Big Ten Conference 2008-09 Preview
The formula of recent years in the Big Ten has been as follows:
Step One: Start with two very good, potentially elite teams.
Step Two: Add another couple tournament-ready teams to the mix.
Step Three: Blend in a few average, borderline tourney-bound squads.
Step Four: Throw away the rest.
Let’s see how the recipe fits this year’s conference.
Step One: Michigan State and Purdue have Elite 8 talent.
Two: Wisconsin and Ohio State figure to be NCAA Tournament locks.
Three: Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois and Penn State – can we put them on the bubble already?
Four: Iowa, Indiana, Northwestern. Yuck.
Depth has been an issue in the conference, with the bottom teams mattering as little as any in the coined BCS Conferences. That may change some year, but not this one. The top four teams seem clear, and it’s the middle tier of the league that could provide an upstart squad with a chance to make a splash. Teams, in general, are very young and guard-heavy. It may make for a speedier conference, but the youth could also lead to sloppiness. Speedy and sloppy does not a tournament team make. The teams that can harness their speed and season their youth may stand out.
Last season saw the arrival of three big-name coaches to the conference, but this year there’s only one. Tom Crean arrived at Indiana via Marquette and was swiftly greeted with the grisliest roster I’ve ever seen. It will be a true test of patience.
It’s a long season; I hesitate to handicap it this early. But when the brackets are revealed in mid-March 2009, the Big Ten should produce four of the 65 NCAA Tournament ingredients, with one or two teams in the optional ingredient category.
Pre-Season All Conference Teams
First Team
G Manny Harris, Michigan
G E’Twuan Moore, Purdue
C B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
F Robbie Hummel, Purdue
F Raymar Morgan, Michigan State
Second Team
G Kalin Lucas, Michigan State
G Trevon Hughes, Wisconsin
F Kevin Coble, Northwestern
F Jamelle Cornley, Penn State
F Marcus Landry, Wisconsin
Third Team
G Chris Kramer, Purdue
G Demetri McCamey, Illinois
G Devron Bostick, Minnesota
C Goran Suton, Michigan State
F Evan Turner, Ohio State
All-Freshman Team
G Matt Gatens, Iowa
G Devoe Joseph, Minnesota
G William Buford, Ohio State
C B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
F Delvon Roe, Michigan State
Conference Hardware
Player of the Year: Raymar Morgan, Michigan State
Freshman of the Year: B.J. Mullens, Ohio State
Newcomer of the Year: Devron Bostick, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Kramer, Purdue
Most Improved Player: Evan Turner, Ohio State
Coach of the Year: Thad Matta, Ohio State
Coach on the Hot Seat: Bill Carmody, Northwestern
Projected Order of Finish:
1. Michigan State Spartans (27-9, 12-6 Big Ten, 4th)
Projected Starters:
G Kalin Lucas, 6-0 So. (10.3 ppg, 3.8 apg)
G Chris Allen, 6-3 So.
C Goran Suton, 6-10 Sr. (9.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg)
F Raymar Morgan, 6-8 Jr. (14 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
F Delvon Roe, 6-8 Fr.
Key Games: 12/3 vs. North Carolina (ACC/Big Ten Challenge), 12/20 vs. Texas, 2/17 @Purdue
Tom Izzo’s 14th group of Spartans may be his most athletic to date. It starts with junior swingman Raymar Morgan, last year’s team scoring leader and contender for conference player of the year. Morgan can be spectacular, but has struggled with consistency. Izzo is again blessed with the rangy, fast-breaking wings he’s seemingly had every year since Morris Peterson came to East Lansing. The sophomore duo of Chris Allen and Durrell Summers provide transition scores and three-point shooting that put opposing defenses on their heels. And let’s not forget about the ignition to this sports car, Kalin Lucas. He’s the most exciting point guard in the Big Ten and one who’ll make MSU’s following forget about Drew Neitzel. It would be a mistake not to mention Travis Walton, who’ll provide senior leadership and backcourt versatility off the bench. All in all, it’s the deepest and most talented backcourt in the conference.
While the frontcourt can’t match the backcourt in style points, it is more than capable of executing Izzo’s trademark style: solid screens, crafty dives to the hoop, physical rebounding and a defensive presence. It also trumps the backcourt in experience, starting with senior bruiser Goran Suton. There aren’t many of his kind – think big caveman with touch – left in the league. He’s improved in each of the last two seasons, and his final campaign should produce far more than the eight double-doubles he tallied last year. Marquise Gray is a space-eating specimen and a decent rebounder, and Idong Ibok provides a bit of defensive intimidation via the swat. Freshman stud Delvon Roe will instantly upgrade the group from an athleticism standpoint and is a future star. Draymond Green, another frosh, is Big Ten-ready at 6-7, 240.
