BIG TEN BASKETBALL PREVIEW
I was going to do this before the season but clearly that didn't happen, anyway my draft has Purdue at #1 so I'm going to keep it that way.
BIG TEN BASKETBALL STANDINGS PROJECTION
1. PURDUE
PG: P.J. THOMPSON
SG: CARSEN EDWARDS
SG: DAKOTA MATHIAS
PF: CALEB SWANIGAN
C: ISAAC HAAS
I had Carson Edwards in the Starting lineup before the season but I had no idea it would be at the hands of replacing Vince. Therefore, I originally had Dakota out of the lineup, but with the known knowledge that he is contributing well, who knows when Vince will be back in the starting lineup. It's kind of like the Dallas Cowboys or any other team where if a lineup works why change it. Vince Edwards is still averaging 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists off the bench. Purdue has zero seniors in the starting lineup but is still very experienced and has already been tested going in to big ten play on 4 healthy occasions. Being one of the best assisting teams in the nation, having a 3-point threat offense, having 5 double digit scorers, and having three experienced NBA target bigs certainly helps. This team is coming to it's own and it's weaknesses are not evident.
Record: 14-4, 25-6
2. Wisconsin
PG: BRONSON KOENIG
SG: ZAK SHOWALTER
SF: NIGEL HAYES
PF: VITTO BROWN
PF: ETHAN HAPP
Unlike Purdue's Starting lineup that ranges in height from 5'10-7'2, Wisconsin ranges from 6'3-6'10 with no true center. But Wisconsin is a strong team all-around. Nigel Hayes and Vitto Brown are very physical players, Bronson Koenig is know for his smooth-clutch stroke, though Ethan Happ may be their best player. Happ, The tallest player on the team averages an elite 12.7 points and 9.6 rebounds along with dishing close to 3 assists per contest. Wisconsin has the looks of a Big Ten contender
Record: 13-5, 24-7
3. INDIANA
PG: JOSH NEWKIRK
SG: ROBERT JOHNSON
SG: JAMES BLACKMON JR.
PF: OG ANUNOBY
C: THOMAS BRYANT
The #1 offense in the Big Ten is no stranger to the Hoosiers, who also boast three NBA targets. The Hoosiers have 4 players averaging 12+ points and hold honor to being the only team in the Big Ten to have a team field goal percentage above 50%. On the defensive side of the ball, Indiana leads the Big Ten in defensive and total rebounds. OG Anunoby is an X-Factor and everyone on their team comes to play in the big games.
13-5, 24-7
4. MARYLAND
PG: MELO TRIMBLE
SG: ANTHONY COWAN
SG: KEVIN HUERTER
SF: JUSTIN JACKSON
PF: IVAN BENDER
I don't know about this, Maryland seems irrelevant this year, but so did the Dolphins
11-7, 23-8
5. MICHIGAN STATE
PG: CASSIUS WINSTON
SG: JOSHUA LANGFORD
SG: ERON HARRIS
SF: MILES BRIDGES
PF: NICK WARD
This may be a Tom Izzo uber talented led team, but it's also a very young and small team(height-wise). I understand that experienced forward, Gavin Shilling could return at some point but for now the team will continue to have some letdown performances that come with starting 4 freshman in their first tastes of big ten opponents. That said, they'll do pretty well
RECORD: 11-7, 19-12
6. MICHIGAN
PG: DERRICK WALTON JR.
SG: MUHAMMAD-ALI ABDUR-RAHKMAN
SG: ZAK IRVIN
PF: D.J. WILSON
PF: MORITZ WAGNER
Their good enough to be a team that wins 7 at home and takes a few on the road.
RECORD: 10-8, 20-11
7. MINNESOTA
PG: NATE MASON
SG: DUPREE McBRAYER
SG: AMIR COFFEY
SF: JORDAN MURPHY
C: REGGIE LYNCH
Jordan murphy is 6'6 but he just had a 21 rebound game. Minnesota's star is a 6'8 freshman guard. Minnesota had built themselves as a threat against every team in the past with their ability to force turnovers, but despite a drastic drop in that department the team is jelling a lot more this year. This team will compete at a level we got used to seeing from Tubby Smith led Gopher teams.
RECORD: 10-8, 22-9
8. NORTHWESTERN
PG: BRYANT MCINTOSH
SG: SCOTTIE LINDSEY
SG: SANJAY LUMPKIN
SF: VIC LAW
C: BARRET BENSON
This may seem like a starting lineup of a non-contending team to many big ten fans. But I've got one thing to say; Northwestern finally made it. The NCAA's that is. Nothing else matters from there. Northwestern fans will be pleased with the chance to pick Northwestern to win it all in their march madness polls even if they end up with a busted bracket. Vic Law is a piece that Northwestern missed last season, that could of been the difference in them missing out on the dance last season. Bryant Mcintosh should be able to dish out a few key victories, so that the committee won't have a problem selecting them.
RECORD: 10-8, 21-10
9. OHIO STATE
PG: JaQUAN LYLE
SG: KAM WILLIAMS
SF: JAE'SEAN TATE
SF: MARC LOVING
C: TREVOR THOMPSON
Their quite skilled but they don't seem to mesh well enough to be a consistent competitor with the upper half of the league. This year their going to have to get it done in the big ten tourney to make the formal dance.
RECORD: 9-9, 19-12
FOR NOW I"M GOING to end it here as there's so much crap shooting in this league