Preseason picks: Gophers and two others are biggest threat to Michigan St

There's really only one consensus pick when it comes to the Big Ten in college hoops preview magazines this year -- and that's Michigan State to win the conference title.

We all get it. Sparty has the Big Ten's best coach in Tom Izzo, the best player in Miles Bridges, the best incoming freshman and NBA prospect in Jaren Jackson Jr. – and best chance to reach the Final Four and win the national championship.

After that, Minnesota, Northwestern and Purdue are all picked to finish runner-up to the Spartans by different college basketball annuals, including Street & Smith hitting newstands this week.

Athlon Sports picked Gophers No. 2 (Also, No. 3 by Lindy's and No. 4 Street & Smith).

Here's why: It's hard to argue with the Gophers having the most talented roster in the Big Ten behind Michigan State on paper. They welcome back All-Big Ten first-team guard Nate Mason, All-Big Ten freshman guard Amir Coffey, All-Big Ten third-team forward Jordan Murphy and Big Ten defensive player of the year Reggie Lynch. The season-ending knee injury to key reserve post Eric Curry was a big blow, but Richard Pitino's top six (including newcomer Isaiah Washington and probable starter Dupree McBrayer) is solid.

Also, Minnesota is the only Big Ten team in 2017-18 with players back who earned all-conference first team, all-freshman team and all-defensive team. The last team to do that was Wisconsin in 2016-17.

The Badgers then had Nigel Hayes returning as a first-team pick and Ethan Happ coming off all-freshman and all-defensive team selections. But in the Gophers' case, we're talking about three different players earning those honors: Mason, Coffey and Lynch. No team has returned that type of trio since Wisconsin welcomed back Frank Kaminsky (Big Ten first-team), Hayes (all-freshman) and Josh Gasser (all-defensive) in 2014-15.

Lindy's Sports picked Northwestern No. 2 (Also, No. 3 by Street & Smith and No. 4 by Athlon).

Here's why: Bryant McIntosh. Bryant McIntosh. Bryant McIntosh. Now that the college basketball world is done swooning over the Wildcats finally making the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, they are now on the McIntosh bandwagon. I can see why. He's one of the most efficient point guards in the country. He's a senior with a ton of big-game experience. And he's a big reason Northwestern coach Chris Collins made history last season. So why not believe McIntosh can help lead the Wildcats a step further and compete for a conference title? He's also got help, though. Vic Law and All-Big Ten third-team selection Scottie Lindsay are two of the top scoring wings in the conference. But it will take a lot more than perimeter power to fulfill that preseason billing of a second-place team.

Street & Smith picked Purdue No. 2 (Also, No. 3 by Athlon and No. 4 by Lindy's)

Here's why: No team lost more with one player than Purdue with Caleb Swanigan. But the Boilermakers looked really, really good at times during their silver medal run in the World University Games representing for Team USA. Outside of Minnesota, Purdue appears to have the most balance inside and outside, mainly with guards Carsen Edwards and Dakota Mathias, forward Vince Edwards and center Isaac Haas. Like McIntosh, Edwards is a Big Ten player of the year candidate. But the biggest question mark for Matt Painter's team is how much depth is behind Haas in the frontcourt?

Athlon preseason Big Ten predictions

Street & Smith