99topdawg
Well-Known Member
I'd be OK with this.
From ESPN:
With the Big Ten having turned the page from the non-league schedule to conference play, here's my best guess on how the Big Ten will play out:
1. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers (14-1, 2-0) have been kind of forgotten since the Duke loss on Dec. 3, though they've won seven straight. Nigel Hayes adds scoring and toughness to this lineup, which is going to need Sam Dekker to come through in big games. And of course, Bo Ryan knows how to win in the Big Ten every year.
2. Maryland Terrapins
Dez Wells and Melo Trimble are terrific at getting to the free throw line, which is huge for the Terrapins (14-1, 2-0), and also big in a Big Ten that is incredibly inconsistent in its officiating.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes (11-4, 2-0) are both experienced and maturing, which is a weird combination. The fact that Iowa gets shooting from four different spots on the floor is key, as is this team's toughness. Forward Jarod Uthoff, who is second on the team in both scoring and rebounds, finally looks comfortable.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Point guard Shannon Scott dominated Illinois in the second half of the Buckeyes' 77-61 win on Saturday, and guess what? Everyone played better. As Scott goes, so will Ohio State (12-3, 1-1). Having inside guys with just a tad more energy and enthusiasm would help though.
5. Michigan State Spartans
This is Tom Izzo's least talented team yet, so I can't believe I still have the Spartans (10-5, 1-1) ranked at No. 5. Branden Dawson needs to play with urgency if this team is going to improve -- he hasn't so far. And blah, blah, blah to the Spartans' "injuries."
6. Indiana Hoosiers
Before the season, I got laughed at for saying this team would win 20-plus games. But these players like each other, and despite Monday's loss to Michigan State, they play like it. The Hoosiers (11-4, 1-1) are a modern-day model for how to play, with guards who apply pressure on defense and gang rebounding. This has been the most fun team in the league to watch due to their cohesiveness ... so far. Stay tuned.
7. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers (10-5) are 2-0 in conference play headed into the Wisconsin game.A.J. Hammons was my preseason player of the year in the Big Ten, and has come on with 26 points and 21 rebounds in the team's two Big Ten games. The talent is there, but Hammons is not totally bought in on "the Purdue Way."
8. Michigan Wolverines
John Beilein is among the best in the biz, but if this team isn't making shots, it has nothing else. The toughness of the Wolverines (8-6, 1-1) -- both mental and physical -- is a huge issue.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers (8-6, 0-2) have the talent and experience to finish better than this projection, but this team looks dysfunctional. Bad shots and an entitled mentality have squashed teams more talented than this one.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The guard play of the Gophers (11-4, 0-2), especially that of Andre Hollins, gives them a chance to move up on this list. But they need someone -- anyone -- to help inside.
11. Illinois Fighting Illini
Seems like the same old, same old. The Illini (10-5, 0-2) are talented but withoutTracy Abrams (who will miss the season with a torn ACL), leaving them with a leadership void. They fell apart in Saturday's loss to Ohio State.
12. Northwestern Wildcats
Freshman guard Bryant McIntosh has been good for the Wildcats (10-5, 1-1), and guards Tre Demps and JerShon Cobb, along with big man Alex Olah, give them a shot.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
I like some of their pieces, but winning eludes the Nittany Lions (12-3, 0-2). Senior forward Ross Travis needs to become an all-league-type guy -- and quickly.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
They beat Penn State -- hip hip hooray! -- but the Scarlet Knights (9-6, 1-1) are devoid of both organization and talent.
Projected Big Ten all-conference team:
• Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
• Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
• A.J. Hammons, Purdue
• Dez Wells, Maryland
• Rayvonte Rice, Illinois
From ESPN:
With the Big Ten having turned the page from the non-league schedule to conference play, here's my best guess on how the Big Ten will play out:
1. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers (14-1, 2-0) have been kind of forgotten since the Duke loss on Dec. 3, though they've won seven straight. Nigel Hayes adds scoring and toughness to this lineup, which is going to need Sam Dekker to come through in big games. And of course, Bo Ryan knows how to win in the Big Ten every year.
2. Maryland Terrapins
Dez Wells and Melo Trimble are terrific at getting to the free throw line, which is huge for the Terrapins (14-1, 2-0), and also big in a Big Ten that is incredibly inconsistent in its officiating.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes (11-4, 2-0) are both experienced and maturing, which is a weird combination. The fact that Iowa gets shooting from four different spots on the floor is key, as is this team's toughness. Forward Jarod Uthoff, who is second on the team in both scoring and rebounds, finally looks comfortable.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Point guard Shannon Scott dominated Illinois in the second half of the Buckeyes' 77-61 win on Saturday, and guess what? Everyone played better. As Scott goes, so will Ohio State (12-3, 1-1). Having inside guys with just a tad more energy and enthusiasm would help though.
5. Michigan State Spartans
This is Tom Izzo's least talented team yet, so I can't believe I still have the Spartans (10-5, 1-1) ranked at No. 5. Branden Dawson needs to play with urgency if this team is going to improve -- he hasn't so far. And blah, blah, blah to the Spartans' "injuries."
6. Indiana Hoosiers
Before the season, I got laughed at for saying this team would win 20-plus games. But these players like each other, and despite Monday's loss to Michigan State, they play like it. The Hoosiers (11-4, 1-1) are a modern-day model for how to play, with guards who apply pressure on defense and gang rebounding. This has been the most fun team in the league to watch due to their cohesiveness ... so far. Stay tuned.
7. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers (10-5) are 2-0 in conference play headed into the Wisconsin game.A.J. Hammons was my preseason player of the year in the Big Ten, and has come on with 26 points and 21 rebounds in the team's two Big Ten games. The talent is there, but Hammons is not totally bought in on "the Purdue Way."
8. Michigan Wolverines
John Beilein is among the best in the biz, but if this team isn't making shots, it has nothing else. The toughness of the Wolverines (8-6, 1-1) -- both mental and physical -- is a huge issue.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers (8-6, 0-2) have the talent and experience to finish better than this projection, but this team looks dysfunctional. Bad shots and an entitled mentality have squashed teams more talented than this one.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The guard play of the Gophers (11-4, 0-2), especially that of Andre Hollins, gives them a chance to move up on this list. But they need someone -- anyone -- to help inside.
11. Illinois Fighting Illini
Seems like the same old, same old. The Illini (10-5, 0-2) are talented but withoutTracy Abrams (who will miss the season with a torn ACL), leaving them with a leadership void. They fell apart in Saturday's loss to Ohio State.
12. Northwestern Wildcats
Freshman guard Bryant McIntosh has been good for the Wildcats (10-5, 1-1), and guards Tre Demps and JerShon Cobb, along with big man Alex Olah, give them a shot.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
I like some of their pieces, but winning eludes the Nittany Lions (12-3, 0-2). Senior forward Ross Travis needs to become an all-league-type guy -- and quickly.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
They beat Penn State -- hip hip hooray! -- but the Scarlet Knights (9-6, 1-1) are devoid of both organization and talent.
Projected Big Ten all-conference team:
• Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
• Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
• A.J. Hammons, Purdue
• Dez Wells, Maryland
• Rayvonte Rice, Illinois
