behind Drake’s standout performance in the Missouri Valley Conference. He’s a maestro with the ball in his hands, able to manipulate defenses with his pace and eyes, and strikes the perfect balance between attacking and creating for others. While it’s a great year for point guards in college basketball, Stirtz may just be the best and may be the best returning prospect in the conference.
Nathan: At this current moment in time, I don’t have a different answer from the group than Bennett Stirtz at Iowa. Stirtz helped lead Drake to an incredible mid-major record, and he played his part in helping to craft one of the best offensive attacks in college basketball. While not the strongest built guard, Stirtz has solid height for his position, which allows him to see over defenders. He’s a wizard handling the basketball, plays a selfless style of offense, and can make some ridiculous shots off the bounce. He’s crafty, poised, and not the least bit afraid of what defenses can throw at him. There’s a world where Stirtz ends up being a Top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Nick: While the Bennett Stirtz breakout at Iowa seems imminent, I’m going to go with Yaxel Lendeborg for this one. He switches and disrupts on defense with the best of them, his offensive game continues to expand, and he’s an absolute menace on the glass in a way that few players even can be. I can’t wait to see how his playmaking on both ends of the floor translates for the Michigan Wolverines.
2. Admittedly, one of the most satisfying parts of analyzing the draft is being able to look back and say, “Psh, about time you guys took notice of him. I’ve been hyping him up for ages.” Who is the prospect that you are irrationally high on?
Rucker: I have a weird feeling I’m going to go to bat for the upperclassmen in this preview. I’m going to say Michigan Wolverines incoming transfer Yaxel Lendeborg. I’m still a fan of the tools and think Michigan could be a fantastic place for him to showcase his talents. Lendeborg will be an older prospect, and we know how that goes on the night of the draft. However, that same thinking could get me even more excited about his potential impact at the next level. He’s a tough-minded forward with a little bit of versatility in a bundle of areas on both sides of the ball. If the shot can be consistent on higher volume, as well as the defense turning up a little…someone could get great value for their roster.
Maxwell: Yaxel Lendeborg is a former No Stone Unturned prospect, so I gotta show him some love here. He’s an outstanding playmaker for a guy his size, especially when you account for the fact that he barely played organized basketball prior to college. It’s hard to find late bloomers who are so far ahead of their peers mentally. He’s also a versatile defender with a relentless motor. I’m a hair worried about how he’ll score in the Big Ten and if he can iron out his jump shot. But I’ve long been Yax-pilled, and I will continue to be until proven otherwise.
Metcalf: Morez Johnson rocks. Admittedly, I didn’t think he was going to be much coming out of high school. Whoops. I haven’t done as big of a 180 on a player in some time. Johnson’s motor, athleticism, and physicality can make him a game wrecker on either end of the floor. He’s impossible to keep off the glass and has insane defensive versatility for someone his size. I also think there is a lot of offensive upside with him as well. When I saw him in person last year, he was draining threes in warmups. I know, it’s just warmups, but he wasn’t just screwing around. The reps he was taking were at game speed in specific situations like pick-and-pop, running in transition, and trail threes. It’ll be fascinating to see if he can unlock more of that at Michigan this year, but his rebounding, rim running, and defense alone are enough to fall in love with. I also need to throw in quick shoutouts for LJ Cason at Michigan and Isaac Asuma at Minnesota, who I think could also have major breakout seasons.
Stephen: John Blackwell had a strong finish to his season last year, and I am pretty high on him returning to Wisconsin this year. Many of the switchblade guards (hey, Chuck) who make it in the NBA give such utility on teams with jumbo creators, and Blackwell checks a lot of those boxes. He is strong. He is versatile on defense. He makes good decisions. While he wasn’t super efficient from deep last season, he showed good volume and shot very well the year prior. If last season is any indication as to how he performs this year, John will be a first round talent in the eyes of many NBA teams.
Corey: I will continue to go to bat for John Mobley Jr. Of course, there are questions. Mobley is on the smaller side–at the NBA level, he will be a target defensively, and it has led to some finishing issues due to his ground-bound playstyle. I just think that when you are one of the premier shooting prospects in the entire world, then there is a path for you to the NBA. I mean, 39% shooting on a diverse shot profile at huge volume (13 3PT/100) paired with 88% shooting at the free-throw line is elite territory. Once Ohio State put the ball in Juni’s hands more, in lieu of Bruce Thorton, they’ll take off.
