The summer months bring the depths of the college basketball offseason. While the NBA draft is still two weeks away, the recent early-entry decision deadline represented the final college basketball-centric news of the process.
That date mostly finalized each Big Ten team’s roster entering the upcoming 2025-26 season. Notably, it saw several All-Conference-caliber players, including Ohio State‘s Bruce Thornton, Michigan‘s Yaxel Lendeborg, Wisconsin’s John Blackwell and Oregon‘s Nate Bittle, opt to return to college. Their decisions significantly impacted the conference landscape for the upcoming season, as seen in our latest power rankings.
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Related: Re-ranking all 18 Big Ten basketball arenas from worst to first
Now, with several quiet months upcoming, it’s time for a different look at the Big Ten basketball landscape, one that completely ignores the on-court product.
That look: An updated ranking of the conference’s 18 home and away uniform kits.
We recently updated our rankings for the conference’s football helmets and full football uniforms. Now, here is our ranking of its 18 basketball uniforms.
18. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Mar 5, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Lu’Cye Patterson (25) dribbles as Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) defends during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 15
Minnesota’s place at the bottom of this list doesn’t mean it has a bad uniform — it just doesn’t stack up favorably to some of the conference’s best. The yellow colorway is sub-par. The team’s all-maroon and all-white uniforms are far superior.
17. Illinois Fighting Illini
Mar 23, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell (4) reacts after losing to the Kentucky Wildcats in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 6
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Illinois’ uniforms don’t match the program’s annual ranking near the top of the conference power rankings. Some of its new uniforms are a step forward compared to the one pictured above, specifically those with cursive lettering. Still, an orange-based uniform doesn’t rank favorably.
16. Oregon Ducks
The Oregon men’s basketball team gathers on the court during their game against UC Riverside at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene.
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 8
Oregon’s jerseys are downgraded for several reasons. First, the skinny lettering is inferior to the fonts used by most others in the conference. Second, its yellow-on-green or green-on-yellow combinations can be tough on the eyes. Those designs do not check the ‘clean and simple’ box.
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Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
15. USC Trojans
The USC Trojans bench celebrates Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 9
USC’s uniforms are simple, which is a good thing. This ranking is not a knock on the design, but more so on the colorway. Red-on-white, purple-on-white, or green-on-white, as seen elsewhere in the conference, work better than gold-on-cardinal.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
14. Washington Huskies
Feb 22, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Washington Huskies guard Zoom Diallo (9) controls the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 16
Washington has strong uniforms. The design is unique, specifically the texturing on the pant legs. I think these uniforms would get much more run if the Huskies were relevant.
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Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire
13. Purdue Boilermakers
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) and guard Braden Smith (3) react after a play during the second half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the McNeese State Cowboys at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 1
Some of Purdue’s uniforms would rank near the top of this list, while some should be near the bottom. The ones listed above fall into that latter category, while the example below belongs to the former. The spaced-out ‘Purdue’ lettering doesn’t work nearly as well as the underlined name in cursive.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Steven Crowl (22) defends Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, during the NCAA men’s basketball game at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Wisconsin Badgers won 94-84.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 05: Connor Essegian #0 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrates scoring a 3-pointer against the Boise State Broncos in the second half in a semifinal game of the College Basketball Crown tournament at T-Mobile Arena on April 05, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cornhuskers defeated the Broncos 79-69. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 14
Nebraska puts a unique touch on the red-and-white colorway. The new look with a cursive ‘Nebraska’ is a strong addition to the mix. The kits with ‘Nebraska’ work, though the ones with ‘Huskers’ do not.
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Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Lathan Sommerville (24) celebrates after a play during the second half against the USC Trojans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 17
Rutgers, like Nebraska, adds its own touch to the popular red-and-white colorway. It does so with black bordering throughout the uniform, especially around the numbers. It’s a compliment that the name ‘Rutgers’ could be deleted and it would still be clear which program was on the court.
