Big Ten Conference Notebook
We’re a month into the season, and things are beginning to shape up in the Big Ten. Let’s take a look at the expected, unexpected, and peculiar aspects of each team’s early resume.
Indiana Hoosiers (8-1)
What we knew: Eric Gordon is the real deal. He’s averaging over 24 points per game and has put the Hoosiers on his back several times. Of all the highly touted freshmen in this year’s class, Gordon has been the most impressive of the perimeter players. It will be a major upset if Gordon doesn’t lead the Big Ten in scoring.
What we didn’t know: When Gordon sits, the Hoosiers have several more than capable fill-in options on the perimeter. Fellow freshman Jordan Crawford has been impressive, tallying 20 points in Indiana’s win over Kentucky as Gordon watched in street clothes. It took Jamarcus Ellis a few games to feel comfortable, but he has scored in double figures in the last five games, and is averaging almost eight rebounds a contest.
What we’ll soon find out: Will Kelvin Sampson solve his team’s puzzling turnover and defensive deficiencies before the conference season? The Hoosiers rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed and turnovers, and the new group of guards will need to shore those areas up.
Michigan State Spartans (8-1)
What we knew: The most experienced team in the conference would be led by senior point guard Drew Neitzel and sophomore swingman Raymar Morgan. The two have combined to average over 30 points per game, and both have scored in double figures every game this year. The rebounding prowess is still there as well: the Spartans rank second in the league in rebounds per game and are out-rebounding their opponents by ten a game.
What we didn’t know: Losing to Grand Valley State? No, it didn’t go as an official loss, but that doesn’t change the fact that it happened. The Spartans have also played a couple unimpressive games, letting Oakland hang around for far too long and failing to put away Bradley. I’m not concerned.
What we’ll soon find out: Will they get that signature win December 22nd against Texas? The Spartans have some nice wins; at Missouri, at Bradley, and at BYU, but a win against Texas would give Tom Izzo’s squad nice momentum heading into the Big Ten season.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-1)
What we knew: The Gophers would play more intense, inspired ball under Tubby Smith than they had in the last few seasons of Dan Monson’s tenure. Every player in Smith’s ten-man rotation is diving for loose balls, crashing the boards and showing signs of life on the offensive end. Despite having virtually the same roster as last season’s squad, it appears to be a completely different team.
What we didn’t know: The Gophers would be an offensive juggernaut. No, the competition hasn’t been of the highest quality, but Minnesota has topped 75 points in five of their first seven games. They hit 75 points four times in 31 games last season. And they’ve shown an ability to put away teams. The Gophers have beaten opponents by 32, 37, and 32 points. Again, a completely different team.
What we’ll soon find out: Can the Gophers win on the road? They have one road win already, at Iowa State, but couldn’t hang with Florida State on their home court. They’ll be tested right away in the conference season: the Gophers start the conference season with a trip to East Lansing and Michigan State.
Wisconsin Badgers (6-2)
What we knew: The Badgers are a balanced team, and as deep as any in the league. They are getting healthy contributions from eight players, and five different players have been the leading scorer in a game. There isn’t an Alando Tucker on this team, obviously, but there are several players capable of filling it up on a particular night.
What we didn’t know: Trevon Hughes. The sophomore point guard is averaging over 16 points a game – this from a player who averaged 1.4 points per game in his freshman campaign. He’s rebounding, moving the ball, creating turnovers and getting to the foul line. A breakout season is on the horizon.
What we’ll soon find out: Is the Badgers’ home court domination ending? Marquette snapped a 28-game home winning streak Saturday. No team plays harder or more precise than Wisconsin at the Kohl Center, but they will be tested in the conference season.
Purdue Boilermakers (5-2)
What we knew: Matt Painter would have his team competing every night, and the stifling half-court defense would keep the Boilers in most games. The freshmen have contributed, as expected, and the frontcourt has stepped up admirably after losing Gordon Watt.
What we didn’t know: Freshman swingman Scott Martin was a nice recruit, but nobody expected him to lead Purdue in scoring. Foul trouble limited his minutes against Missouri, and he tends to drift outside a little much (he’s shooting less than 25% from three), but his production has been a pleasant surprise. He’s fared best when he goes to the basket and gets to the free throw line.
What we’ll soon find out: Can Purdue win the close games? Last year’s closers, Carl Landry and David Teague, are long gone, and the Boilermakers have struggled to find new ones. They let games against Clemson and Missouri slip away in the final minutes. This team should be 7-0. There are few gimmes in the Big Ten, so these early season tests should help Matt Painter’s team.
