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| Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska |
Final Power Rankings
1. Michigan Wolverines
(Previous Rank: 1)
2. Illinois Fighting Illini
(Previous Rank: 2)
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers
(Previous Rank: 3)
4. Michigan State Spartans
(Previous Rank: 4)
5. Wisconsin Badgers
(Previous Rank: 6)
(Previous Rank: 5)
7. UCLA Bruins
(Previous Rank: 7)
8. Ohio State Buckeyes
(Previous Rank: 11)
9. Iowa Hawkeyes
(Previous Rank: 8)
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers
(Previous Rank: 12)
11. Indiana Hoosiers
(Previous Rank: 10)
12. USC Trojans
(Previous Rank: 9)
13. Washington Huskies
(Previous Rank: 13)
14. Northwestern Wildcats
(Previous Rank: 14)
15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
(Previous Rank: 16)
16. Oregon Ducks
(Previous Rank: 17)
17. Maryland Terrapins
(Previous Rank: 15)
18. Penn State Nittany Lions
(Previous Rank: 18)
All-Big Ten Teams
First Team
G Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana
G Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
F Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
F/C Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Second Team
G John Blackwell, Wisconsin
G Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
G/F Keaton Wagler, Illinois
F Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
F/C Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Third Team
G Braden Smith, Purdue
G Nick Boyd, Wisconsin
G Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
F Cade Tyson, Minnesota
F/C Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
Awards
Player of the Year: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
The UAB transfer made the right decision on skipping the NBA Draft last summer, serving as the centerpiece of one of the most dominant Big Ten teams we've seen in years. He was a true two-way machine, not only averaging 14.7 PPG and 7.2 RPG, but blocking 1.4 shots per game on the defensive end.
Coach of the Year: Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
It took some time for Fred Hoiberg to get this thing going in Lincoln, but you could not have scripted a better 2025-26 campaign for the Cornhuskers. Coming off a year in which they failed to even qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, Nebraska ripped off 20 straight victories to begin the year and finished the regular season 26-5. The list of their accomplishments this season speaks for itself, including:
- Undefeated non-conference record (first since 1928-29)
- First Top 10 ranking since 1965-66
- 26 wins (most since 1990-91)
- 15 conference wins (program record)
Now, what do they do in the NCAA Tournament to put a bow on such a magical season?
Freshman of the Year: Keaton Wagler, Illinois
There may have been freshmen entering the Big Ten this year with more fanfare, but Keaton Wagler proved his worth on an Illinois team that went 24-7 overall and 15-5 in the league. He led the team in scoring, assists, steals, and field goal percentage, with some of the most captivating individual performances of the season. His 46-point outburst in a win over Purdue in early January was one of the highlights of this Big Ten basketball season.
Transfer of the Year: Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
You could certainly make the argument Lendeborg fits this spot given his Player of the Year accolades, but Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz meant so much more to his team. After following Ben McCollum from Drake, Stirtz had a monster debut in Iowa City, averaging 20.2 PPG on 50% shooting from the field. Only one other player on this roster averaged in the double digits, meaning Stirtz was the true MVP of the Hawkeyes all year long.
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