The Big Ten has always been perceived as one of the best conferences year after year throughout the college basketball landscape. The 2015-2016 season is nothing out of the norm as Maryland, Michigan State, Michigan, Indiana, and even Wisconsin have a chance of playing in Houston come next April.

The future remains bright as the 2016 class brings in a wealth of talent and while the past few years haven’t been the best when it comes to landing some of its top targets, Michigan State could quite possibly finish with the best recruiting class in all of America.

Need a low post big? Izzo got it. Need a facilitating point guard? Izzo got it. Need an alpha dog athlete? Izzo got it. Need a defensive dynamo? Izzo got it. The 2016 class is beyond superb for the Spartans as they have the best-committed lead guard in Cassius Winston, one of the best and most versatile defenders in Josh Langford, one of the best low block scorers and area rebounders in Nick Ward, and lastly, have the best, overall recruit within the Big 10 in Miles Bridges. Michigan State has gotten by on quality fits in the past; this time around, they are going to succeed even further based upon the ideal fits and the ideal talent signed and headed to East Lansing next fall.

The second-ranked class might surprise but Pat Chambers has been slowly waiting for this day and it looks like Penn State has room for optimism. One of the biggest and sturdiest lead guards in America is signed for the Big 10 bunch as Tone Carr brings two of his buddies with him to Happy Valley. A walking double-double in the face-up 4 variety in Lamar Stevens and quality athlete and dependable perimeter defender Nazeer Bostick take their talents from the City of Brotherly Love two hours northwest to PSU. Top it off with mismatch forward Joe Hampton out of the DMV and the Nittany Lions sit happily at the number two spot.

A quality two-man crop heads to Maryland as Anthony Cowan remains within the area and looks to be the heir apparent to Melo Trimble in the coming years at the lead guard spot. Throw in 6-foot-4 guard Kevin Huerter, an outside marksman with an elite feel and passing acumen to him and the Terps look more than ready to keep the lofty rankings that have been placed upon them heading into this season.

Michigan is right there with the rest of the pack bringing in four quality recruits to campus led by Xavier Simpson. The Ohio native surprised many when he committed to John Beilein and his staff and should be a guiding hand in the development of other signees Austin Davis, Jon Teske, and Ibi Watson, the latter being a 6-foot-5 wing with tremendous potential ahead of him.

Minnesota and Ohio State display potential top-30 classes where the Gophers are headlined by in-state commit Amir Coffey, a 6-foot-5 playmaking wing with quality upside. The Buckeyes kept two of the best big men in the state with Derek Funderburk and Micah Potter, both of whom should solidify the interior for years to come alongside current freshman center Daniel Giddens.

Don’t forget about Iowa and even though they only boast one top-100 commit with hard playing but undersized 4-man Tyler Cook, they bring in excellent fits to the system that Fran McCaffery runs out with lead guard Jordan Bohannon, whose brother starred at Wisconsin a few years back, along with 15-feet and in big men Cordell Pemsl and Ryan Kreiner, the latter being a below the rim but tremendous rebounder of the ball at the 5-spot.

Northwestern signed three prospects in the early signing period led by Rapolas Ivanauskas. There are good fits and then there are great fits; the 6-foot-9 forward fits the latter where the in-state recruit is slippery on the attack to the basket but great out of pick and pop situations.

Nebraska has a sleeper class heading to Lincoln with two quality frontcourt pieces. Jeriah Horne is the ideal small-ball 4-man who can pass it, shoot it, and rebound the ball. Alongside the 6-foot-6 forward is Isaiah Roby, a high ceiling forward with quality agility at 6-foot-9 and deceptive ball skills in the half-court setting.

Indiana made a big jump to No. 4 overall in the Big Ten team rankings with the addition of Top 50 player De'Ron Davis, who announced on Thursday for the Hoosiers. He joins Curt Jones, a 6-foot-3 scoring guard with a quality outside jumper as the headliners. 

Purdue and Illinois each brought in one signee this early period, all three coming in the guard variety. Wisconsin and Rutgers hasn’t signed anyone just yet but each remain involved with a few recruits that won’t sign until the late period. 

Corey Evans’ take: Michigan State has all of the pieces headed to campus next fall that would allow for several Final Four appearances as they remain in the hunt for elite wing Josh Jackson. However, Penn State gets the spotlight here. Pat Chambers took some heat last year about his lack of success in State College but after landing a sleeper but talented 2015 class, the 2016 group should concoct with those already in Happy Valley in creating for a few NCAA Tournament appearances and runs in the coming years.

Biggest recruiting story: No guesses on this one as Michigan State lands a top-three class and a group of individuals that all should buy in and produce from day one in East Lansing.

RANKING THE BIG TEN CLASSES

1. Michigan State
2. Penn State
3. Maryland
4. Indiana
5. Michigan
6. Minnesota
7. Ohio State
8. Iowa
9. Northwestern
10. Nebraska
11. Purdue
12. Illinois
13T. Rutgers
13T. Wisconsin

BIG TEN CLASS SUPERLATIVES