First Look: The B1G Looks like a ROCK FIGHT for 2015-2016

JonDMiller

JonDMiller

Publisher/Founder
http://hawkeyenation.com/basketball/b1g-hoops-losses-for-next-year

Seriously, there are probably 10, maybe 11 fanbases who will think they have a shot at the NCAA tournament this year...and at least nine of them aren't crazy, possibly 10. 10 won't make it, but I think even Northwestern has a case on paper for a good team. This is going to be one of the most exciting Big Ten races I can recall, based on how even I think the league will be.
 
The more parity in the B1G, the more the national media will play the "B1G is down" card.

Undoubtedly, the B12 will be the best bball conference. :cool:
 
Nice job on the article, Jon. Appreciate the research/overview. Seems like Iowa's schedule is a bit better next year (conference). The conference schedule for each team may end up being a major player as to who ends up where. I really look forward to my season basketball ticket for 2015-16!
 
JonDMiller said:
http://hawkeyenation.com/basketball/b1g-hoops-losses-for-next-year

Seriously, there are probably 10, maybe 11 fanbases who will think they have a shot at the NCAA tournament this year...and at least nine of them aren't crazy, possibly 10. 10 won't make it, but I think even Northwestern has a case on paper for a good team. This is going to be one of the most exciting Big Ten races I can recall, based on how even I think the league will be.
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Likely, someone will have injury issues (like Michigan this year), and 1 or 2 teams will underperform (like Nebraska), and the 10 or 11 NCAA hopefuls will be pared down to 7 or 8.
 
Jon, when I read about so many of the nation's top recruits coming in to the conference and then look at our recruits.... well it's not a comforting feeling I get. Who will be our next Aaron White? Is he already on the team? You used a lot of "ifs" when talking about Iowa. If "ifs and buts" were candy and nuts what a wonderful place Hawkeye land would be.

Fran has got to change this if he is truly going to compete in this league for a title. You could see Aaron's potential as a freshman. Tell me who in the last three classes that you can see that potential in? Maybe Uhl but that's really iffy. My point is Aaron appears to be the exception in Fran's recruiting more than the rule. If I am wrong would someone please point out the Aaron Whites in each of the last three classes? I'll even help a little....... Possibly Uthoff (I am cheating because he is a transfer but he is on the team) and maybe Uhl and as I said that is iffy.
 
BigD said:
Jon, when I read about so many of the nation's top recruits coming in to the conference and then look at our recruits.... well it's not a comforting feeling I get. Who will be our next Aaron White? Is he already on the team? You used a lot of "ifs" when talking about Iowa. If "ifs and buts" were candy and nuts what a wonderful place Hawkeye land would be.

Fran has got to change this if he is truly going to compete in this league for a title. You could see Aaron's potential as a freshman. Tell me who in the last three classes that you can see that potential in? Maybe Uhl but that's really iffy. My point is Aaron appears to be the exception in Fran's recruiting more than the rule. If I am wrong would someone please point out the Aaron Whites in each of the last three classes? I'll even help a little....... Possibly Uthoff (I am cheating because he is a transfer but he is on the team) and maybe Uhl and as I said that is iffy.
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I don't think there's anything the least bit iffy about Uhl. I think he's a quality player who will develop into a big time performer. Uthoff will be your next AW... book it.

I also don't think Fran's been the least bit deficient as a recruiter. Who didn't want him to sign Woody? Gesell? If he hadn't signed those two how loud would the howls have been? Neither has really been the player we thought they might be but both have made progress and I predict they will do well during their Senior campaign. Also... who didn't want Fran to sign Peter Jok? Nobody... that's s who. My bet is that Jok will make great strides between now and November, will have a stellar year and will be all B1G by the time he's a Senior.

I think the program is in good hands. I'm excited for the future of Iowa basketball!
 
Want to look at some under-whelming recruiting classes? Research a short, funny looking guy who cut his teeth at UW-Platteville, and just got to the NCAA finals.
 
Prediction...just for fun

1 - Michigan State
2 - Michigan (with LeVert)
3 - Maryland
4 - Wisconsin (without Dekker)
5 - Indiana (with Ferrell)
6 - Iowa
7 - Purdue (with Hammons)
8 - Ohio State

These 8 make the NCAA.

9 - Northwestern (have never made the NCAA Tournament)
10 - Nebraska (no chemistry)
11 - Illinois (new coach in 2016-17)

These 3 make the NIT.

12 - Minnesota (wrong Pitino coaching)
13 - Penn State
14 - Rutgers (RPI killers)

These 3 are in over their heads.
 
I don't see graduating Aaron White as a huge loss, Uthoff is a similar player and a better shooter. Olaseni is the big loss, IMO, Woodbury needs to step up next season. This is the senior year for Frans star recruiting class, anything less than a top 1/2 finish in the Big Ten is unacceptable. I worry about the sustained success after next season as Fran has been swinging and missing the past few years in the recruits he has brought in.
 
ssckelley said:
I don't see graduating Aaron White as a huge loss, Uthoff is a similar player and a better shooter. Olaseni is the big loss, IMO, Woodbury needs to step up next season. This is the senior year for Frans star recruiting class, anything less than a top 1/2 finish in the Big Ten is unacceptable. I worry about the sustained success after next season as Fran has been swinging and missing the past few years in the recruits he has brought in.
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Agreed. Marble's senior year and next year's class were the two years under Fran where Iowa naturally were expected to make hay. This past season was a bonus as many thought of it as a rebuilding year. I myself felt and stated that the team this year had great potential if a few players stepped up their game. I also said if they didn't it could be a long season. Well we got to see both sides of the coin. Fortunately we saw the good side at the ending third of conferece play.

I see similar possibilities for next season as the loss of Aaron and Gabe are going to be noticible and significant unless players step up their game. If the players coming back don't do that it could be a very long season but if Woody, Uthoff, Gesell, Joc, and Uhl bring it next season and an incoming freshmen or two significantly improve then thre is the potential to be even better than this past season. The conference will be tough as usual and this could be one of the most entertaining seasons in a long time for the B1G. It would be HUGE if Fran can snag a BIG man to help Woody in the post. If that happens look out. Is football season over yet??? :)
 
Pack it in guys. The BT Network guys picked Iowa to finish 9th in the conference next year. I think I will give up my season tickets. So, we lose one very good player and a second guy who was pretty effective and we drop from a tie for third in the conference to being picked to finish 9th. Huh?
 
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