The Big Ten has three teams in the top 25 nationally. Outside those three teams, though, there are only three four-star recruits headed to conference schools. Ohio State boasts an impressive six-man class, and every recruit is ranked in the Rivals150. Five-star prospects Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas are Ohio State's top recruits. Michigan State landed five-star big man Adreian Payne and takes the No. 2 spot in the conference and No. 11 nationally. Illinois, ranked No.13 nationally, is third in the Big Ten with a solid class of three four-star prospects.
Best recruiting battle
Other than five-star big man Adreian Payne, almost all of the top Big Ten recruits committed to schools well in advance of the early signing period. But Payne waited until a week before the early signing period before committing to Michigan State. Coach Tom Izzo beat out some stiff competition to land this high-potential post player. Payne also officially visited Arizona, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Five-star post trio
The Big Ten has an impressive trio of five-star big men headed to the league. The top player, Jared Sullinger, could have a Kevin Love/Tyler Hansbrough-type impact for Ohio State as a freshman. Skilled, intelligent and powerful, Sullinger has an advanced and mature game that closely resembles that of Love's.
Joining Sullinger at Ohio State is high-scoring forward Deshaun Thomas. Physically mature like Sullinger, Thomas will be ready to produce immediately. He and Sullinger will give Ohio State a lethal high/low combination.
Michigan State signee Adreian Payne is the type of player who can be the best player on the court in stretches. But he also can disappear for stretches. An athlete who plays with as much length as any prospect in the 2010 class, Payne should steadily improve early in his career under the tutelage of Tom Izzo.
Solid on the perimeter
There might not be a five-star guard headed to the Big Ten, but there are five four-star guards and six ranked three-star guards coming into the conference. Michigan State will add a heavy dose of perimeter scoring with Keith Appling, the highest-ranked of the four-star guards.
Ohio State has wing scorer Jordan Sibert in addition to its five-star duo. Purdue landed talented guards in Terone Johnson and Anthony Johnson. Illinois' Crandall Head is the other four-star guard.