http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/9395537/2014-big-ten-basketball-recruiting-primer

With the new ESPN 100 player rankings out and as the 2014 basketball recruiting cycle picks up heading into the July evaluation periods, here's a look at how each team in the Big Ten is shaping up in the 2014 recruiting class. Team-by-team recruiting capsules for the Big 12 (Tuesday), Pac-12 (Wednesday), ACC (Thursday), SEC (Friday), AAC (next Monday) and Big East (next Tuesday) will be coming in subsequent days.

Note: Teams are as of conference alignment for the 2013-14 season.



Illinois Fighting Illini
Who they have: The Illini have local four-star power forward Michael Finke already on board. Finke is an excellent system fit because of his ability to stretch the defense with his shooting range and his ability to pass and run the floor.

Who they want: The No. 1A and 1B targets for coach John Groce and his staff are center Jahlil Okafor and power forward Cliff Alexander, a pair of Chicago products who are also the top two players nationally in the 2014 class. ESPN 100 point guards JaQuan Lyle and Larry Austin and ESPN 100 forwards Paul White and Trevon Bluiett round out the marquee names at this stage of the recruiting process.

Storyline to watch: How many in-state targets will decide to head downstate to Champaign from the fertile recruiting ground of Chicago as Groce continues to try to build the program with the state's most talented prospects?

Bold prediction: Groce wins the race for Alexander and lands one of the state's and the country's biggest recruiting prizes, giving the Illini an immediate-impact player and potential one-and-done lottery pick.

Overall recruiting trend: Illinois recruiting is definitely trending up after landing the nation's No. 15 class in 2013, including a trio of four-star prospects, three overall from Illinois, and two from local and national power Chicago Simeon.



Indiana Hoosiers
Who they have: The Hoosiers have one of best shooters in the 2014 class in ESPN 100 shooting guard James Blackmon Jr., who can also excel at the point with his high basketball IQ and ability to pass and run a team.

Who they want: ESPN 100 high school teammates Brandone Francis (point guard) and Dante Buford (power forward) are being worked on a daily basis. In-state ESPN 100 targets JaQuan Lyle (point guard) and Trevon Bluiett (small forward) would also be welcome additions, along with guard Phil Booth, power forward Obi Enechionyia, center Goodluck Okonoboh and shooting guard Ahmed Hill. Additionally, talented Australian guard Dante Exum is high on Indiana's list and has already visited.

Storyline to watch: Will the Hoosiers land another immediate-impact player from the DMV like they did with Victor Oladipo? Could Booth or Enechionyia be next?

Bold prediction: Lyle, a playmaking lead guard, will stay in state and pick the Hoosiers.

Overall recruiting trend: Indiana recruiting is officially back and has been trending up ever since Cody Zeller said yes in 2011 and Yogi Ferrell in 2012. Indiana landed the No. 4 recruiting class for 2013.



Iowa Hawkeyes
Who they have: No 2014 recruits so far.

Who they want: The Hawkeyes really like ESPN 100 point guard Tyler Ulis and four-star power forward Malek Harris, whom they identified early and made priorities along with ESPN 100 point guard Larry Austin. Point guards Kevin Zabo and Marcus Bartley have also been mentioned.

Storyline to watch: Will Ulis continue to consider the Hawkeyes after having a breakout spring in which he became one of the most pursued point guards in the Midwest?

Bold prediction: Harris will join the Hawkeyes and provide them with a blue-collar player who does the little things to help his team be successful.

Overall recruiting trend: Iowa recruiting is without a doubt trending up. The Hawkeyes landed two ESPN 100 players back in 2012 in Adam Woodbury and Mike Gesell and grabbed three-star Peter Jok in 2013.



Michigan Wolverines
Who they have: Four-star power forward Ricky Doyle will bring size, skill and an excellent style of play fit with the Wolverines. And if healthy, pure-shooting small forward Austin Hatch will provide Michigan with two players who can stretch the defense.

Who they want: ESPN 100 combo forward Kevon Looney is at the top of the wish list. Shooting guard Devin Booker is a wing with a sweet stroke, small forward Kameron Chatman can score in a variety of ways and small forward Trevon Bluiett is a strong, physical wing who can also drop open jumpers on a consistent basis.