The Spartans, an NCAA staple during Izzo’s tenure, have reached the Sweet 16 only twice in the last five years. Barring injury, I’d be stunned if they didn’t make it three of the last six.
2. Purdue Boilermakers (25-9, 15-3, 2nd)
Projected Starters:
G Chris Kramer, 6-3 Jr.
G E’Twaun Moore, 6-3 So. (12.9 ppg)
G Keaton Grant, 6-4 Jr. (11.2 ppg)
C JaJuan Johnson, 6-10 So.
F Robbie Hummel, 6-8 So. (11.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Key Games: 12/2 vs. Duke (ACC/Big Ten Challenge), 12/20 vs. Davidson (In Indianapolis), 3/7-8 @Michigan State
Purdue is the trendy pick to win the league, and it’s easy to see why. Matt Painter arrived to a bare cupboard three years ago, but has now stocked it with fresh bodies, ones who’ll be in West Lafayette a while. The Boilers’ Big Ten win totals have climbed from three to 15 in Painter’s three-year reign, and a league title is the next logical step.
The talent is there. Purdue returns seven players who played at least 16 minutes a game, and every necessary component of a winning team is there. E’Twaun Moore is the team’s best scorer and can bury an opposing team in a few possessions. Keaton Grant hit 44 percent from deep last year and can’t be left alone. Marcus Green is a solid leader and good rebounder from the guard spot. Chris Kramer is the best defensive guard in the conference and a good floor leader. And Robbie Hummel could be the best all-around player in the Big Ten. Only Green is a senior.
Painter will count on sophomore JaJuan Johnson and senior Nemanja Calasan to control the boards, and freshman point guard Lewis Jackson will bring some pace to the offense off the bench. The more you look at this roster, the more you like it. It’s easy to envision this trendy pick to become simply a trend at the top of the conference standings.
3. Wisconsin Badgers (31-5, 16-2, 1st)
Projected Starters:
G Trevon Hughes, 6-0 Jr. (11.2 ppg)
G Jason Bohannon, 6-2 Jr.
C Jon Leuer, 6-10 So.
F Joe Krabbenhoft, 6-7 Sr. (6.5 rpg)
F Marcus Landry, 6-7 Sr. (10.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Key Games: 12/6 @Marquette, 12/23 vs. Texas, 2/14 vs. Ohio State
Another fall, another group of major contributors gone, and yet, you’d be foolish to think that, come March, Bo Ryan won’t have his team in another conference title chase. That’s just how Wisconsin works. Lose big-bodied leader Brian Butch, and two more seniors – Marcus Landry and Joe Krabbenhoft – are there to replace him. Gone is sticky-fingered guard Michael Flowers, but in his place comes sharpshooter Jason Bohannon. Wisconsin has developed a system where players learn under senior leaders and are ready to emerge and become those leaders when their time is up. As Landry, Krabbenhoft, Bohannon and junior point guard Trevon Hughes step into those leadership roles, others are poised to move into the now-vacated role player slots. We’ll get to those assignments in a moment.
But first, let’s return to those leaders-to-be. Landry and Krabbenhoft are classic Badger front-liners: gritty, pesky and productive. Without question, they are the toughest tandem in the conference. Hughes is the team’s leading returning scorer, one who can penetrate with ease and finish among the trees. Simply put, he’s the only Badger who can create his own shot or get open looks for others. He’ll need to build on a solid sophomore campaign and prove he can be a leader.
So who’ll step into the complementary roles? Up front, Ryan will count on big minutes from sophomores Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankovil. Leuer played in 32 games as a freshman, and plays outside-in, similar to Brian Butch. In the backcourt, look for increased minutes from senior Morris Cain and sophomore Tim Jarmusz. Freshman guards Jordan Taylor and Robert Wilson will also have an opportunity to contribute.
You’re never sure exactly how they’ll get there, but Bo Ryan usually has his squad near the top of the league. I expect this year to be no different.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (24-13, 10-8, 5th)
Projected Starters:
G Anthony Crater, 6-1 Fr.
G William Buford, 6-5 Fr.
