Editors note: This is the first in a series previewing the Illinois baseball season. Look for a positional breakdown of the Illini tomorrow.

Illinois

Head coach: Dan Hartleb

2014 Record: 32-21, 17-7 Big Ten

Postseason: Lost in third round of Big Ten tournament

Illinois is generating a lot of buzz heading into the season. The pitching staff, which head coach Dan Hartleb called the best he’s had during his time at Illinois, returns starters Kevin Duchene, Drasen Johnson and John Kravetz. Closer Tyler Jay has been named a preseason All-American by three separate sources. With the bats of senior outfielders Will Krug, Casey Fletcher and junior catcher Jason Goldstein returning, Illinois is ready to contend for a Big Ten championship.

Indiana

Head coach: Chris Lemonis

2014 Record: 44-15, 21-3

Postseason: Big Ten tournament champions, lost in NCAA Regionals

Indiana enters a new era under first-year head coach Chris Lemonis after Tracy Smith left for Arizona State. With the departure of team leaders Kyle Schwamber, Sam Travis, Joey DeNato, Jake Kelzer and Dustin DeMuth to the pros, the Hoosiers will need new faces to fill in. Indiana returns three starters who hit above .300 last season, including first-team All-Americans Brad Hartong and Scott Donley. 

Iowa

Head coach: Rick Heller

2014 Record: 30-23, 10-14

Postseason: Lost in third round of Big Ten tournament

Coming off of a 30-win season, second-year head coach Rick Heller has four All-Big Ten selections and two-thirds of his starting rotation returning. The Hawkeyes have four quality starters — Calvin Matthews, Tyler Peyton, Blake Hickman and Ryan Erickson — competing for the team’s three starting positions. College Sports Madness named seniors Jake Mangler, Nick Day and Dan Potempa to the All-Big Ten second-team. With such an experienced team, the Hawkeyes will be on of the top teams in the conference.  

Maryland

Head coach: John Szefc

2014 Record: 40-23, 15-14 ACC

Postseason: Lost in ACC tournament, lost in NCAA Super Regionals

Maryland enters its first season in the Big Ten as the favorite to win the conference. The Terrapins boast a strong group of players returning in what is a highly anticipated season in College Park, Maryland. Two All-Americans return, infielder Brandon Lowe and pitcher Mike Shawaryn, along with starters Jose Cuas, Kevin Martir and LaMonte Wade. Many websites have named Maryland a favorite to host a regional and they’re ranked as high as No. 14 by D1Baseball.com.

Michigan

Head coach: Erik Bakich

2014 Record: 30-29-1, 13-11

Postseason: Lost in Big Ten tournament semifinals

The Wolverines look to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten in 2015. They return juniors Jacob Cronenworth and Travis Maezes, both of whom have been named preseason All-Americans. Wolverines infielder Drew Lugbauer and pitcher Jayce Vancena were also named the 37th and 48th best freshmen in the nation, respectively. Michigan should be a team that contends for the top spot in the Big ten. 

Michigan State

Head coach: Jake Boss Jr.

2014 Record: 31-26, 11-13

Postseason: Lost in Big Ten tournament in semifinals

After a subpar conference season, the Spartans made it into the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament before losing to eventual tournament champion Indiana. Michigan State returns senior Blaise Salter, who was named a preseason All-American by the NCBWA. During his six years at Michigan State, head coach Jake Boss Jr. has a record of 194-137. The 197 wins are the most over a six-year span in program history. 

Minnesota

Head coach: John Anderson

2014 Record: 27-24, 13-11

Postseason: Lost in second round of Big Ten tournament

After a successful regular season, the Golden Gophers lost both of their games in the Big Ten tournament and failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Head coach John Anderson’s team is seeking redemption after a quick postseason exit. The team will rely on veteran leadership, particularly in the infield. Seniors Michael Handel and Tony Skjefte and junior Connor Schaefbauer form an experienced infield that has played together for multiple years. Opponents will have a hard time getting anything past the infield, which will allow the Gophers to compete in the Big Ten.

Nebraska

Head coach: Darin Erstad

2014 Record: 41-21, 18-6

Postseason: Runner-up in Big Ten tournament, lost in NCAA Regionals

The Huskers had a successful regular season in 2014, finishing second in the standings and finished second in the Big Ten tournament, losing to Indiana in the championship game. Nebraska looks to continue where it left off last year. The team has strong leadership with eight seniors retuning. It returns top hitters Blake Headley, Ben Miller and Ryan Boldt as well as pitchers Josh Roeder, Jeff Chestnut and Chance Sinclair — a preseason All-American. This team will be determined to get back to Omaha for the College World Series for the first time in 10 years. 

Northwestern

Head coach: Paul Stevens

2014 Record: 19-33, 7-16

Postseason: None

Not much went well for the Wildcats last season. The team failed to make the Big Ten tournament. Head coach Paul Stevens welcomes eight freshmen this year, many of whom will have an opportunity to play this season. Northwestern returns All-American first basemen Matt Hopfner, who led the team in numerous categories, including batting average, hits, runs and starts. The Wildcats are still a few key players away from competing in the Big Ten. 

Ohio State

Head Coach: Greg Beals

2014 Record: 30-28, 10-14

Postseason: Lost in second round of Big Ten tournament

After a short run the in the Big Ten tournament, the Buckeyes look to make the improvements needed to compete in the Big Ten. Ohio State returns seven position players and four starting pitchers. Big Ten Freshman of the Year, starting pitcher Tanner Tully, returns to the mound after finishing with a 2.22 ERA, fifth in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes also return sophomore Ronnie Dawson, who was a second-team All-Big Ten last season.  

Penn State

Head coach: Rob Cooper

2014 Record: 18-32, 5-18

Postseason: None

The Nittany Lions finished last in the Big Ten and failed to qualify for a postseason tournament last season. It’s still a work in progress for second-year head coach Rob Cooper. With eight freshman joining the program, Cooper will need to rely on upperclassmen leadership. He will need to build a team culture in Penn State and continue to try to draw recruits and build a winning program in State College, Pennsylvania. 

Purdue

Head coach: Doug Schreiber

2014 Record: 13-37, 6-18

Postseason: None

The Boilermakers were 9-16 in games decided by two runs or fewer last season. They couldn’t compete consistently last season, entering their first home game with a 3-16 record. This season, Purdue looks to make improvements: It returns six starters and almost the entire bullpen. The team only has seven freshmen, but head coach Doug Schreiber will need each of them to have an impact if Purdue wants stronger play this year.

Rutgers

Head coach: Joe Litterio

2014 Record: 30-25, 14-9 AAC

Postseason: Lost in third round of AAC tournament

The Scarlet Knights enter their first year in the Big Ten with a young team — they only have three seniors on the roster. Rutgers won 11 of its last 14 games last season before falling in the AAC tournament. It will have nine freshmen to go along with three transfers who are eligible to play this season. With such an inexperienced team, the Big Ten season could be rough for the Scarlet Knights.