Big Ten Basketball

[badgercub]

With the conference season fast approaching I thought I would start a thread (although I am sure there are some other threads that may have been started long ago) on how everyone thinks the Big Ten Conference will shake out this year. Who has surprised you in the non-conference and who you think will finish in the upper division.

 

1. Michigan State

2. Illinois

3. Indiana

4 Wisconsin (Biggest surprise thus far)

5. Michigan/Minnesota/Ohio State

8. Iowa

9. Northwestern

10. Purdue

11. Penn State

[rawaction]

That's pretty much how I think it will finish. I'd put Iowa ahead of Minnesota and Michigan, though. I'd have to say that Illinois is the biggest surprise. Everyone knew they would have a pretty good team, but they are a top 5-6 team. I think they have gone from possible Sweet 16 to a team that can make it to the Final 4.

[badgercub]

That's pretty much how I think it will finish. I'd put Iowa ahead of Minnesota and Michigan, though. I'd have to say that Illinois is the biggest surprise. Everyone knew they would have a pretty good team, but they are a top 5-6 team. I think they have gone from possible Sweet 16 to a team that can make it to the Final 4.

 

Alford is a choker that is why I put Iowa so low. I might have even put Indiana down lower, I just think Mike Davis is a horrible coach, but with the talent they have this year they will probably win in spite of him.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I think Ohio State could easily finish third in the conference, but 5th or 6th is probably more realistic.

[UMFan83]

1. Michigan State

2. Indiana

3. Illinois

4. Michigan

5. Ohio State

6. Wisconsin

7. Minnesota

8. Iowa

9. Northwestern

10. Penn State

11. Purdue

 

Of course the Big 10 is shaping up to be pretty damn good this year, I could we way off.

[illiniguy]

1. Michigan State and Illinois the best two teams and this conference with its uneven schedule usually produces a lot of ties.

3. Wisconsin Bo Ryan is a great coach

4. Indiana Mike Davis isn't

5. Iowa Steve Alford isn't, plus now Horner is running around on one leg now.

6. OSU Next year they will jump way up

7. Michigan Great talent, bad coach

8. Minn How long is Grier out?

9. Northwestern Bad team that benefits form PSU and Purdue being in the conference. They will beat one of Illinois, MSU, Wiscy once though because they have some guys who can shoot.

10. Penn St Even Aaron Johnson left

11. Purdue Poor Matt Painter

[badgercub]

1. Michigan State and Illinois the best two teams and this conference with its uneven schedule usually produces a lot of ties.

3. Wisconsin Bo Ryan is a great coach

4. Indiana Mike Davis isn't

5. Iowa Steve Alford isn't, plus now Horner is running around on one leg now.

6. OSU Next year they will jump way up

7. Michigan Great talent, bad coach

8. Minn How long is Grier out?

9. Northwestern Bad team that benefits form PSU and Purdue being in the conference. They will beat one of Illinois, MSU, Wiscy once though because they have some guys who can shoot.

10. Penn St Even Aaron Johnson left

11. Purdue Poor Matt Painter

 

I put Wisconsin 4th, I think they still have some question marks. Bo is a great coach but they are a very young team and once they get to Big Ten Play Brian Butch will get exposed. He is a perimiter player in a big mans body. They do have a lot of depth though that should help them as the season goes on.

[NewUserName]

illiniguy I am glad you mentioned amaker as a bad coach. I know he came into some bad circumstances but really hasnt seemed to make Michigan any better. After the Horton incident last season they also dont seem to have improven off the court too much either.

 

back to post subject I think that Illinois and MSU are still the class. I have been really impressed by the illinis defense so far this year. after these 2 I think its going to be OSU, WIS, IOWA, Ind, Minn, Mich and the field

[Jon]

9. Northwestern Bad team that benefits form PSU and Purdue being in the conference. They will beat one of Illinois, MSU, Wiscy once though because they have some guys who can shoot.

We do? Even Vedran has had about four bad games in a row. Carmody said he was going to try to focus on the inside game since they can't hit a three to save their lives, but that didn't work out all that well last game, either. And considering that there's no inside/rebounding presence, unless something changes, 9th is optimistic.

[CP_414]

With the conference season fast approaching I thought I would start a thread (although I am sure there are some other threads that may have been started long ago) on how everyone thinks the Big Ten Conference will shake out this year. Who has surprised you in the non-conference and who you think will finish in the upper division.