C B.J. Mullens, 7-0 Fr.
F David Lighty, 6-5 Jr. (9 ppg)
F Evan Turner, 6-7 So.
Key Games: 12/6 vs. Notre Dame (In Indianapolis), 12/13 vs. Butler, 2/14 @Wisconsin
Does Ohio State have the talent to be the fourth-best team in the Big Ten? Without question. Is the roster full of big names and scary matchup problems? Not exactly. Really, OSU gets the nod here for two reasons: Thad Matta’s recent record and the overall weakness of the rest of the league.
As has been the case for the past two years, the Buckeyes will be talented but young. And as in those years, the biggest name on the Bucks’ roster is a seven-foot freshman. Oden, Koufos, and now B.J. Mullens, a more traditional post player who’s already getting conference player of the year buzz. For certain, he’ll anchor the front line. Flanking him will be a pair of slashers in junior David Lighty and sophomore Evan Turner. Lighty is a good all-around player and OSU’s best defender. Turner is a natural guard, but I suspect we’ll see him at the small forward spot due to the roster’s lack of size. He is the next scoring option after Mullens. Thad Matta will need production from beefy sophomore Dallas Lauderdale, a good rebounder with little polish on the offensive end. Junior center Kyle Madsen should see his 4.2 minutes per game increase as well.
The backcourt will be the most youthful in the conference, save Indiana. Freshmen William Buford and Anthony Crater have a chance to start immediately, and the biggest question mark entering the season is whether Crater can handle the point guard spot. Buford should be fine at the off guard – he edged out Mullens for Mr. Basketball in Ohio. Sniper Jon Diebler is much better than last year’s 30 percent shooting indicates, and he’s an option to start if Matta wants to use Buford as a spark off the bench.
There may be some growing pains early as the new faces learn to play together, but the freshmen should be guiding OSU back to the dance again come March.
5. Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-14, 8-10, 6th)
Projected Starters:
G Al Nolen, 6-1 So.
G Lawrence Westbrook, 6-0 Jr.
G Devron Bostick, 6-5 Jr.
C Jonathan Williams, 6-9 Sr.
F Damien Johnson, 6-7 Jr.
Key Games: 12/20 vs. Louisville (Stadium Shootout in Glendale, AZ), 1/8 @Iowa, 3/3-5 vs. Wisconsin
Could Minnesota be this year’s Purdue? There are some similarities. Minnesota will be without graduated leading scorers Lawrence McKenzie, Dan Coleman and Spencer Tollackson, while Purdue replaced lost seniors Carl Landry and David Teague. Purdue’s deep, balanced recruiting class was expected to carry the load, much as Tubby Smith’s class will be needed this year. So can Minnesota expect to go 15-3 in the Big Ten? No. With that said, a winning conference season is in sight for a program that hasn’t had one since 2004-05.
The excitement starts with Smith’s first recruiting class. Each player of the five-member class will have a chance to contribute right away. The biggest recruit, in both name and stature, is Ralph Sampson III. Yes, that Ralph Sampson. He and 6-10 Colton Iverson will bolster a depleted frontcourt. The backcourt welcomes junior college player of the year Devron Bostick, who will be expected to be the Gophers’ main scoring threat. Devoe Joseph is a talented combo guard from Ontario and Paul Carter, another JuCo transfer, will provide athleticism and length.
Let’s not forget about the returning pieces, who’ll still be crucial to Smith’s puzzle. Sophomore point guard Al Nolen was inconsistent, but is a terrific perimeter defender and decent floor leader. They’ll need him to be more aggressive on offense and cut down on highlight-reel turnovers. Off guard Lawrence Westbrook is a beast on both ends of the floor, but has a tendency to lose control of his body. Damian Johnson fills the stat sheet, but the Gophers will need him to play bigger than his wiry 6-7 frame indicates. He’ll miss the first few weeks of the season with a broken hand but will be back for the first tests. Blake Hoffarber hit some big shots last year and remains the team’s biggest outside threat. Jonathan Williams will need to stay out of foul trouble at the center spot.
Gopher fans are excited, more than any other time this millennium. This may not be the breakthrough year, but it’s on the horizon.
6. Michigan Wolverines (10-22, 5-13, 10th)
Projected Starters:
G Kelvin Grady, 5-11 So.
G Manny Harris, 6-5 So. (16.1 ppg)
C Zack Gibson, 6-10 Jr.
F Anthony Wright, 6-6 So.
