The Big Ten released its preseason All-Big Ten team earlier this week and there were more than a few intriguing selections. These rankings are always one of the best early looks at the conference and are no different this year.
One thing worth noting about the list is that the Big Ten recently increased its All-Big Ten team from five to 10 members. As such, an additional five players will find their name among the players listed. Some of the names will be familiar to fans and some won’t be quite as well
known.
Here is the full list of players below.
2025-’26 Preseason All-Big Ten Team:
- Nate Bittle (Oregon)
- John Blackwell (Wisconsin)
- Donovan Dent (UCLA)
- Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan)
- Nick Martinelli (Northwestern)
- Jackson Shelstad (Oregon)
- Braden Smith (Purdue)
- Bennett Stirtz (Iowa)
- Bruce Thornton (Ohio State)
2025-’26 Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year:
- Braden Smith (Purdue)
There were a total of eight teams with a player listed, with Oregon and Purdue both earning multiple spots. Of course, that also means a variety of teams failed to make the cut, including Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan State. And, given how things have gone in recent years, those are noteworthy absences.
It’s also worth acknowledging Smith’s selection as the Big Ten’s Preseason Player of the Year. That news will certainly come as no surprise to those that watched last season. Smith figures to be in serious contention for National Player of the Year thanks to his offensive capabilities. He was also the only unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten team in what figures to be a remarkable season for the league.
Perhaps the most notable absence from this list was Michigan State. Despite solid preseason projections and a wonderful 2024-’25 campaign, the Spartans didn’t land a plan on this list. We’ll have to see if that holds up as the season unfolds. It seems unlikely Michigan State’s roster will miss the cut if its preseason projections hold up.
There’s certain to be plenty of movement on this list as the season continues, but don’t be surprised to see all 10 of these players make some noise this year.
