8-7, 0-3 Big Ten

1997-98: 23-10, 13-3

Key Players: G Cory Bradford (Fr.) G Cleotis Brown (Jr.)

Key Players Lost: F Kevin Turner, F Jerry Hester

After posting their best conference record since 1989 and capturing their first Big Ten title since 1984, the Fighting Illini are still searching for their first conference win after struggling in road losses to No. 23 Indiana (62-53) and No. 12 Iowa (84-62). The Illini then dropped their conference home opener to Northwestern (59-46). The reason -- Kruger returns just four letter-winners and no starters from last year's magical season. This year's young squad is led by the freshman Bradford, who is averaging 14.1 points per game.

Indiana (Bob Knight, 28th season)

No. 23, 14-5, 1-3 Big Ten

1997-98: 20-12, 9-7 Big Ten

Key Players: G A.J. Guyton (Jr.), F Luke Recker (So.)

Key Players Lost: C Andrae Patterson

The Hoosiers played a tough non-conference schedule that included a 70-61 loss at Kentucky and 63-62 victory over Temple, and have struggled in early conference play. Indiana opened its Big Ten slate with a loss at Iowa (67-52) before rebounding with a home win against Illinois (62-53). But the Hoosiers have since dropped two straight road games at Michigan (82-70) and Ohio State (73-56). Recker, an All-Big Ten selection last season, averaged 12.8 points per game and is a threat both from the perimeter and in the lane. Guyton led the Hoosiers with 16.8 points per game in 1997-98 and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection.

Iowa (Tom Davis, 13th year)

No. 12, 12-1, 3-0 Big Ten

1997-98: 20-11, 9-7 Big Ten

Key Players: F J.R. Koch (Sr.), G Dean Oliver (So.)

Key Players Lost: G Ricky Davis, F Ryan Bowen

Davis plans on retiring at the end of the season, and so far his team is giving him some great going away presents. Iowa is the highest-ranked conference team in the top 25 at No. 12. Despite losing last season's two leading scorers in Davis and Bowen, and an early loss to Creighton (75-73), the Hawkeyes have rattled off 10 straight victories, including an 85-81 victory over then-No. 8 Kansas that ended the nation's longest home win streak at 62.

Forward Jess Settles was granted a sixth season of eligibility due to injury. The Hawkeyes also expect to have Wisconsin transfer and former Big Ten Freshman of the Year Sam Okey beginning Jan. 21.

Michigan (Brian Ellerbe, 2nd season)

8-9, 2-2 Big Ten

1997-98: 25-9, 11-5

Key Players: G Louis Bullock (Sr.), G Robbie Reid (Sr.)

Key Players Lost: C Robert Traylor, F Maceo Baston F Jerod Ward

Just a year after winning the inaugural Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines find themselves replacing one of the top frontcourts in the nation. While Bullock and Reid carry that distinction to the backcourt, Michigan's inside game is now its weakness. Forward Brandon Smith and center Josh Asselin, both sophomores, are trying to fill the void, but the Wolverines aren't dominating the paint as they did last season. Most of Michigan's attack has come from the perimeter, with Bullock and Reid leading the way with 21.1 and 12.2 points per game, respectively.

Michigan State (Tom Izzo, 4th year)

No. 14, 12-4, 1-1 Big Ten

1997-98: 22-8, 13-3

Key Players: G Mateen Cleaves (Jr.), F Jason Klein (Sr.)

Key Players Lost: C DeJuan Wiley

Favored by many to win the conference, the Spartans return 1997-98 All-American guard Cleaves, who averaged 16.1 points per game. After completing an arduous non-conference schedule that featured losses at No. 2 Duke (73-67) and No. 1 Connecticut (82-68), the Spartans have split their first two conference games, with an upset loss at Wisconsin (66-51) and a home win against Michigan (81-67).

Minnesota (Clem Haskins, 13th year)

No. 19, 10-2, 1-1 Big Ten

1997-98: 20-15, 6-10 Big Ten

Key Players: G Kevin Clark (Sr.), G Quincy Lewis (Sr.), F Miles Tarver (Sr.)