F DeShawn Sims, 6-8 Jr. (12.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Key Games: 12/6 vs. Duke, 1/14 @Illinois, 2/26 vs. Purdue
It’s been a while since Michigan last danced, and second-year head coach John Beilein better hope his style takes hold in Ann Arbor soon. Michigan’s roster wasn’t meant for Beilein’s five-out style last year. The Wolverines shot only 39 percent, and only 31 percent from deep, and three-point shooting is the backbone of Beilein’s offense. A year of tailoring and some new pieces make the maize and blue’s future a little brighter.
Sophomore guard Manny Harris is a budding star and could average 20 points in Beilein’s offense. At 6-5, he can handle the ball, explode to the basket, or shoot over smaller defenders. He must improve in two areas: he shot just 38 percent last year and had 29 more turnovers than assists. Harris will welcome Arizona transfer Laval Lucas-Perry, a great perimeter defender and penetrator, who becomes eligible in late December. They could turn out to be the best backcourt duo in the league. Sophomore point guard Kelvin Grady had his growing pains as a freshman, but Lucas-Perry and Harris should alleviate some pressure. There will still be minutes available for backcourt seniors C.J. Lee and David Merritt, but they may be pushed by freshman guards. Both Stu Douglass and Zack Novak, two such freshmen, are three-point threats, and success from distance will be rewarded in this offense.
Michigan’s frontcourt is much thinner. Starting center and swat specialist Ekpe Udoh left for Baylor, leaving 6-10 junior Zack Gibson as the likely starter. Gibson is decent on the glass and must control the paint in Beilein’s 1-3-1 zone defense. Junior forward DeShawn Sims is the team’s best rebounder and will remain the number one scoring option inside. Sims has a tendency to fall in love with the three, however, and he may be better off staying inside. Sophomore Anthony Wright should get a chance to start and senior Jevohn Shepherd will see some minutes as well.
Michigan is still young, still perfecting Beilein’s system, but they have depth. Each of the eight returning players averaged double-digit minutes last year. With more talented bodies to throw in the mix, Michigan is headed in the right direction and may have a .500 conference squad.
7. Illinois Fighting Illini (16-19, 5-13, 9th)
Projected Starters:
G Demetri McCamey, 6-3 So. (8.2 ppg, 3.3 apg)
G Trent Meacham, 6-2 Jr. (10.1 ppg)
C Mike Tisdale, 7-1 So.
G/F Calvin Brock, 6-5 Sr.
F Mike Davis, 6-10 So.
Key Games: 11/20 @Vanderbilt, 12/2 vs. Clemson (ACC/Big Ten Challenge), 2/8 vs. Purdue
Just four years ago, Illinois was 15-1 in the Big Ten and played in the national title game. Their conference win totals have fallen each year since, bottoming out last year with a 5-13 record and ninth-place finish. It may not get worse this year in Champaign, but it’s probably not getting a lot better.
The strength of the team will be the backcourt depth, with four 20-minute guards returning. Senior point guard Chester Frazier is a good competitor and leader, but has yet to live up to expectations. His minutes may be cut into by sophomore Demetri McCamey, who finished last season on a tear. He’s shown the ability to take over as a scorer but is also adept at getting teammates involved. This could be a breakout year for him. Also back are outside threat and leading returning scorer Trent Meacham and 6-5 senior Calvin Brock, the team’s most explosive athlete. The most heralded of the bunch, Kentucky transfer Alex Legion, has yet to step on the court for Bruce Weber, but when he becomes eligible in December he’ll certainly be in the mix. There are plenty of options, but are there enough minutes to go around? One thing is for sure; the team can finally move on from the two-year Jamar Smith saga, as he was dismissed from the team in August.
Illinois, on the flip side, is thin both in depth and girth along its front line. Weber’s first option to replace Shaun Pruitt and Brian Randle will probably be 7-1 sophomore Mike Tisdale. He’s not quite ready to bang with the big boys, but they’ll need him to be a more effective rebounder. Sophomore Mike Davis should see his minutes increase as well, and gives the Illini some athleticism in the paint. The recruiting class includes three players 6-7 or taller, and Illinois needs bodies.
It’s probably a year or two early for an NCAA Tournament prediction, but I’ve got no problem forecasting 20 wins and an NIT berth.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions (15-16, 7-11, 7th)
Projected Starters:
G Talor Battle, 5-11 So. (10.2 ppg)
G Danny Morrissey, 6-3 Sr.