Jacob: I tend to be higher on Tomislav Ivisic than most, currently having a first round grade on him. Ivisic is a natural fit in modern five-out systems thanks to his extended range and strong screen setting. He’s an ideal pick-and-roll partner, forcing defenses to make tough decisions. Ivisic either sets a strong screen and quickly pops beyond the arc for a spot-up three, or dives to the rim for a finish. When inside, his strong ball control complements his soft touch, as one of the NCAA’s premier finishers last season. He may not be the most agile; however, he anchors himself well and doesn’t get beaten up. This lack of lateral speed hurts him on the perimeter, as he struggles defending guards and wings in space. Sure, that’ll hurt his stock. However, he’s got a hard archetype to pass on.
Rowan: He saw his stardom and notoriety grow while playing internationally this summer, but Washington’s Hannes Steinbach has been a favorite of mine for a while. It’s hard to find big men who can help an offense flow, protect the rim on one end, and then be a positive force on the other, all while doing so with a graceful athletic profile. That’s what Steinbach will bring to the Huskies, who should also see their team’s profile rise with a great roster that’s going to be further accentuated by Steinbach’s greatness inside.
Nathan: Hannes Steinbach has me very intrigued this upcoming season. The 6’10” forward is headed to Washington, and he has several high-profile guards and wings to play off of offensively. While much more of a play finisher at this point in his career, Steinbach will have plenty of lob opportunities, and he will thrive as a screen-and-roll threat in the halfcourt. In FIBA play this summer, Steinbach showed a willingness to work on expanding his range, and I’d expect him to let some threes fly in the Big Ten. But as far as certainties go, Steinbach has a relentless motor on the glass, and runs the floor HARD. He can get up off two feet, which helps him protect the rim as a small-ball big. Steinbach could absolutely get taken in the first round of the 2026 draft.
Nick: It almost feels like cheating to say this, given that he’s never exactly been under the radar, but Andrej Stojakovic is my pick here. He took some serious strides forward last year at Cal, especially as a scoring threat. His percentage from deep has not quite matched up to what his shot looks like, and I think that he could be in for a big breakout this year at Illinois if his percentages from beyond the arc start to match up more with the rest of his scoring arsenal.
3. Unfortunately, there are two sides to that coin, and they do not have equal probabilities. Which prospect do you like but think has the most likely chance of failing to meet expectations?
Rucker: Incoming Indiana transfer Tucker DeVries is a joy to watch on the basketball court. But I’m struggling to see a realistic type of season that could get him back in serious NBA Draft prospect convos. Tucker can shoot the crap out of the ball, and he’s a competitive talent who continues to overachieve. However, he’s also struggled to stay healthy throughout his collegiate career. There’s still a chance he could get a flier at the next level, but Tucker is going to have to have a heck of a year for the Hoosiers to generate that buzz again. Indiana could need to rely on him a lot early, which could be tough to maintain the efficiency.
Maxwell: John Blackwell has been a super buzzy name lately, and I don’t totally get it. He can definitely score, and he’s super shifty. I just have real doubts about whether or not A) he’s good enough at that for it to be an NBA-level, go-to skill and B) he has enough to offer outside of it. He needs to show more as a passer and even more than that as a defender. People are raving about him behind the scenes, so there’s a real chance I look like a dope for this take in a month. But I want to see more before hopping on the bandwagon.
Metcalf: I’ve never gotten the infatuation with Zvonimir Ivisic. It’s cool that he’s that big and can shoot like that, and I think Illinois could run some fun stuff with him out there with his brother. It has just always felt like he shows up once every ten games. The defensive consistency is a mess, and I’m not sure what he brings on offense other than spot-up shooting. The flashes and highlights are a blast, but everything that comes between those leaves me wanting so much more.
Stephen: Hannes Steinbach is a player that I thought was interesting coming into this cycle, but man, the expectations that are coming as a result of a solid Euro Basket tournament have become fairly large. Hannes is listed at 6’9”, which isn’t great for a center who is predominantly an under-the-basket finisher. He does have some good feel, which gives him some utility. He also has a good amount of work to do on defense. I’m not saying he can’t make the draft this year; I’m just a little bit more reserved on where I’m ranking him.
Corey: I think there is a chance that Yaxel Lendeborg may fall victim to being the old guy who beat up on lower competition. Yax is a super exciting prospect who was a monster box score filler—to the point that I don’t think it’d be completely shocking if he put up a 5x5 game. However, I’m not 100% sure how much of the scoring and creation is translatable. Of course, we saw Danny Wolf look like a whole new guy once he put on a Michigan jersey, so I think it’s totally reasonable to assume Yax could take the same kind of leap. I’m just entering with some skepticism in case he doesn’t dominate.
Jacob: I’m skeptical of Alvaro Folguerias. He’s for sure a sniper, with clean mechanics and a quick release. He initiated offense playing the five at Robert Morris while effectively rebounding the ball. But, being real: that was the Horizon League. The Big Ten has a drastic edge in competition level and physicality. His rigid mobility, minimal burst, and lack of verticality will hold him back on both ends. Iowa will be tasking him to match up with some talented forwards this upcoming season, potentially exposing the athletic gap. Folguerias will really have to lean in on his shooting and passing talent to stay afloat in draft conversations.
