Big Ten preview 2020-21....teams 8-14

[mushroomgod_1]

Hey guys, IU fan here. you guys have a good bb forum, and I wanted to share with you a BT 2020-21 preview I've done.......what follows are my prediction for the #8-14 teams, for conversation. I've tried to be as accurate as possible, but if you see mistakes let me know......I plan on doing the same for teams 1-7....just haven't got to it yet.

8. Ohio State:
--Duane Washington....6'3" 210 lbs
--CJ Walker..................6'1" 205 lbs
--Kyle Young.................6'8" 225 lbs
--EJ Liddell....................6'7" 240 lbs
--Ibrahima Diallo...........6'10" 220 lbs
--Justin Ahrens..............6'6" 195 lbs
--Musa Jallow................6'5" 210 lbs
--Seth Towns..................6'8" 230 lbs.......Harvard grad T
--Justice Suenig.............6'6" 210 lbs........Cal Transfer
--Eugene Brown.............6'6" 185 lbs........Freshman, #100 Rivals
--Zed Key........................6'8" 245 lbs........Freshman, #113 Rivals

--Comments & Questions: This placement for OSU depends on Towns being able to come back after missing 2 years with injury. He was the Ivy League PoY in '18, and a #1-3 grad transfer this year even with the injury ??s. Suenig was another good get, leading a bad Cal team in scoring and rebounding (14/6) 2 years ago. Liddell is said to be a breakout guy this year. Young has been injured, but is very valuable when healthy. Diallo would be a weak starting center.....Key may get early pt. OSU appears to have a higher ceiling than Purdue, but a lower floor if the injuries to Towns & Young don't work out in their favor. They also lack a true center. They need both to be healthy.

EDIT: I neglected to list Abel Porter, a 6'3" grad transfer from Utah St. He's expected to be the primary back-up to both guard positions.....a Dakich Jr. type.............

9. Purdue:
--Eric Hunter..........6'4" 175 lbs
--Travion Williams.6'9" 270 lbs
--Aaron Wheeler....6'9" 205 lbs
--Sasha Stefanovic 6'4" 190 lb
--Isaiah Thompson.6'1" 160 lbs
--Emanuel Dowuona.6'10" 230 lbs
--Brandon Newman.6'5" 190 lbs
--Jaden Ivey............6'4" 180 lbs
--Ethan Morton........6'6" 180 lbs

--Comments & Questions: Purdue could be better than this if 1. Williams takes his game from 13/8.5 in BT play last year to 16/11. Can he do that, or will he level off? 2. Wheeler regains his mojo. He looked scary good sometimes as a freshman. Last he he just looked scary.

I know Purdue fans are bragging about Newman, Morton & Ivey....to me, they look to be about a wash with, say, Franklin, Geronimo, Galloway & Leal.

10. Minnesota:
--Marcus Carr.........6'2" 195 lbs
--Gabe Kalscheur...6'4" 200 lbs
--Isaiah Ihnen.........6'9" 210 lbs
--Jarvis Omersa.....6'6" 235 lbs
--Tre Williams.........6'5" 195 lbs
--Eric Curry.............6'9" 240 lbs.......Injured 2020
--Both Gach............6'6" 210 lbs**....Utah transfer
--Liam Robbins......7'0" 235 lbs.......Drake grad T
--Brandon Johnson.6'8" 220 lbs.......WM grad T
--David Mutaf..........6'5" 190 lbs.......Turkish freshman
--Jamal Mashburn JR 6'2" 175 lbs....Freshman, #119 Rivals

--Comments & Questions: This roster is quite the mishmash, but I like Minnesota's 2020 potential more than on some of the forecasts I've seen. Curry was a '20 starter until his injury. Robbins & Johnson are a more-than-capable transfer duo. Gach was Utah's 2nd leading scorer....he's a wildcard because he has to get a waiver to play this year. Mutaf and Mashburn are guys who might contribute as freshmen.

EDIT: I thought Robbins was currently eligible......apparently, as of 8/5, he is still seeking a waiver. If he's denied, it would be a big blow to MN, and probably drops them to #13. If he can't go, they'd have to go with Curry, 6-10 FR Martrice Mitchell, or 6-10 SO Sam Freeman.