11. Northwestern Wildcats
Jan 26, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) drives the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the second half at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 13
Northwestern’s uniforms check the necessary boxes. They are simple, consistent and unique. Sometimes, a third color isn’t necessary. The strongest designs require just two — the team’s primary color and white.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
Feb 19, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard D’Marco Dunn (2) dribbles the ball towards the basket during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 18
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Penn State’s uniforms fit our criteria of simple and effective. The team wears two combinations, the pictured blue-on-white at home, then an inverse white-on-blue on the road. No flash or unique design is necessary when the branding is simple and consistent. One note: the new uniform with a Nittany Lion logo in place of the ‘Penn State’ lettering needs to be scrapped.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
Jan 11, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Drew Thelwell (3) reacts during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 11
Yellow and black is a strong colorway. To Iowa’s credit, it doesn’t try to do too much with it. Bold lettering on the chest and a consistent home-and-road look are both major positives.
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Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
7. Wisconsin Badgers
Mar 13, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Kamari McGee (4) high-fives Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 4
Wisconsin’s uniforms are the perfect example of simple and effective. The red-and-white bordering gives the uniforms a unique look, as do the shorts’ ‘Motion W’ and horizontal lining. Unlike some other programs in the conference, Wisconsin’s alternates, seen below, are as strong as its normal uniforms.
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 01: John Tonje #9 and Xavier Amos #13 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena on February 01, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jan 9, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) reacts following the close loss against the Oregon Ducks at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 7
Ohio State has the best red-on-white uniforms in the conference. That is due to the uniform’s unique and consistent lettering, plus its gray-and-black accents. Red-on-white at home and white-on-red on the road, with an extra design touch or two, is a great recipe.
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Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
5. Michigan Wolverines
Mar 5, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Danny Wolf (1) dribbles defended by Maryland Terrapins forward Jordan Geronimo (22) in the first half at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 2
Michigan boasts one of the classiest looks in the conference. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better single uniform than the Wolverines’ blue-and-yellow-on-white (seen above). That colorway works better than the blue-on-yellow (seen below). But overall, the uniform’s design is surpassed by only a few.
Feb 21, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Danny Wolf (1) handles the ball during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
4. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State guard Jase Richardson (11) celebrates a three point basket against Wisconsin during the first half of Big Ten Tournament semifinal at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 5
Sorry to Michigan fans, but rival Michigan State has one of those uniform combinations ranked in the top four. The green-and-white uniforms are elevated by their unique lining and the Spartan logo. This is the one program where ‘Spartans’ can work instead of the full school name. Home or road, these jerseys are terrific.
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Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
3. Maryland Terrapins
Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Selton Miguel (9) shoots against Colorado State Rams guard Nique Clifford (10) in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 10
Maryland has a lot going on with its uniforms. While it utilizes up to four colors in some places, the combinations seem to work. The uniform’s lettering and number bordering are unique and give the kit a clear identity. Its red-on-white home uniform is among the best in the conference.
2. UCLA Bruins
Mar 22, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) handles the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 3
While two primary colors may not always work well with other programs, UCLA’s uniforms are an absolute classic. It cycles between yellow-on-blue and blue-on-white, both combinations that work perfectly. The program deserves credit for not trying a third design with yellow as the base color.
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Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
1. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana’s Myles Rice (1), Mackenzie Mgbako (21), Luke Goode (10) and Malik Reneau (5) watch as Anthony Leal shoots a free throw during the Indiana versus Ohio State men’s basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
Team 2025-26 Power Ranking: No. 12
Not much needs to be written about the effectiveness of Indiana’s uniforms. They are the perfect blend of classic, simple and consistent. The program’s road jerseys are an inverse of the home kit, a feature that has been highlighted as a positive in this piece. While the program hasn’t lived up to expectations over the last decade, its on-court look is always second to none.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Big Ten basketball uniform power ranking entering 2025-26 season
