Bracketolgy Expert has their way to early Pre-Season Top 502013-2014 College Basketball Top 50 (April 4, 2013): Kentucky & Louisville 1, 2 Updated as of April 6, they have Iowa ranked #29 and 6th in the Big Ten. I think we are better than 6th in the B10. These rankings will obviously change has players make decisions about the NBA.
Bracketology Expert Pre-Season Top 50
- Thread starter MCHawk5
- Start date
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
6th seems pretty reasonable honestly. We won't be ranked ahead of Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, or Ohio State regardless of what they lose. Seeing us ranked #29 nationally makes me happy.
BJHawkstrong
Well-Known Member
I agree 6th seems pretty fair at this point. Next year's team could finish anywhere from 1st to 7th in the conference. The margin for error in the B1G currently is too small to accurately predict the final standings so early. So much parity is a good and bad thing imo. Lots of opportunities to win games you aren't expected to win but also lots of opportunities to lose games you're not supposed to. Some of the lower tiered schools have a pretty good core returning next year including PSU, Purdue, Northwestern. Those teams aren't all that much different than the Hawks with their whole rosters healthy.
Early departures will play a big role also. So many dominos too fall still before anybody can really get a good feel for how things will play out.
One thing is for sure though, and that is the conference has shown it's overall strength in this postseason. When your conference's 5th ranked team makes the NCAA championship game that says alot about the overall strength and depth.
I hope you are joking. Teams 1-5 are all on the same level. Anyone one of them could have won the B10 title.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
That's a fair ranking. We haven't earned anything higher.
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
I agree, I have a hard time moving Iowa passing anybody at this point. Indiana would even be a stretch even if they did lose both Oladipo and Zeller as they have one heck of a recruiting class coming in. On paper Wisconsin appears to be a candidate Iowa could pass in the standings but Bo Ryan always exceeds expectations.
I mentioned this in another thread and I will say it hear, MSU looks to be the clear cut favorite for next season but after that there could be a log jam 2-6 in the standings. Without injuries the bottom of the B1G looks to be much improved, even Penn State should be competitive if Frazier recovers 100%.
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
I could live with 29th to start but I think we work our way up the ladder quite a bit during the year. We will be better than sixth in the conference. Hopefully top three by en of year.
WindsorHawk
Well-Known Member
I honestly don't know why so many people think Iowa will be doing a good job if they manage to get 6th. This year we lost several games we could have won. We only lose 1 player and add 3. We made a nice run in the NIT where we ended Virginia's home court winning streak and beat another ACC team at MSG. Oh, did I mention we also finished alone in 6th place this year? And Michigan was the only team that really made us look bad and they just happen to be playing for all the marbles tonight.
I think it's an upset if we finish ahead of Michigan State. I don't care who other teams have coming in because it takes some time to adjust to D-1 basketball and longer IMO to adjust to Big 10 basketball. I have Iowa 2nd at 14-4. I can see where people would put Ohio State and Michigan ahead of us but I can't see the logic in anything lower than 4th.
There are lofty expectations. Some will say my expectations are unrealistic (lofty). There is also being too conservative. I suggest that many are unwilling to consider Iowa as high as 2nd or even 4th because of past disappointments. Next year is a new year and the Hawks will be ready.
I think it's an upset if we finish ahead of Michigan State. I don't care who other teams have coming in because it takes some time to adjust to D-1 basketball and longer IMO to adjust to Big 10 basketball. I have Iowa 2nd at 14-4. I can see where people would put Ohio State and Michigan ahead of us but I can't see the logic in anything lower than 4th.
There are lofty expectations. Some will say my expectations are unrealistic (lofty). There is also being too conservative. I suggest that many are unwilling to consider Iowa as high as 2nd or even 4th because of past disappointments. Next year is a new year and the Hawks will be ready.
tm3308
Well-Known Member
Penn State is my sleeper pick to make the NCAA tourney next year. With Frazier, Marshall, and Newbill, that is one scary backcourt.
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
I agree, and Nebraska would not be a bad sleeper pick either. Even though the B1G is losing a bunch of good players to the draft, from top to bottom the league might be better next year or at least more competitive. There is no team you can point to and say "they are going to be bad", Northwestern may even be pretty competitive if Crawford can come back healthy. Minnesota appears to be losing the most, will they bring up the bottom next season?
sportstalent
Well-Known Member
I will make a friendly wager with you on that one...PM me...I don't think they go.