11. Maryland:
--Eric Ayala...........6'5" 195 lbs
--Darryl Morsell.....6'5" 200 lbs
--Aaron Wiggons...6'6" 200 lbs
--Donta Scott.........6'7" 225 lbs
--Chol Marzial........7'2" 230 lbs
--Hakim Hart..........6'6" 200 lbs
--Galin Smith..........6'9" 240 lbs........'Bama Transfer
--Jarius Hamilton....6'8" 234 lbs........BC Transfer
--Arnoud Revaz.....6'10" 220 lbs......Swiss FR

--Comments & Questions: This not a good time to be a Maryland basketball fan. They really struck out on big-time pg recruits and grad transfers. Neither 6'1" Marcus Dockery nor 6'3" Aquian Smart were in Rivals top 150 last year, but one or both will have to see plenty of time in '20-'21. The news is not much better on the front line. Smith & Hamilton are mediocre grad transfers but both will see plenty of time. Marzial doesn't look ready to start. Hart wasn't very productive as a freshman. Revaz, from Switz., has experience in the EU18 league and might surprise. UCLA was also looking at him.

12. Penn State:
--Jamari Wheeler......6'1" 170 lbs
--Myron Jones...........6'3" 177 lbs
--Myles Dread...........6'4" 220 lbs
--Seth Lundy.............6'6" 219 lbs
--John Harrar............6'9" 240 lbs
--Izaiah Brockington..6'4" 200 lbs
--Valdir Manuel..........6'9" 225 lbs.....Freshman
--Abdou Tsimbila.......6'8" 230 lbs......Freshman

--Comments & Questions: PSU, like Maryland, needed 1 or 2 impact recruits, and didn't get them. They recruited 5 freshman, none of whom were top 150 guys for Rivals. The two listed seem like the most likely to play, due to need, Some people think Lundy might have a break-out year.

13. Northwestern:
--Boo Buie...............6'2" 180 lbs
--Miller Kopp............6'7" 210 lbs
--Pete Nance...........6'10" 225 lbs
--Ryan Young...........6'10" 235 lbs
--Ryan Grier.............6'2" 185 lbs
--Anthony Gaines.....6'4" 205 lbs
--Chase Audige........6'4" 200 lbs......Transfer from Bill & Mary
--Ty Berry..................6'3" 180 lbs......PG, #110 Rivals

--Comments & Questions: Boo looked like an emerging star last year, and Kopp's a nice player. Transfer Audige will probably start. Berry seemed underrated at #110 in Rivals.....he's also a candidate to start.

14. Nebraska:
--Thor Thorirjarnason....6'6" 206 lbs
--Yvan Ovedraogo.........6'9" 260 lbs
--Akol Arop....................6'6 190 lbs
--Teddy Allen.................6'5" 200 lbs.......JC transfer
--Kobe Webster.............6'0" 170 lbs.......WIU Transfer
--Lat Mayen...................6'9" 205 lbs........JC transfer
--Shamiel Stevenson.....6'6 245 lbs........Nevada Transfer
--Derrick Walker.............6'8' 235 lbs.......TENN Transfer
--Dalano Banton.............6'8" 195 lbs.......WK Transfer
--Eduardo Andre.............6'10" 220 lbs.....English Freshman

--Comments & Questions: Nebraska will be a very interesting team to watch in the non-conference, if only to see who will start. Only the first 2 players mentioned started last year. Allen was a Nebraska HS product who put up big scoring #s at the JC level. Webster, from Indy, was very successful at WIU, and looks like the starter at PG. Mayen had nice JC #s (esp. rebs) and will probably start. Stevenson started 13 games at Pitt as a frosh 2 years ago. Walker & Banton look like reaches. Andre is a freshman from London who was not in the Rivals 150, but who was also offered by Illinois, Maryland, and A&M.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Hey guys, IU fan here. you guys have a good bb forum, and I wanted to share with you a BT 2020-21 preview I've done.......what follows are my prediction for the #8-14 teams, for conversation. I've tried to be as accurate as possible, but if you see mistakes let me know......I plan on doing the same for teams 1-7....just haven't got to it yet.