 

1. Michigan State

2. Illinois

3. Indiana

4 Wisconsin (Biggest surprise thus far)

5. Michigan/Minnesota/Ohio State

8. Iowa

9. Northwestern

10. Purdue

11. Penn State

 

1. MSU...Most Talent + Izzo

2. IU...Even Davis can't ruin that much talent

3. Illinois...Weber is a very good Coach

4. Ohio State...Dials is a beast, Thad has a good thing going

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

6. Iowa...Another underachieving year for Alford

7. Michigan...They are getting better.

8. Minnesota...Not that good.

9. Northwestern...I like Carmody, he might win a few he shouldn't

10. Penn State...Um, it's Penn State

11. Purdue...Purdue is really really bad this year. They havn't been this bad in decades. I mean really bad.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

MSU has a brutal Big 10 schedule. They play Purdue, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota once each, and open Big 10 play with @ Illinois, @ Wisconsin, Indiana, and @ OSU. IMO, MSU is the best team in the conference, but they may not win it. I'll take them in the conference tourney and to go the farthest in the NCAA's though.

[Mark_R]

MSU has a brutal Big 10 schedule. They play Purdue, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota once each, and open Big 10 play with @ Illinois, @ Wisconsin, Indiana, and @ OSU. IMO, MSU is the best team in the conference, but they may not win it. I'll take them in the conference tourney and to go the farthest in the NCAA's though.

 

I love MSU on offense, not so much so on defense. Luke Winn of SI wrote a tremendous piece about how defense has been very integral to team success in the tourney last season. MSU's defensive efficiency is pretty awful.

 

If they become even good on D, I agree, they'll be a very tough out in the tourney. And I like guys like Shannon Brown, he was a helluva player in HS and a joy to watch and heckle all the time because he'd have fun with the crowd.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

MSU has a brutal Big 10 schedule. They play Purdue, Penn State, Northwestern, and Minnesota once each, and open Big 10 play with @ Illinois, @ Wisconsin, Indiana, and @ OSU. IMO, MSU is the best team in the conference, but they may not win it. I'll take them in the conference tourney and to go the farthest in the NCAA's though.

 

I love MSU on offense, not so much so on defense. Luke Winn of SI wrote a tremendous piece about how defense has been very integral to team success in the tourney last season. MSU's defensive efficiency is pretty awful.

 

If they become even good on D, I agree, they'll be a very tough out in the tourney. And I like guys like Shannon Brown, he was a helluva player in HS and a joy to watch and heckle all the time because he'd have fun with the crowd.

 

MSU's defense has been pretty bad thus far, but the efficiency statistics are somewhat inflated this point by their SOS and the triple overtime game. I think the development of Gray and Trannon's presence will go a long way to helping them, in addition to Izzo hammering them over the break.

[SouthSideRyan]

1. Illinois

2. MSU

3. Wisconsin

4. Ohio St.

5. Indiana

6. Michigan

7. Iowa

8. Minnesota

9. Northwestern

10. Purdue

11. Penn St.

 

I think 7 teams in the tourney is pretty close to a lock. Minnesota and NU to the NIT.

[illiniguy]

9. Northwestern Bad team that benefits form PSU and Purdue being in the conference. They will beat one of Illinois, MSU, Wiscy once though because they have some guys who can shoot.

We do? Even Vedran has had about four bad games in a row. Carmody said he was going to try to focus on the inside game since they can't hit a three to save their lives, but that didn't work out all that well last game, either. And considering that there's no inside/rebounding presence, unless something changes, 9th is optimistic.

I am thinking along the lines of Vucusic, who is leading the big ten in scoring. I still think you guys are too good to lose to either Purdue or Penn St.

[illiniguy]

illiniguy I am glad you mentioned amaker as a bad coach. I know he came into some bad circumstances but really hasnt seemed to make Michigan any better. After the Horton incident last season they also dont seem to have improven off the court too much either.

 

back to post subject I think that Illinois and MSU are still the class. I have been really impressed by the illinis defense so far this year. after these 2 I think its going to be OSU, WIS, IOWA, Ind, Minn, Mich and the field

I think it is kind of telling that all of the Duke assistant coaches have struggled mightly at their jobs. I think a lot of what makes K successful is his great recruiting, I think his guys try to emulate his approach and have both at one time or another hand violations and the NCAA breathing down their necks. I find it interesting as to where they got this from.

It seems many of the young hot shot coaches weren't prepared as guys like Weber, Ryan, and Matta who have paid their dues and learned at every step of the way.

[badgercub]

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

.

 

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along.

[illiniguy]

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

.

 

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along.

I agree and don't think Butch will get exposed in the big ten. I think he is a solid player who will only get better as he gets older. Tucker is a very good player. Chris Rock is a pretty good shooter and developing into a lead guard. That and they don't lose at home, unless they run into a jugernaut like last years illini :koolaid:

[SeldomSeen]

With the conference season fast approaching I thought I would start a thread (although I am sure there are some other threads that may have been started long ago) on how everyone thinks the Big Ten Conference will shake out this year. Who has surprised you in the non-conference and who you think will finish in the upper division.