F Jamelle Cornley, 6-5 Sr. (12.1 ppg, 6 rpg)
F Andrew Jones III, 6-9 So.
F David Jackson, 6-6 So.
Key Games: 11/28 vs. Rhode Island (Philly Classic), 12/6 vs. Temple, 3/3-5 vs. Illinois
I’ve been hesitant to hand out an optimistic Penn State preview since 2006, when I proclaimed “tourney-bound” for what turned out to be a 2-14 squad. And I’ll remain hesitant until proven wrong in the other direction. I feel safe that it won’t be this year, but there’s some intriguing talent on Ed DeChellis’ roster.
Every preseason, there’s one player you swear has been around for a decade. Penn State’s Jamelle Cornley is that player. He’s the conference’s only returning 1,000-point scorer, and has 500 rebounds on his resume as well. He’ll likely be the team’s leading scorer and rebounder again, but can sometimes bog down the Nittany Lions’ offensive flow. Three-point specialist Danny Morrissey is another DeChellis staple, but I’m fairly confident this is their last rodeo in Happy Valley.
It’s starting to become a theme, but again, I like this roster’s guards more than the bigs. Talor Battle logged 30 minutes a game as a freshman point guard, and that experience bodes well for his future. He shot only 34 percent last season, yet averaged double-figures in a grind-it-out conference. There’s optimism there. Senior combo guard Stanley Pringle is Morrissey’s platoon-mate and a good distributor. Incoming freshman Chris Babb will give PSU some backcourt size and another scoring option off the bench.
Up front, Cornley is joined by a pair of sophomores in David Jackson and Andrew Jones III. Jackson started toward the end of last year and enters the year as an incumbent. Jones and fellow sophomore Jeff Brooks will provide the size. At 6-9 and 6-8, they’re about as tall as PSU gets.
Ed DeChellis cooled his seat a bit last year with a respectable record and some decent wins. Something tells me he’s only one season away from the burner. Can he stave it off again?
9. Iowa Hawkeyes (13-19, 6-12, 8th)
Projected Starters:
G Jeff Peterson, 6-0 So.
G Matt Gatens, 6-5 Fr.
G Jake Kelly, 6-6 So.
F Jarryd Cole, 6-7 So.
F Cyrus Tate, 6-8 Sr. (8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Key Games: 11/28 vs. West Virginia (Las Vegas Invitational), 12/12 vs. Iowa State, 1/8 vs. Minnesota
It was a sobering first season for Todd Lickliter at Iowa. Help is on the way, but the buzz word in Iowa City is patience.
The Hawkeyes knew they were losing two starters in Justin Johnson and Seth Gorney at the end of the season. They were unaware, though, that their leading scorer and most exciting player, Tony Freeman, would leave for Southern Illinois. Needless to say, there is a void to be filled. The best bet to fill part of it is sophomore guard Jake Kelly, who started the majority of the year as a freshman. He became a bigger scoring threat toward the end of the season. Incoming freshman Matt Gatens is highly regarded and could produce the minute he steps onto the court. The point guard spot is sophomore Jeff Peterson’s to lose, and the deciding factor will be ball protection. Peterson finished last year with more turnovers than assists. As a group, the guards will need to shoot the ball much better if they want to keep defenses honest. Junior college transfers Devan Bawinkel and Jermain Davis, along with freshman Anthony Tucker, may help the Hawkeyes’ woeful shooting numbers.
Iowa has just three players taller than 6-7, including reserve freshman Andrew Brommer, and have no players taller than 6-9. That may not be a huge issue if sophomore Jarryd Cole can come back from knee surgery. Cole and senior springboard Cyrus Tate give Lickliter a nice duo up front. Tate progressed well last year and went from a garbage-point athlete to a respectable offensive threat. Iowa’s plodding style leaves no room for second scoring opportunities, so Cole and Tate will have to control the defensive boards and stay out of foul trouble. After them, the cupboard’s pretty bare.
Many of the teams in the bottom half of the conference have reasons to be optimistic, and Iowa is no different. They will certainly play stingy defense and nobody questions Todd Lickliter’s coaching ability. With that said, points are going to have to come from somewhere if Iowa wants to be a factor.
10. Indiana Hoosiers (25-8, 14-4, 3rd)
Projected Starters:
G Devan Dumes, 6-2 Jr.
G Nick Williams, 6-3 Fr.
G Verdell Jones III, 6-4 Fr.