8. Ohio State:
--Duane Washington....6'3" 210 lbs
--CJ Walker..................6'1" 205 lbs
--Kyle Young.................6'8" 225 lbs
--EJ Liddell....................6'7" 240 lbs
--Ibrahima Diallo...........6'10" 220 lbs
--Justin Ahrens..............6'6" 195 lbs
--Musa Jallow................6'5" 210 lbs
--Seth Towns..................6'8" 230 lbs.......Harvard grad T
--Justice Suenig.............6'6" 210 lbs........Cal Transfer
--Eugene Brown.............6'6" 185 lbs........Freshman, #100 Rivals
--Zed Key........................6'8" 245 lbs........Freshman, #113 Rivals

--Comments & Questions: This placement for OSU depends on Towns being able to come back after missing 2 years with injury. He was the Ivy League PoY in '18, and a #1-3 grad transfer this year even with the injury ??s. Suenig was another good get, leading a bad Cal team in scoring
and rebounding (14/6) 2 years ago. Liddell is said to be a breakout guy this year. Young has been injured, but is very valuable when healthy. Diallo would be a weak starting center.....Key may get early pt. OSU appears to have a higher ceiling than Purdue, but a lower floor if the injuries to Towns & Young don't work out in their favor. They also lack a true center. They need both to be healthy.

9. Purdue:
--Eric Hunter..........6'4" 175 lbs
--Travion Williams.6'9" 270 lbs
--Aaron Wheeler....6'9" 205 lbs
--Sasha Stefanovic 6'4" 190 lb
--Isaiah Thompson.6'1" 160 lbs
--Emanuel Dowuona.6'10" 230 lbs
--Brandon Newman.6'5" 190 lbs
--Jaden Ivey............6'4" 180 lbs
--Ethan Morton........6'6" 180 lbs

--Comments & Questions: Purdue could be better than this if 1. Williams takes his game from 13/8.5 in BT play last year to 16/11. Can he do that, or will he level off? 2. Wheeler regains his mojo. He looked scary good sometimes as a freshman. Last he he just looked scary.

I know Purdue fans are bragging about Newman, Morton & Ivey....to me, they look to be about a wash with, say, Franklin, Geronimo, Galloway & Leal.

10. Minnesota:
--Marcus Carr.........6'2" 195 lbs
--Gabe Kalscheur...6'4" 200 lbs
--Isaiah Ihnen.........6'9" 210 lbs
--Jarvis Omersa.....6'6" 235 lbs
--Tre Williams.........6'5" 195 lbs
--Eric Curry.............6'9" 240 lbs.......Injured 2020
--Both Gach............6'6" 210 lbs**....Utah transfer
--Liam Robbins......7'0" 235 lbs.......Drake grad T
--Brandon Johnson.6'8" 220 lbs.......WM grad T
--David Mutaf..........6'5" 190 lbs.......Turkish freshman
--Jamal Mashburn JR 6'2" 175 lbs....Freshman, #119 Rivals

--Comments & Questions: This roster is quite the mishmash, but I like Minnesota's 2020 potential more than on some of the forecasts I've seen. Curry was a '20 starter until his injury. Robbins & Johnson are a more-than-capable transfer duo. Gach was Utah's 2nd leading scorer....he's a wildcard because he has to get a waiver to play this year. Mutaf and Mashburn are guys who might contribute as freshmen.

11. Maryland:
--Eric Ayala...........6'5" 195 lbs
--Darryl Morsell.....6'5" 200 lbs
--Aaron Wiggons...6'6" 200 lbs
--Donta Scott.........6'7" 225 lbs
--Chol Marzial........7'2" 230 lbs
--Hakim Hart..........6'6" 200 lbs
--Galin Smith..........6'9" 240 lbs........'Bama Transfer
--Jarius Hamilton....6'8" 234 lbs........BC Transfer
--Arnoud Revaz.....6'10" 220 lbs......Swiss FR

--Comments & Questions: This not a good time to be a Maryland basketball fan. They really struck out on big-time pg recruits and grad transfers. Neither 6'1" Marcus Dockery nor 6'3" Aquian Smart were in Rivals top 150 last year, but one or both will have to see plenty of time in '20-'21. The news is not much better on the front line. Smith & Hamilton are mediocre grad transfers but both will see plenty of time. Marzial doesn't look ready to start. Hart wasn't very productive as a freshman. Revaz, from Switz., has experience in the EU18 league and might surprise. UCLA was also looking at him.

