Iowa 15th in Ken Pomeroy Preseason Poll





















I really don't see Michigan living up to expectations this year.

I agree, but to add to it I don't think OSU will live up to the hype either. If Craft can't learn how to play without hand checking, I think this year could be somewhat rough for them. Add that to the fact I don't know if Ross can put up 15+ every game.

MSU on the other hand is legit and will be a national title contender. But even they have issues as they won't go very far if Harris isn't healthy late in the year.
 


I agree, but to add to it I don't think OSU will live up to the hype either. If Craft can't learn how to play without hand checking, I think this year could be somewhat rough for them. Add that to the fact I don't know if Ross can put up 15+ every game.

MSU on the other hand is legit and will be a national title contender. But even they have issues as they won't go very far if Harris isn't healthy late in the year.

I think OSU wins the B10 this year, I think the loss of Thomas will be addition by subtraction as they will no longer have to hide him on defense and won't be so reliant on one player for scoring.
 


Dan Hanner, who does projections for ESPN Insider, has us 16th (5th in the B10) in his preseason projection with a best case scenario finish of 7th and worst case of 26th.

Iowa was extremely competitive in a tough Big Ten last season, and after the Hawkeyes' NIT run Iowa finished with the 25th-best margin-of-victory numbers in the nation. With all but one key rotation player back, obviously a simulation-based approach is going to like the Hawkeyes quite a bit. But the simulation approach also shows why poll voters are more skeptical. Iowa's offensive upside is limited. But with virtually everyone back, there are almost no scenarios in which Iowa has a dreadful season

Projections for all 351 Division I teams - College Basketball - ESPN
 




Dan Hanner, who does projections for ESPN Insider, has us 16th (5th in the B10) in his preseason projection with a best case scenario finish of 7th and worst case of 26th.

Iowa was extremely competitive in a tough Big Ten last season, and after the Hawkeyes' NIT run Iowa finished with the 25th-best margin-of-victory numbers in the nation. With all but one key rotation player back, obviously a simulation-based approach is going to like the Hawkeyes quite a bit. But the simulation approach also shows why poll voters are more skeptical. Iowa's offensive upside is limited. But with virtually everyone back, there are almost no scenarios in which Iowa has a dreadful season

Projections for all 351 Division I teams - College Basketball - ESPN

I am only making an assumption, here, but I would think this is directly related to Iowa's 3 pnt. shooting last year, and at times, their FT %. If both of those are corrected this season, I see Iowa scoring 75-85 a game and having too much offense for OSU & MSU. I agree with others that MU lost to much to compete for the top spot in BIG. I think Iowa can finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd in regular season if the 3 pnt/FT % has been corrected. Let us not forget that Matta usually doesn't go more than 7 (maybe) 8 deep and this could be a disadvantage against Iowa. MSU I don't think can run like Iowa can and if the hand checking IS called, that will be Iowa's advantage over them. MU lost their two most athletic players and (other than McGary) they aren't as strong inside as MSU, and that is their disadvantage against Iowa.
 




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