Early 2026-27 Big Ten College Basketball Preview: Awards, Storylines & more!

Jon Rothstein is back with another offseason preview. This time he's talking all things Big Ten! From loaded rosters at Illinois and Michigan State to west coast powers trying to make a big splash and a very interesting season upcoming in West Lafayette, Jon has you covered. Jon also dives into preseason awards and answers questions from the audience. This is ONLY July.

(0:00) Intro + let’s talk Big Ten!

(3:50) 3 Big Things

(4:00) Michigan & Michigan State are aiming for a home Final Four

(10:46) Matt Painter’s Boilermakers are not great on paper

(13:50) Is USC this season’s Nebraska?

(16:52) Preseason Power Rankings

(20:43) Preseason Awards

(24:37) Twitter Questions!

(28:30) Final Thoughts

🎥 WATCH

• Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB

• Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live

• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9lunf3agEif1kM8T?si=b4e091007c2545c6

• Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-college-basketball/id268800565

• Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18

• Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867

📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en

▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein

📖 READ

• More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW

We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.