Storyline to watch: It will be interesting to see if the Wolverines can continue their recruiting success in the state of Indiana (Zak Irvin, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary) and land a wing standout like Bluiett.

Bold prediction: The Wolverines ride the program's momentum and earn a commitment from top-10 recruit Looney, whose size, skill and versatility is a matchup nightmare.

Overall recruiting trend: Michigan recruiting is trending extremely well after getting three ESPN 100 recruits in the Class of 2013 who graded out as the No. 12 recruiting class. Michigan also landed three ESPN 100 prospects in 2012 and Trey Burke in 2011.



Michigan State Spartans
Who they have: No 2014 recruits so far.

Who they want: The Spartans have been in the hunt for a package deal of center Jahlil Okafor and point guard Tyus Jones for months. They have also made a positive impression on power forward Cliff Alexander. That trio comprises the top three recruits nationally in the 2014 class. Any combination of power forward Kevon Looney, power forward Reid Travis and shooting guard Devin Booker would also make Tom Izzo very happy.

Storyline to watch: The Spartans have invested tons of time in Alexander and the Okafor/Jones package. Who will pop first?

Bold prediction: I could see the Spartans going into Minneapolis and pulling Travis, who would provide Izzo with a strong, physical and competitive forward who can finish and rebound.

Overall recruiting trend: The Spartans missed on Jabari Parker and James Young in 2013 but landed four ESPN 100 prospects in 2012. Expect Izzo to again lock up a marquee recruit at some point in 2014. Right now Michigan State is trending even, but expect that to change upward again very soon.



Minnesota Golden Gophers
Who they have: No 2014 recruits so far.

Who they want: New Gophers head coach Richard Pitino is going hard after three local ESPN 100 stars: point guard Tyus Jones, shooting guard Rashad Vaughn and power forward Reid Travis. Jones would have to forget about playing with Jahlil Okafor if he picks the Gophers. Shooting guard Marial Shayok and center Goodluck Okonoboh are also being pursued aggressively.

Storyline to watch: Which one of the local Big Three pops first, and will the Gophers benefit from their decisions?

Bold prediction: Jones shocks the recruiting world by not going to college with Okafor, instead staying home to be close to family and friends, and picks the Gophers.

Overall recruiting trend: With the recent coaching change, Minnesota is currently trending down. But with time, expect Pitino to turn that trend upward sooner than later.



Nebraska Cornhuskers
Who they have: No 2014 recruits so far.

Who they want: Three-star power forward Tory Miller is a big-bodied post with tons of potential, and four-star power forward Josh Cunningham is another prospect who is on the rise.

Storyline to watch: With former Georgetown assistant coach Kenya Hunter recently joining the Nebraska staff, it will be interesting to see which East Coast or DMV prospect might make the move to Lincoln.

Bold prediction: I'll fast forward to 2015 for this, but I think Houston native JoJo Anderson bypasses all those Texas programs and joins the Huskers as their lead guard of the future. Anderson might like the Midwest after transferring from Yates (Houston) to LaLumiere (LaPorte, Ind.).

Overall recruiting trend: Head coach Tim Miles is in the early stages of putting his mark on the program, and Nebraska recruiting is trending even. But if Miles can recruit Texas, the Midwest and now the East Coast with Hunter on staff, expect that trend to head upward very soon.



Northwestern Wildcats
Who they have: No 2014 recruits so far.

Who they want: Point guards Tyler Ulis and Marcus Bartley both bring great feel for the game and the ability to get others involved, while small forward Paul White can score on the break and from the wing in a variety of ways. All three are coveted in-state prizes.

Storyline to watch: Who will be the first Illinois player new head coach Chris Collins will lure to Evanston?

Bold prediction: Not sure who it will be yet because the new coaching staff is still establishing itself, but I am predicting that Northwestern will land one or more of the many highly rated recruits from Illinois. One could even be a shocker!

Overall recruiting trend: The Wildcats' recruiting is trending down at the moment, but with former Duke assistant and Illinois native Collins changing the culture and style of play, it should begin to pay off and turn the trend in a positive direction.