 

1. Michigan State

2. Illinois

3. Indiana

4 Wisconsin (Biggest surprise thus far)

5. Michigan/Minnesota/Ohio State

8. Iowa

9. Northwestern

10. Purdue

11. Penn State

 

1. MSU...Most Talent + Izzo

2. IU...Even Davis can't ruin that much talent

3. Illinois...Weber is a very good Coach

4. Ohio State...Dials is a beast, Thad has a good thing going

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

6. Iowa...Another underachieving year for Alford

7. Michigan...They are getting better.

8. Minnesota...Not that good.

9. Northwestern...I like Carmody, he might win a few he shouldn't

10. Penn State...Um, it's Penn State

11. Purdue...Purdue is really really bad this year. They havn't been this bad in decades. I mean really bad.

 

I agree with your standings, but I'm curious about this quote. Davis has already been to the finals- yes with Knight's players, but Knight couldn't do squat with them. I think he's a fine defensive coach, and now that he's got the athletes his offense should be ok (although it sometimes hurts my eyes to watch). This team was putrid offensively for the last two years, but really, who did they have? Bracey Wright was one of the worst things to happen to Indiana basketball in a while, as they ran everything through him based on reputation. He was an inconsistent shooter with very little supporting cast, which was a terrible combination.

 

I would not be a bit surprised to see them in the elite 8 or even final 4 if they shoot well from the perimeter.

[rawaction]

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

.

 

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along.

 

I don't think they're more talented or athletic than MSU or IU.

[badgercub]

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

.

 

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along.

I agree and don't think Butch will get exposed in the big ten. I think he is a solid player who will only get better as he gets older. Tucker is a very good player. Chris Rock is a pretty good shooter and developing into a lead guard. That and they don't lose at home, unless they run into a jugernaut like last years illini :koolaid:

 

I think Butch is o.k. I just think the strength of his game is more on the perimiter. He is not a very good rebounder and consistently does not put a body on someone when boxing out, a lot of times he will just stand there waiting for the ball to come to him and lets guys maneuver around him and take the ball away.

[rawaction]

With the conference season fast approaching I thought I would start a thread (although I am sure there are some other threads that may have been started long ago) on how everyone thinks the Big Ten Conference will shake out this year. Who has surprised you in the non-conference and who you think will finish in the upper division.

 

1. Michigan State

2. Illinois

3. Indiana

4 Wisconsin (Biggest surprise thus far)

5. Michigan/Minnesota/Ohio State

8. Iowa

9. Northwestern

10. Purdue

11. Penn State

 

1. MSU...Most Talent + Izzo

2. IU...Even Davis can't ruin that much talent

3. Illinois...Weber is a very good Coach

4. Ohio State...Dials is a beast, Thad has a good thing going

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

6. Iowa...Another underachieving year for Alford

7. Michigan...They are getting better.

8. Minnesota...Not that good.

9. Northwestern...I like Carmody, he might win a few he shouldn't

10. Penn State...Um, it's Penn State

11. Purdue...Purdue is really really bad this year. They havn't been this bad in decades. I mean really bad.

 

I agree with your standings, but I'm curious about this quote. Davis has already been to the finals- yes with Knight's players, but Knight couldn't do squat with them. I think he's a fine defensive coach, and now that he's got the athletes his offense should be ok (although it sometimes hurts my eyes to watch). This team was putrid offensively for the last two years, but really, who did they have? Bracey Wright was one of the worst things to happen to Indiana basketball in a while, as they ran everything through him based on reputation. He was an inconsistent shooter with very little supporting cast, which was a terrible combination.

 

I would not be a bit surprised to see them in the elite 8 or even final 4 if they shoot well from the perimeter.

 

I agree. As I have said in other threads, IU leads the nation in shooting right now (from the field and from 3), they have enough bodies to throw out there where they can deal with off nights from certain players. In previous years, if Bracey was off....IU lost. Every single non-point playing guard on the Hoosiers has had at 15+ point game this season.

[badgercub]

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

.

 

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along.

 

I don't think they're more talented or athletic than MSU or IU.

 

I would agree, but Bo can outcoach Mike Davis. And they always give MSU a tough game.

[rawaction]

5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there

.

 

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along.

 

I don't think they're more talented or athletic than MSU or IU.

 

I would agree, but Bo can outcoach Mike Davis. And they always give MSU a tough game.

 

Yeah, Bo is the best coach in the conference, and I really like Izzo and Weber too.

[AcesHigh]

You guys are pretty dead on with the Purdue predictions. They are going to be terrible. They have started 4 freshmen in pretty much every game. They'll be good down the road, but this year will be tough to watch. Not to mention the fact that our best players(Landry and Teague) and starting PG are out for the year.

 

Of course, I'll be at college when they finally get good and probably end up rooting for someone else... :roll: