Michigan State or Illinois? Big Ten basketball preseason poll reveals razor-thin favorite

Michigan State and Illinois are separated by one point in the Big Ten preseason poll as the conference heads into media days on Oct. 8 in Rosemont, Illinois, with the Michigan Wolverines’ national-title drought ending under Dusty May. Since May left for the NBA, the No. 1 spot is wide open, and the writers’ poll makes it essentially a two-team race. Michigan State narrowly edges Illinois 280-279. Jeremy Fears Jr. of Michigan State is the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year and the only unanimous All-Big Ten selection. The predicted order of finish, first- and second-team All-Big Ten lists, plus preseason awards include selections like Stefan Vaaks (Newcomer of the Year non-freshman) and Anthony Thompson (Freshman of the Year).