With the official start of practice next month, UMHoops and Inside the Hall have partnered to bring you our annual preseason breakdown of the top players in the Big Ten. This year, the list has been expanded after the addition of four programs to the conference. The series is broken into seven parts with one post each weekday through Friday, August 30.
Our third installment looking at players 21-25 for the 2024-25 season is available below: 2023-24 stats (39 games): 10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.
9 apg, 41.6% FG, 44.4% 3PFG in 27.
8 mins Why he could outperform this ranking: With two-time national player of the year Zach Edey now in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, Purdue’s offense won’t be as post-centric. And Loyer, the best 3-point shooter in the conference last season, should see his usage rise. Loyer shot 48.
5 percent on 3s in Big Ten play last season. Loyer was terrific in most of the NCAA tournament last season leading up to the national championship game, where he went scoreless in 30 minutes. Why he could underperform this ranking: Braden Smith will be Purdue’s go-to guy, but several underclassmen on the roster could boost their roles in the post-Edey area.
Chief among them are Myles Colvin and Cam Heide, two potential breakout candidates who are both guards. Perhaps Loyer will remain a complementary piece and Purdue will be OK with his usage staying in the 17 percent range where it was last season. 2023-24 stats (39 games): 6.
4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.9 apg, 51.
1% FG, 33.3% 3.