It's Draft Day. Well, not really. However, in the spirit of tonight's NFL Draft, we decided to break down how a fantasy draft of Big Ten hoops would look if only Ohio prospects in the 2017-2019 classes were eligible. Who will get their names called first?
Using the regular season standings from the 2015-16 season as a barometer to determine draft order, our Big Ten Fantasy Draft takes the setting as if programs are drafting for their teams following the 2016-17 season. While 2017 prospects are immediately eligible, 2018 and 2019 draft selections will be treated similar to international prospects in the NBA, who wait a year or two before joining the team that selected them.
Without further adieu, let's get down to business.
1. Rutgers
Winning just one of 18 conference games in 2015-16, Rutgers gets the first overall pick. New coach Steve Pikiell will be looking to select a player that can come in and immediately contribute for a struggling program.
NEEDS: SF, PF, Immediate Impact
Selection: Derek Culver (6'10 PF / Warren Harding / 2017)
With the first overall pick, Rutgers selects the uber-athletic Culver, who checks in at No. 52 in the ESPN 2017 Top 60. Picking up an offer from Kansas on Wednesday, Culver is a big-time talent that has yet to receive an offer from Ohio State, interestingly enough. Holding other offers from high-major programs in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, and West Virginia, among others, Culver joins a Scarlet Knights program in need of a game-changing post presence.
2. Minnesota
After winning 25 games in his debut season at Minnesota in 2013-14, coach Richard Pitino has won just 26 total games since. In need of a play maker at point guard, the Gophers are in luck at No. 2.
NEEDS: PG
Selection: Markell Johnson (6'1 PG / Cleveland East Tech / 2017)
With one of the best guards in the entire country available, Minnesota's selection of Johnson is a no-brainer. The No. 53 player in ESPN's 2017 Top 60, Johnson brings instant impact and explosiveness to a Minnesota offense that averaged just 68 points per game in 2015-16, third-worst in the conference.
3. Nebraska (Via Illinois in exchange for No. 4 pick and first round selection in 2018)
With a need for a front court presence and a rim protector, Nebraska trades up and swaps picks with Illinois in order to get their guy. While giving up a first round pick in 2018 may hurt the Huskers, Nebraska coach Tim Miles can't afford to wait another year.
NEEDS: PF, C
Selection: Sterling Manley (6'10 PF/C / Pickerington Central / 2017)
Already heavily pursuing Manley, Nebraska reels in the No. 2 player in 270 Hoops' 2017 rankings. A long and growing post with as much upside as just about any big man in the 2017 class, Nebraska gets the rim protector that they've been looking for.
4. Illinois (Via Nebraska)
Winning at least 20 games in John Groce's first two seasons on campus, the Illini are just 34-33 since, and are in need for size and skill. Swapping picks with Nebraska, Illinois will be able to stockpile talent in 2018, in addition to getting an instant-impact player in 2017.
NEEDS: SF, C
Selection: Kyle Young (6'7 SF / Massillon Jackson / 2017)
Reeling in one of Ohio's fastest-rising prospects, Illinois gets size, skill and versatility in Young. Picking up offers from NC State, Michigan State and West Virginia in the last two weeks, Young's stock has been red-hot since starring in the EYBL.
5. Penn State
NEEDS: C
At a crossroads, Penn State is stuck with the dilemma of a limited supply of college-ready prospects available in 2017, and having to wait a year to use a selection if the Nittany Lions decide to take an underclassmen.
Selection: Darius Bazley (6'8 SF / Cincinnati Finneytown / 2018)
Penn State decides to choose the latter, going with the extremely lengthy and athletic Bazley, who is considered the top 2018 prospect in Ohio by many. With nearly unlimited upside, Bazley is a player that will come in and contribute immediately for Penn State, while supplying a bit of star power that the Nittany Lions are not used to. Unfortunately for coach Pat Chambers, he will have to survive another season before Bazley can come into the fold.
6. Ohio State (Via Northwestern in exchange for No. 8 pick and first round selection in 2018)
NEEDS: SG
Swapping picks with Northwestern to pop up right in front of rival Michigan, Ohio State and its need for a combo guard come in at No. 6. In a similar dilemma as Penn State, Thad Matta & Co. will need to decide whether to take someone in 2017, who many not be able to contribute much immediately, or wait until 2018 and fill need.
Selection: Dwayne Cohill (6'2 PG/SG / Parma Holy Name / 2018)
Nabbing one of its top targets in 2018, Ohio State gets the shooting guard depth it needs in Cohill, who comes in at No. 1 in the Triple Double Prospects' 2018 rankings. An athletic guard that can play on both ends of the floor, Cohill is already high on Ohio State's list, and will only help the Buckeyes with his athleticism, versatility and scoring ability.
7. Michigan
NEEDS: PG depth, Best Available Player
Next up is Michigan, who picks right after archrival Ohio State. With the top young combo guard in Cohill off the board, Michigan will look for the best available prospect. A young roster stock-full of talent has the Wolverines optimistic about their future.