Ohio State Buckeyes
Who they have: The Buckeyes are already on the cusp of having a very special class. Local ESPN 100 small forward Jae'Sean Tate is a tough and physical slasher, ESPN 100 shooting guard D'Angelo Russell can score from all over the floor, ESPN 100 combo forward Keita Bates-Diop is a matchup nightmare and three-star big man David Bell is long, skilled and loaded with upside.

Who they want: Thad Matta now turns his undivided attention to center Jahlil Okafor and point guard Tyus Jones, who would remind Buckeyes fans of Greg Oden and Mike Conley or Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft. Ohio State is also in the mix for a ton of remaining ESPN 100 talent, including small forward L.J. Peak, small forward Paul White, point guard JaQuan Lyle, small forward Jalen Lindsey, power forward Leron Black or the next best thing to Okafor in power forward Cliff Alexander.

Storyline to watch: Who will be the next four- or five-star prospect to join an already super-talented 2014 class?

Bold prediction: Okafor and Jones decide not to go to college together, but Okafor still picks the Buckeyes. How about that for bold!

Overall recruiting trend: The Buckeyes have been trending up, and nothing has changed for Matta and his staff heading into 2014. From 2010 through 2013, Ohio State landed 10 ESPN 100 recruits, not including Craft, who was on the cusp of the top 100 coming out of high school.



Penn State Nittany Lions
Who they have: The Nittany Lions have up-and-coming point guard Isaiah Washington on board. Washington will provide them with a primary ball handler and facilitator. Penn State also picked up a commitment just recently from Shep Garner, who is a competitive combo guard and a very good passer in the open court. He also attacks the basket in the half-court set, where he can finish the play, drop off a pass or drive and kick to an open shooter.

Who they want: Shooting guard Jared Terrell, center Tory Miller, small forward Terry Larrier and point guard Wade Baldwin all have early offers, and any combination of them would give head coach Pat Chambers a well-rounded class with talent and upside.

Storyline to watch: Chambers knows his way around Philly, so I am watching closely to see which high-major prospect will leave the City of Brotherly Love for State College.

Bold prediction: Terrell decides to join Chambers and the Nittany Lions to provide them with a wing who is strong and physical with the ability to get to the rim and be a multiple-position defender.

Overall recruiting trend: The Nittany Lions' recruiting trend is even at best given all the school and athletic program has endured over the past year with the football program. Penn State is healing, and so will its recruiting in the near future.



Purdue Boilermakers
Who they have: Matt Painter has landed an excellent shooter in three-star shooting guard Dakota Mathias, who should be able to get open in Purdue's motion-style offense.

Who they want: Point guard Tyler Ulis, power forward Reid Travis, center Quadri Moore, power forward Marlon Jones, power forward Vincent Edwards and small forward Trevon Bluiett are all high on the list. Any combination of this group would provide talent and players with a variety of skill sets.

Storyline to watch: Who will Painter land out of the fertile states of Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, where his recruiting ties are very strong?

Bold prediction: Edwards, who has been on the rise this spring and early summer with his consistent production, decides to be a Boilermaker and Jones joins him.

Overall recruiting trend: Purdue's recruiting trend is even and steady. Painter is strong in his home and bordering states, and expect that to remain consistent.



Wisconsin Badgers
Who they have: Coach Bo Ryan already has four-star power forward Ethan Happ on board. Happ is skilled, can shoot and pass and knows how to play.

Who they want: Top-10 power forwards Cliff Alexander and in-state stud Kevon Looney are the big prizes on the recruiting list. ESPN 100 scoring wing Paul White would be a nice addition as well.

Storyline to watch: Which under-the-radar prospect will select the Badgers and turn into a major contributor? Ryan is known for his ability to develop and provide players with great confidence, which leads to production.

Bold prediction: White decides to commit to the Badgers, which would provide them with an immediate offensive option on the wing.

Overall recruiting trend: Wisconsin's recruiting is trending even. Ryan and his staff do a great job finding the right program fit in the state of Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest to keep a steady flow of rock-solid players who overachieve coming to Madison.

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Reggie Rankin
College Basketball Recruiting
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Reggie Rankin has coached in the SEC, Big 12, MAC, and others over 14 seasons. He has been a scout and analyst for RecruitingNation since 2007.

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I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...