Illinois Fighting Illini (5-3)
What we knew: Not much. Shaun Pruitt was almost a sure thing, and he has been good, but after that, it was hard to predict. One would guess that Bruce Weber’s tenacious perimeter pressure would keep the Illini close in most games, and that has been the case as well. The problem? Illinois isn’t winning any of those close games.
What we didn’t know: Trent Meacham, not Brian Randle, has stepped up as Illinois’ second offensive option after Pruitt. He’s more than doubled his scoring average of a year ago, and has averaged 21 points in the last two games. If he continues to aggressively seek his shot, he could give Bruce Weber a nice outside option to complement Pruitt.
What we’ll soon find out: Is defense enough to keep Illinois in the top half of the conference? The Illini are simply middle-of-the-pack in most categories, offensive and defensive. They need to find an identity, and they need to win some close games to boost their confidence.
Ohio State Buckeyes (4-3)
What we knew: Ohio State would reload. Freshman stud Kosta Koufos is leading the team in scoring, sophomore David Lighty has a much larger offensive role and gunner Jon Diebler, despite an awful start, will continue to jack up deep balls. They aren’t Oden, Conley and Cook, but they aren’t bad. They’ll score points.
What we didn’t know: A team with this much talent could be capable of being outscored 45-16 in a half by anybody. Such was the case against a good Butler team on December 1st. The Buckeyes held a ten-point halftime lead, and lost the game by 19. Talk about a meltdown. Twenty-four turnovers didn’t help.
What we’ll soon find out: Does this team have a concentration problem? Do they have the guile to close games? They held a halftime lead against North Carolina as well, but were outscored by 14 in the second half. Texas A&M turned a six-point halftime lead into a 23-point blowout. None of the Buckeyes losses were to bad teams, but the way they lost them is concerning.
Iowa Hawkeyes (6-5)
What we knew: It was going to be a struggle for first-year coach Todd Lickliter. Iowa opened with wins against borderline Division I schools, but lost four in a row at home to Bradley, Utah State, Wake Forest and Louisiana-Monroe. Justin Johnson is leading the team in scoring, and the return of Tony Freeman will help, but the drop-off to the next offensive option is steep.
What we didn’t know: A proud Big Ten school would lose at home to mediocre WAC and Sun Belt schools. The Hawkeyes lost four home games all of last year. Part of the problem has been the lack of production up front. Freshman Jarryd Cole is outperforming upper-classmen Kurt Looby, Cyrus Tate and Seth Gorney. That doesn’t say much about their performance.
What we’ll soon find out: Can this team find an identity? The top four scorers are guards, but perimeter points will be hard to come by in Big Ten play, especially from a group of players who struggle to create their own shots. Some sort of inside presence will be necessary.
Northwestern Wildcats (4-4)
What we knew: Northwestern would struggle to score, rebound, and stay in games. They simply didn’t have the firepower on paper, and that has translated to the court. However, their style of play is confusing and frustratingly slow, and unfamiliar opponents have trouble controlling the tempo at times.
What we didn’t know: How the Wildcats would respond to the absence of their leader, sophomore forward Kevin Coble. Coble is home with his mother, who has breast cancer, and hopes to return to the team for the conference season. Coble probably could have narrowed a 42-point loss to Virginia, but that seems inconsequential.
What we’ll soon find out: Will Coble’s return be enough to get Bill Carmody some Big Ten wins? Freshman guard Michael Thompson is off to a good start, and he and Coble could be a nice duo for the next few years.
Penn State Nittany Lions (4-4)
What we knew: Geary Claxton and Jamelle Cornley can score and rebound. But there’s not much else to like, especially defensively. PSU has given up more than 70 points five times already, and is at the bottom of the league in most defensive categories.
What we didn’t know: How inconsistent the Nittany Lions could be. They have nice wins over Seton Hall and Virginia Tech, but puzzling losses to Rider and Central Florida. What gives?
What we’ll soon find out: Is this it for Ed DeChellis?
Michigan Wolverines (3-6)
What we knew: Like the last few teams, it would be a struggle. The Wolverines returned virtually nothing from last year’s squad. We assumed freshmen guards Manny Harris and Kelvin Grady would provide a boost, but it just hasn’t been enough. Not enough to beat even Harvard.
What we didn’t know: Harvard! Beating Michigan in basketball! This is bad.
What we’ll soon find out: Will John Beilein continue to encourage his team of poor shooters to jack up an alarming number of three-pointers? They’ve taken 193 in nine games, and are making about a third of them. Not bad, considering that they’re shooting only 41 percent from the field overall.