Rowan: I’ve been a huge fan of Tucker DeVries since he played at Drake, but after some cumulative injuries and moves, I’m not sure he’ll get to thrive as much as he needs at Indiana. The Hoosiers have a mishmashed roster of good players who don’t fit well together, which will put undue pressure on DeVries to score a lot of points every night to stay in games. That’ll lead to depressed efficiency numbers and won’t show NBA teams anything they haven’t seen before, all of which could lead to a deflation of his draft stock.
Nathan: Aday Mara has made a trip out to Michigan after spending multiple seasons at UCLA, but I’m not entirely sure it’s going to help his draft stock one way or the other. Both Morez Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg are better frontcourt players in my mind, and should play their way into the most minutes at their respective positions. Mara could end up being a change-of-pace substitution depending on the matchups, but I just find it hard to believe he’s conditioned well enough to play a lion’s share of the available minutes at center compared to someone like Johnson, or even Lendeborg in smaller looks. I’m fascinated to see how Mara’s season unfolds.
Nick: I suppose this question depends on whose expectations the prospects in question are being held up to, but I was a huge believer in Aday Mara heading into his first season at UCLA. Then, he was just…invisible. He looked better in limited minutes last year, especially defensively, but not enough to where I think it’s likely that he lives up to the loftiest expectations that some people have for him this season at Michigan.
4. The shiny new thing is always the most enticing to go after, but there is always a ton of value in older prospects. Based on their previous college seasons, which returning player are you most excited to watch, and who has the best NBA potential?
Rucker: There’s something legit in Wisconsin that we all need to keep an eye on. Don’t overlook John Blackwell. He’s become a popular name generating some “buzz” throughout the offseason, and I think Blackwell could be a name that starts to heat up in the scouting world.
Maxwell: I’m really interested to see what Alvaro Folgueiras looks like at Iowa. On paper, he checks a ton of NBA boxes. He’s 6’9”, he can shoot, he can finish, he’s got some real ball skills, he rebounds, and his length/feel combo goes a long way on defense. Still, he was Rocky in FIBA play, and the physicality of the Big Ten could impose a new set of challenges. I’m really interested to see him in a new context. If he clicks at Iowa, he’ll stand out as one of the most plug-and-play, versatile prospects in the country.
Metcalf: I’m fascinated to see Wesley Yates III in a better situation. He had an awesome end to last season, and he should fit really well on this Washington team. Yates was a lights-out shooter last year; hopefully, we get to see a little more versatility in both his shot selection and offensive creation. I think Washington could be pretty good this year, and Yates should be a big reason why.
Stephen: I could not be more excited for Alvaro Folgueiras! Bennett Stirtz–Alvaro’s new teammate in Iowa–is going to garner a ton of attention, but Folgueiras could greatly benefit by playing alongside him. At Robert Morris, Folgueiras shows a ton of versatility by balancing his inside and outside scoring. His rebounding was awesome all season, which can be a very strong indicator of NBA success. Despite not likely being a crazy, high-end defender in the NBA, he averaged 2.6 stocks per game. Being 6’10” and a 41% shooter from deep is awesome in and of itself, but he also averaged 3.2 assists per game, which is nice too. I just can’t wait to see what sort of scheme Ben McCollum employs with Stirtz and Folgueiras.
Corey: I already mentioned one small guard that will surely give Maxwell a heart attack, and I’m gonna do it again, baby. Give me some Braden Smith stock! I’ve gotten a chance to watch Smith in person for years and I leave every game a bigger believer. At some point it’s just hard to deny that the dude is leading one of the top teams in the nation year in, year out, whilst putting up both monster counting stats and advanced stats. He is arguably the highest feel play in the class, an excellent shooter, guards despite his size, and plays his ass off. It may take a few stops but he’s carving out a role for himself in the league somewhere.
Jacob: I get the sense Bennett Stirtz is slightly overhyped, considering the comparisons I’ve seen on social media, but it’s hard not to get excited about him. I’ll keep it brief, since most of the crew already hit the nail on the head. Stirtz is among the class’s most skilled, crafty, and efficient prospects. The cerebral guard elevates his teammates, playing within the flow of the offense and executing sharp passes. He’s a sound outside shooter who hits shots on and off the ball. Soft touch and strong coordination make him dynamic below-the-rim. The athletic questions will remain, but the talent is undeniable.
