With completely overhauled men’s and women’s basketball rosters, many are asking — who are these Hoosiers?
According to a media panel, they are players not worthy of preseason All-Big Ten recognition.
10 spots were open for all conference recognition going into the 2025-26 season, and no one from either the Indiana men’s or women’s squads were included.
The IU men have several players who have won first-team all-league honors at the mid-major level, including two-time Missouri Valley player of the year Tucker DeVries, last year’s Sun Belt player of the year Tayton Conerway, first-team Atlantic 10 forward Reed Bailey, and first-team Conference USA guard Lamar Wilkerson.
Here’s who did receive preseason All-Big Ten recognition for both the men and women:
2025-26 Men’s Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Bennett Stirtz, Sr., G, Iowa
Yaxel Lendeborg, Grad., F, Michigan
Nick Martinelli, Sr., F, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Sr., G, Ohio State
Nate Bittle, Sr., C, Oregon
Jackson Shelstad, Jr., G, Oregon
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Sr., F, Purdue
BRADEN SMITH, Sr., G, Purdue
Donovan Dent, Sr., G, UCLA
John Blackwell, Jr., G, Wisconsin
2025-26 Men’s Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Braden Smith, Purdue
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On the women’s side preseason team rankings were also released, along with the All-Big Ten squads.
2025-26 Coaches Women’s Big Ten Preseason Rankings
- UCLA
- Maryland
- Michigan
- USC
- Ohio State
2025-26 Coaches Women’s Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Hannah Stuelke, Sr., F, Iowa
Yarden Garzon, Sr., G, Maryland
Kaylene Smikle, Sr., G, Maryland
Olivia Olson, So., G, Michigan
Syla Swords, So., G, Michigan
Grace VanSlooten, Sr., F, Michigan State
Jaloni Cambridge, So., G, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, SR., C, UCLA
KIKI RICE, SR., G, UCLA
Sayvia Sellers, Jr., G, Washington
2025-26 Coaches Women’s Preseason Player of the Year
LAUREN BETTS, SR., C, UCLA
2025-26 Media Women’s Big Ten Preseason Rankings
- UCLA
- Maryland
- USC
- Michigan
- Ohio State
2025-26 Media Women’s Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Hannah Stuelke, Sr., F, Iowa
Yarden Garzon, Sr., G, Maryland
Kaylene Smikle, Sr., G, Maryland
Olivia Olson, So., G, Michigan
Syla Swords, So., G, Michigan
Grace VanSlooten, Sr., F, Michigan State
Jaloni Cambridge, So., G, Ohio State
LAUREN BETTS, SR., C, UCLA
Kiki Rice, Sr., G, UCLA
Elle Ladine, Sr., G, Washington
2025-26 Media Women’s Preseason Player of the Year
Lauren Betts, Sr., C, UCLA
Unanimous selection listed in ALL CAPS
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