Rank the Top 5 Big Ten teams

busabus114 said:
Based on who you think will go farther in the tournament give me your rankings for the top 5 teams in the Big Ten

I will go with:

1) Michigan State
2) Ohio State
3) Purdue
4) Wisky
5) Illinois (out in 1st round)

The top 3 was really a tough call for me. If Lucas is healthy i think MSU will be a tough out. OSU could go out early or make the elite 8 depending on how they shoot.
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Depends upon whether you are talking about the NCAA tournament or just the BTT.

Why ignore the lessons of history? Michigan State will go the furthest in the NCAAs, most likely Final Four again. Ohioo State should make it to the regional finals, but they have a past of under-achieving. On the other hand, Bo Ryan will have Wiskys going a couple of rounds further than the Wisky talent justifies (helped by a pair of excellent guards) This last point goes to one of the two reasons why Purdue won't make much of a show--college post-season is when guard play is the critical difference, and Purdue's back court falls short--plus the fact that the team is too small, only one big man, Johnson, who can be a factor inside on the boards. Nice when a 6-8 guy can shoot from outside as well as Hummel, but that still leaves the problem that Johnson is the only guy who can defende inside and rebound.

I can't figure out what other BT team makes the field, though as weak as the PAC-10 and SEC are, only two teams in the Big 12 at all impressive,and a down year for the ACC there is plenty of room in the field for mediocrities like Minnie, Illinois, Michigan. It would be a nice gesture if NW was finally given a bid--especially since they are one of the top 65 programs this season and are as credible as Illinois or Minnesota. My guess is that Michigan is the fifth BT school in the field, basically by virtue of OOC wins (And because they may be the fifth best BT team anyway).

In the BT tournament I expect Illinois to be the 5th team...which will not be a good thing for them. As the #5 seed they are going to have to play their one & out game against either NW or Mich, and the pathetic Illinois inside defense can't stop Sims & Harris, and the Illini can't play smart enough to beat NW. The defeat, which will be the 11th or 12th of the season, likely keeps Illinois out of the NCAA field given its poor RPI and SOS.
 
1. Michigan State: why ignore history? Final Four...again. Maybe better.
2. Ohio State: awful lot of talent, but they will stumble in the 2nd game or Sweet 16. Too young, too typical of Ohio State. If its a big game, they will play small.
3. Wisky: Sweet Sixteen because Bo Ryan is the coach. And because college post-season is all about guard play, and Wisky has a trio of good ones. If Leuer is back, they could make it to the regional finals; otherwise, too small inside.
4. Purdue; out after the second round. Johnson is the only rebounder & inside defender: not enough to be just a great shooter (Hummel) if you're a 6-8 PF. College post-season is all about guard play, and Purdue has a trio of undersized mediocre ones.
5. A tough nut to crack. On the one hand, there are a lot more places open than most years, with the ACC down, the PAC-10 at its worst ever, only 2 or 3 teams in the Big 12 that can play, the SEC a football conference, and not that many good mid-majors
The standings as of now suggest Illannoy as a probable 5th BT team despite the poor RPI & weak SOS, and they will be the 5th seed in the BTT. On the other hand, because they will be the 5th seed in the BTT, that is a portent of disaster. Means that they will face either NW or Michigan, which on a neutral court means a bad beating--the 12th or 13th loss of the season. That many losses with poor RPI & SOS will make it difficult to take them over a mid-major with a better record & ratings.
It would give a warm & fuzzy feeling if the selection committee extends the first bid to NW ever, but can't count on it. I'm guessing most likely Michigan, on the basis of a couple of publicized OOC wins--and they may be the 5th best team in a BT, that after MSU, OSU, Purdue, Wisky, is no where near as strong as BT fans like to assume.
 
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I will go with...

1.) MSU - #2 or 3 without Lucas in the lineup, but he is now back
2.) Purdue
3.) OSU
4.) Wisky
5.) Illini - man I hate putting them in the top 5 of anything in our conference
 
1 . Purdue...they have big guards in Moore,Grant(6'4''),Barlow(6'5''),Kramer(6'3'') with only Lewjack and Hart being quick small guys...love their guard court. They have FF potential...Elite Eight probable.

2. OSU...They have 5 NBA prospects in their starting lineup and even Madsen off the bench is playing decently. Elite Eight or higher ...Turner can carry them to FF.

3. MSU...really close between all three teams...MSU gets healthy,and Summers/Allen/Morgan start shooting well...FF potential.

4. Wisky has good guards...if Leuer comes back strong, they could sneak into Elite eight...or go out the first weekend...depends on matchups.

5. Illini..erratic play indicates a short tourny...unless McCamey carries them to an upset...20% chance of sweet 16.

Rest of the league is not great. NW could make a run in the NIT but I doubt it.
Michigan actually could make a run in the NIT if they do make it...unusual system messes with teams that are not familiar with beilein.
Minny is the best of this bunch,but without nolen...they seem lost. NIT Champ potential,tho.
 
HawkeyeShane said:
Let me guess...that was on CBS while I was watching Ski Cross qualifying on NBC's Olympic coverage...

:mad:
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Yep. Wisconsin playing host to Northwestern is now on the BTN. I am not watching the guys on skiis with rifles. While fun, I am just not interested. Now, if they were in my neighborhood, it might be more fun! :)
 
woodyk1 said:
Yep. Wisconsin playing host to Northwestern is now on the BTN. I am not watching the guys on skiis with rifles. While fun, I am just not interested. Now, if they were in my neighborhood, it might be more fun! :)
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Haha...that's Biathalon! The stuff I was watching was on before that...it seems like it'll be cool...4 guys on the coarse at the same time (after single qualifying runs that I watched) eliminating the field down to one final 4 man race, with the look of moto-cross on skis...should be fun...but not as fun as OSU-Michigan would've been...:mad:
 
HawkeyeShane said:
Haha...that's Biathalon! The stuff I was watching was on before that...it seems like it'll be cool...4 guys on the coarse at the same time (after single qualifying runs that I watched) eliminating the field down to one final 4 man race, with the look of moto-cross on skis...should be fun...but not as fun as OSU-Michigan would've been...:mad:
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Yeah, I was thinking the ski cross might be fun too. Now, if those guys had guns ... :)
 
OSU-MSU was a tremendous game. OSU out big early by 14...MSU rallies the whole second half..takes the lead with 3 minutes to go...and OSU fights back. Turner could not shoot a lick but ended up with 20 pts, 11 rbs, 7 assists...he was sick and looked weak...but rose up at the end..as usual.

This puts Purdue in the drivers seat as I suspected...MSU goes to PU next sunday..but trap game for purdue on wed. at minny...this aint over yet.
 
JHHawk said:
OSU-MSU was a tremendous game. OSU out big early by 14...MSU rallies the whole second half..takes the lead with 3 minutes to go...and OSU fights back. Turner could not shoot a lick but ended up with 20 pts, 11 rbs, 7 assists...he was sick and looked weak...but rose up at the end..as usual.

This puts Purdue in the drivers seat as I suspected...MSU goes to PU next sunday..but trap game for purdue on wed. at minny...this aint over yet.
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Yep. Turner was not 100% (he missed practice yesterday) and still put up those numbers. He's definitely the POY in the Big 10 (at least). Michigan State is missing something. It will be interesting to see how they finish the year (including the Big 10 and national tournaments).

I agree - this race is not over. It's fun to watch and would be more fun if Iowa would have any impact on the race.
 
Yes, our role in this race is over...we cannot even be spoilers at this point...unless Wisky sneaks back in...of course,we could ruin Minny's chances and screw up NW's NIT hopes....Go Hawks!!
 
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