Rowan: It was a win-win decision for Yaxel Lendeborg between entering the 2025 draft or returning to Michigan. Although I thought he was worthy of a first round selection last year, I know he will be this year. Lendeborg’s hard-nosed defense, steady offensive processing, and zealous pursuit of the basketball will all lead Michigan in plays that do and don’t show up on the box score. He’ll need to round out his scoring a bit more to lock in his draft status, but even if he doesn’t, I could see Lendeborg playing a key role off the bench for an NBA squad in the near future.
Nathan: I could absolutely wax poetic about Yaxel Lendeborg in this section, but I want to quickly throw out Wesley Yates as a deep sleeper in the Big Ten. Headed to Washington after an under-the-radar season at USC, I was really impressed with how Yates succeeded as a shot maker for the Trojans. I got to see him in person against Rutgers, and he really stepped up as the best offensive player on the team. I do want to see more from him as a playmaker before I firmly put him in Top 45 territory on my board, but the shot-making is good enough to get him there. When he’s on a heater, it’s very reminiscent of what I’ve seen from two other guard prospects I was able to scout up close in Coby White and Jordan Poole.
Nick: Alvaro Folgueiras is exactly the kind of prospect who I tend to get enticed by too easily–if a big man is a superlative passer who can also shoot, I’ll automatically have them about 10 spots too high. With Folgueiras, the shooting isn’t theoretical, either; he knocked down 41% of his triples last season on a healthy volume of attempts. The defensive questions still remain, especially given the up-transfer from Robert Morris, but I’m really looking forward to him dishing out some crazy dimes to Bennett Stirtz and others this season.
5. Whether it’s Anthony Edwards dropping 37 points against Michigan State, or Austin Rivers ripping the heart out of UNC fans, or De’Aaron Fox vs. Lonzo Ball, fans are provided with mesmerizing matchups and performances every season. Which matchup, whether team vs. team, player vs. player, or player vs. team, are you most looking forward to watching?
Rucker: I’m going to go a little wild with this one—UCLA vs Arizona on November 14th. One of my guys, Donovan Dent, is going to battle with Arizona and their talented backcourt. It could be the opportunity for Dent to finally get the respect that he deserves. No? Okay, I can keep dreaming.
Maxwell: Give me Michigan vs. Illinois on 2/27. Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara vs. The Ivisic Brothers. The Battle of The Big Boys. If basketball doesn’t work out for them, this could be a pro wrestling main event in any arena in the country. I don’t recall the last time there were four guys this big with a genuine NBA chance and so much skill all on the same floor at the same time.
Metcalf: On February 21st, you’ll need to put the kids to bed, get the popcorn ready, and strap in for Michigan vs Duke. I cannot wait for that game.
Stephen: Basketball and Draft Sickos should be GLUED to their screens on November 25th. Creighton will square off with Iowa in Vegas during the Players Era Men’s Championship. I touched on Stirtz and Alvaro for Iowa, and you likely already saw Blake Harper of Creighton’s name on here. Owen Freeman–who played for Iowa–is another name for Creighton, as well as Jackson McAndrew. The Bluejays also have Josh Dix, who has fans, and Hudson Greer, a sleeper freshman. You’ll get your mix of fun offense, draft implications, and some “hey, is this guy a sleeper?” opportunities.
Jacob: I tend to stay within conference matches for this question, so I’ll follow suit with Michigan at Purdue on February 17th. Aside from being the two Big Ten favorites, both teams are deep with potential NBA guys, whether it be this draft or the future. Braden Smith vs. Elliot Cadeau is an awesome floor general matchup. Yaxel Lendeborg gets the chance to take on Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff down low. We might even see two giants, Daniel Jacobson and Aday Mara, match up with each other. Add into the mix some interesting freshmen in Omer Mayer and Trey McKinney, and we’ve got a premier matchup with actual draft implications.
Rowan: You can call me a biased homer if you want, but you can’t deny that Washington’s early clash with Baylor won’t be a great game to scout. The Huskies are hungry to improve under new coach Danny Sprinkle, and they may have their best roster of the 2020s. They’ll have to face off against a remade Bears team that features an NC favorite in Tounde Yessoufou, but there should be ample opportunities for both squads to prove their early worth in the season.
Nathan: I want to see Michigan vs. Duke in February. I’ll be trying to make my way to Washington, D.C. for that one, as the matchup between Yaxel Lendeborg and Cameron Boozer is one I have double circled. Will Boozer be able to dominate a forward like Yaxel physically? And can Lendeborg pull some clever craft out of his bag to get Boozer in foul trouble and put him in a bind around the basket defensively? Seeing those two go against each other is a great test for their NBA futures.
Nick: Michigan vs. Duke in February is the one for me. Seeing Cam Boozer and Duke take on Michigan’s frontcourt will be fascinating on both sides of the matchup; I can’t wait to see Yaxel Lendeborg and Boozer going after it.