Key Players Lost: F Sam Jacobson, G Eric Harris

The defending National Invitation Tournament champions, the Golden Gophers are led by current Big Ten scoring leader Lewis (22 points per game) and Clark. Lewis led the team in blocks last year with 50, and was second in steals (68) and points (14.5). Joining Lewis in the backcourt is last year's NIT MVP Clark. He finished last year second on the team with 90 assists and third with 41 steals. During their non-conference schedule, the Gophers lost 62-61 in overtime to No. 3 Cincinnati. The Gophers also dropped their first conference game of the year to Northwestern (58-55), but rebounded to beat Penn State (75-60).

Northwestern (Kevin O'Neill, 2nd season)

9-3, 2-1 Big Ten

1997-98: 10-17, 3-13 Big Ten

Key Players: C Evan Eschmeyer (Sr.), G Julian Bonner (Sr.)

Key Players Lost: F Joe Branch

Last season the Wildcats broke several school records, including the most home wins in 15 years, and return four starters from that squad. Sixth-year senior Eschmeyer is the Big Ten's premier center after averaging 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game last season. Northwestern has pulled off two early season upsets, both on the road, beating Minnesota (58-55) and Illinois (59-46).

Ohio State (Jim O'Brien, 2nd season)

No. 21, 13-3, 3-0 Big Ten

1997-98: 8-22, 1-15

Key Players: G Michael Redd (So.), G Michael "Scoonie" Penn (Jr.)

Key Players Lost: G Carlos Davis

With Boston College transfer Penn and the brand new 19,500-seat Value City Arena, the Buckeyes already have improved upon last season's dismal showing with upset wins at No. 17 Wisconsin and against No. 23 Indiana. Penn and Redd (last season's Big Ten Freshman of the Year) form arguably the conference's premier backcourt tandem.

Penn State (Jerry Dunn, 4th season)

9-5, 1-3 Big Ten

1997-98: 19-13, 8-8 Big Ten

Key Players: C Calvin Booth (Sr.), G Dan Earl (Sr.)

Key Players Lost: G Pete Lisicky

The Nittany Lions got Earl back after he was granted a sixth-year medical red-shirt by the NCAA, but are without the team's second leading scorer in power forward Jarrett Stephens (13.9 points per game), who has decided to redshirt after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last season. Penn State lost its first conference game to Ohio State (70-62) early in the season before resuming conference play with a win over Michigan (70-52) and losses to Purdue (70-67) and Minnesota (75-60).

Purdue (Gene Keady, 19th season)

No. 13, 13-3, 1-1 Big Ten

1997-98: 28-8, 12-4

Key Players: F Brian Cardinal (Jr.), G Jaraan Cornell (Jr.)

Key Players Lost: G Chad Austin, C Brad Miller

Over the past five seasons, Purdue has compiled the best record against Big Ten opponents of any program in the conference. This year's squad returns three starters from last season's Sweet 16 team. Cardinal and Cornell are complimented by Alan Eldridge, Mike Robinson and Greg McQuay for one of the conference's quickest and most athletic starting five. After posting a 12-2 non-conference record the Boilermakers split their opening Big Ten contests, beating Penn State (70-67) before dropping a 61-56 decision at No. 17 Wisconsin.

Wisconsin (Dick Bennett, 4th year)

No. 17, 14-3, 2-2 Big Ten

1997-98: 12-19, 3-13 Big Ten

Key Players: G Hennssy Auriantal (Sr.), G Ty Calderwood (Sr.), G Sean Mason (Sr.)

Key Players Lost: F Sean Daugherty, F Booker Coleman

The No. 17 Badgers return four of their five starters from last season and already have more wins overall this year than all of last season. Wisconsin features one of the conference's premier scorers in Mason. One of the Badgers' bigger wins during their non-conference schedule came against Temple (63-56). After losing their first two conference games to Michigan (59-55) and Ohio State (78-74), the Badgers now look to contend for the Big Ten crown after defeating Michigan State (66-51) and Purdue (61-56).