Selection: Jordan Mitchell (6'6 SF / Gahanna Lincoln / 2019)
In revenge for Ohio State jumping ahead of them to take Cohill, Michigan strikes back by taking the Buckeyes' top 2019 in-state prospect. Already plucking three players from Ohio in the 2016 class, Michigan gets a five-tool forward in Mitchell, who appears to be at least a four-star prospect. While the Wolverines will have to wait two years before getting Mitchell in the fold, Michigan likes its upside in the lengthy two-way forward.
8. Northwestern (Via Ohio State)
NEEDS: PG, SF
Moving back two picks after the trade with Ohio State, Northwestern has a tough choice on its hands. In need of a versatile wing player that can help the Wildcats put points on the board, Northwestern can either take the best next option in the backcourt, or take a higher profile underclassman talent.
Selection: Danny Davis (6'2 SG/WR / Springfield / 2017)
Going with the athletic scoring guard Davis, who also duels as a high-major talent on the gridiron, Northwestern likes its fit with the Springfield product. Already with a football offer from Northwestern, Davis signs with the Wildcats to play both basketball and football.
9. Wisconsin
NEEDS: PG depth, C
With needs in the backcourt and front court, Wisconsin has a host of different options here. Front court talent remains in the 2017 class, however, the Badgers could opt with a higher upside talent in 2018 or 2019.
Selection: AJ Gareri (6'9 PF / Akron Ellet / 2017)
Going with the Akron Ellet standout Gareri, Wisconsin gets a skilled and versatile front court piece that fits the Badgers' offensive style. With three offers from MAC programs, Gareri is a sleeper in the 2017 class that could turn out to be pretty darn good. Always looking for the next best sleeper out of Ohio, Wisconsin gets that in the 6-foot-9 Gareri.
10. Iowa
NEEDS: SF, C
Looking for size on the wing and on the block, Iowa has a host of choices here, but mainly outside of the 2017 class. While Ohio's 2017 class has lots of intriguing big men, the depth of its rising seniors isn't as strong as past classes. Several talented underclassmen also remain on the board at No. 10.
Selection: Dalonte Brown (6'7 SF/PF / Toledo Bowsher / 2017)
Going with the athletic and versatile forward Brown out of Toledo, Iowa gets a player that is drawing stronger interest from several programs in the Big Ten. Already holding offers from Dayton and Toledo, Brown is a late-rising wing forward that has been one of the strongest performers on the EYBL circuit for All-Ohio Red. Giving the Hawkeyes a player that will bring athleticism, versatility and excitement, Iowa snags the last 2017 prospect of the draft.
11. Maryland
NEEDS: PF, C
With no real impact players remaining in the 2017 class, Maryland is likely to start a trend of underclassmen selections. Needing size in the front court, the Terps will look for a prospect to fill in after the following season.
Selection: Jerome Hunter (6'6 SF/PF / Pickerington North / 2018)
Going with one of Ohio's highest-upside prospects in the 2018 class, Maryland gets a potential Big Ten stud in Hunter. With great size and length, Hunter has all the tools to be an impact player at the high-major level, as Maryland will put a lot into his development after one more high school season. Drawing interest from programs such as Ohio State, West Virginia and Xavier, Hunter has the tools to be a productive player in the Big Ten.
12. Purdue
NEEDS: PG, PF
Purdue will continue a trend of underclassmen picks, as the Boilermakers can choose to build depth in its backcourt, or take another beefy frontcourt enforcer.
Selection: Dylan Swingle (6'10 C / Chillicothe Paint Valley / 2018)
Going with the massive Swingle, who just looks like he should play at Purdue, the Boilermakers get a wide-bodied skilled post that has been a stud in the AAU circuit for All-Ohio Red. Already holding an offer from West Virginia, Swingle is a great pick up for Purdue to join the Boilermaker front court after a season of play.
13. Michigan State
NEEDS: SF, C depth
With no real impact players remaining in the 2018 class, Michigan State is likely to take a 2019 prospect that the Spartans will be able to watch develop before joining the squad in two seasons.
Selection: Alonzo Gaffney (6'8 PF / Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph / 2019)
Taking one of Ohio's highest upside talents in Gaffney, who is No. 2 in the Triple Double Prospects 2019 rankings, Michigan State takes a development piece over going with a 2017 prospect that may not be able to help right away. With great size and an intriguing skill set, Gaffney appears to be the next great thing in a long lineage of studs from Villa Angela-St. Joseph, the alma mater of Clark Kellogg.
14. Indiana
NEEDS: PG, C
In a similar position as Michigan State, the defending Big Ten regular season champion Hoosiers can either go with a stud at the point guard position, or choose to stock up on young front court talent at No. 14.
Selection: Abba Lawal (6'11 C / Cincinnati Walnut Hills / 2019)
Going with the African import Lawal, who had a strong freshman season at Walnut Hills, Indiana likes it chances with the extremely long post player. Regarded as one of Ohio's top prep talents, Lawal will get two seasons of development before joining the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall.