F Tom Pritchard, 6-8 Fr.
F Kyle Taber, 6-7 Sr.
Key Games: 11/24 vs. Notre Dame (Maui Invitational), 12/6 vs. Gonzaga, 3/3-5 vs. Michigan State
Talk about bare cupboards. Indiana’s were taken out of the wall completely during the off-season and shipped out to various destinations. The numbers are shocking: the Hoosiers return averages of 1.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and .2 assists. Total.
Here’s the roll call: Eric Gordon and D.J. White: NBA. Lance Stemler, Mike White and A.J. Ratliff: graduated. Armon Bassett, Jamarcus Ellis, DeAndre Thomas and Brandon McGee: dismissed. Jordan Crawford and Eli Holman: transferred. That’s 80.7 points per game gone. Obviously, the dismissed and disgraced Kelvin Sampson is gone as well, but I’ll waste no more keystrokes on him here.
So who does first-year coach Tom Crean turn to? Eight incoming freshmen (including three walk-ons) and two junior college transfers. But let’s start with the returnee, senior forward Kyle Taber. Go ahead and pencil him in as a starter, but we know little about his game. 6-8 freshman Tom Pritchard looks to be in line for a starting spot at either forward or center, depending on how small Crean wants to go.
Most of the top recruits will play in the backcourt. Junior College transfer Devan Dumes will handle the point initially and will have to be a leader on and off the court for this very young team. Verdell Jones III can also play some point at 6-4. Nick Williams, an original Crean recruit at Marquette, leads the rest of the guards. Malik Story and Matt Roth are also going to play heavy minutes.
It should make for an interesting year in Bloomington. Hoosier fans aren’t renown for their patience, but they’ll have to be. It may be an unusually painful season at Indiana.
11. Northwestern Wildcats (8-22, 1-17, 11th)
Projected Starters:
G Michael Thompson, 5-10 So. (11.6 ppg, 4.3 apg)
G Craig Moore, 6-4 Sr. (13.4 ppg)
C Kyle Rowley, 7-0 Fr.
F Mike Capocci, 6-6 So.
F Kevin Coble, 6-8 Jr. (15.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Key Games: 12/6 vs. DePaul, 12/20 @Stanford, 2/25 @Indiana
How can I possibly project a team behind Indiana, you ask? Well, when a team goes 3-31 in the Big Ten over the last two seasons, you’ll forgive me for taking a believe-it-when-I-see-it approach. Northwestern is that team, and they’ve long been the outcast of the conference.
On paper, Bill Carmody’s roster doesn’t look too shabby. Junior forward Kevin Coble is the most unassuming star in the nation. It’s unorthodox and sometimes downright ugly, but at the end of the game he’ll usually have close to 20 points. Michael Thompson played well for a freshman point guard and will only get better. Steady senior shooter Craig Moore led the conference in three-pointers made per game. But again, this team went 1-17.
Alongside Coble, Carmody will hope for contributions from Mike Capocci and Ivan Peljusic. The bigger contribution may end up coming from 7-0 freshman Kyle Rowley, who, at 280 pounds, will give the Wildcats a post factor they’ve been sorely missing. In all, four incoming freshmen stand 6-8 or taller. That’s a much-needed crop for the worst rebounding team in the Big Ten.
Thompson and Moore will be joined by senior Sterling Williams, a decent mix guy, and juniors Jeremy Nash and Jeff Ryan. It’s not a lot to get excited about, frankly.
Certainly it won’t be another 1-17 campaign in Evanston. But I’d say six wins would be asking a lot.
Big Ten Outlook
The top four teams in the Big Ten, the staples of the recipe, seem obvious. I’m looking forward to sorting out the middle of the league. Can any of them end up with a tournament-caliber resume? It’s a young league, filled with talented guards and piece-it-together frontcourts. For fans, maybe that will mean a more exciting brand of basketball. In recent years, it seems the Big Ten has fallen behind in athleticism and tempo, and that may be beginning to turn.
But let’s be real. The Big Ten has always been a defense-first conference, and in the final minutes of a tight game in late February, the pace will slow and the physicality will increase. The seasoned coaches and established programs know the drill. Michigan State and Wisconsin have been there. Ohio State is close to that status, and Purdue got a taste last season. It’s the other programs, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Penn State, that will need to learn how to win those late-season games to prove they are worthy of being included in the discussion. I, for one, am ready to talk about those who earn the right.