12. Penn State:
--Jamari Wheeler......6'1" 170 lbs
--Myron Jones...........6'3" 177 lbs
--Myles Dread...........6'4" 220 lbs
--Seth Lundy.............6'6" 219 lbs
--John Harrar............6'9" 240 lbs
--Izaiah Brockington..6'4" 200 lbs
--Valdir Manuel..........6'9" 225 lbs.....Freshman
--Abdou Tsimbila.......6'8" 230 lbs......Freshman

--Comments & Questions: PSU, like Maryland, needed 1 or 2 impact recruits, and didn't get them. They recruited 5 freshman, none of whom were top 150 guys for Rivals. The two listed seem like the most likely to play, due to need, Some people think Lundy might have a break-out year.

13. Northwestern:
--Boo Buie...............6'2" 180 lbs
--Miller Kopp............6'7" 210 lbs
--Pete Nance...........6'10" 225 lbs
--Ryan Young...........6'10" 235 lbs
--Ryan Grier.............6'2" 185 lbs
--Anthony Gaines.....6'4" 205 lbs
--Chase Audige........6'4" 200 lbs......Transfer from Bill & Mary
--Ty Berry..................6'3" 180 lbs......PG, #110 Rivals

--Comments & Questions: Boo looked like an emerging star last year, and Kopp's a nice player. Transfer Audige will probably start. Berry seemed underrated at #110 in Rivals.....he's also a candidate to start.

14. Nebraska:
--Thor Thorirjarnason....6'6" 206 lbs
--Yvan Ovedraogo.........6'9" 260 lbs
--Akol Arop....................6'6 190 lbs
--Teddy Allen.................6'5" 200 lbs.......JC transfer
--Kobe Webster.............6'0" 170 lbs.......WIU Transfer
--Lat Mayen...................6'9" 205 lbs........JC transfer
--Shamiel Stevenson.....6'6 245 lbs........Nevada Transfer
--Derrick Walker.............6'8' 235 lbs.......TENN Transfer
--Dalano Banton.............6'8" 195 lbs.......WK Transfer
--Eduardo Andre.............6'10" 220 lbs.....English Freshman

--Comments & Questions: Nebraska will be a very interesting team to watch in the non-conference, if only to see who will start. Only the first 2 players mentioned started last year. Allen was a Nebraska HS product who put up big scoring #s at the JC level. Webster, from Indy, was very successful at WIU, and looks like the starter at PG. Mayen had nice JC #s (esp. rebs) and will probably start. Stevenson started 13 games at Pitt as a frosh 2 years ago. Walker & Banton look like reaches. Andre is a freshman from London who was not in the Rivals 150, but who was also offered by Illinois, Maryland, and A&M.

You stole my post.:WideSmile:
I was just going to post this from the Indiana board.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

If you search the other B1G boards, almost all agree with Rutgers as 5th best to start the season. The other fans who have an issue with it are Penn State (expected) and Minnesota. Minnesota's problem with Rutgers is they may continue to be the low hanging fruit as Rutgers surpass them.

 

[urbanecane]

Ohio state is a wildcard for me. That roster is loaded with talent, but seems to be some strange things happening behind the scenes. Ton of guys transferring in and out. Big year for holtmann.

 

[srru86]

Good stuff - Thanks for posting

 

[dconifer]

As a lifelong Maryland fan, I will say that you assessment seems to be right on the money. I think it's a 17-14 type of season coming up (if there is a season)...

 

[Degaz-RU]

Good work here.

I would probably place Minnesota much lower, as they just won't be able to replace the production and overall presence of Daniel Oturu.

I would also place NW higher. I think most prognosticators are sleeping on NW because they were so bad last year. But they had a a very young roster last year, and young teams are prone to losing their grip on games down the stretch, and NW lost a TON of games in the last 10 minutes last year. I think they take a major step forward this year (much like Rutgers did with our super sophs), though I suspect NEXT year is when they really break out.

My prediction on your top 7:

1. Illinois - best 1-2 punch in the league
2. Wisky - they return just about everybody after winning 8 straight (and a share of the regular season B1G title) down the stretch
3. Iowa - they might average 85 ppg, so despite a leaky defense, they can just outscore everybody
4. MSU - they're very talented, but replacing the old man (Cassius Winston) and Tillman will still be a challenge
5. Michigan - losing X Simpson is huge, but the talent they're bringing in is just SICK
6. Rutgers - we should really be 4th or 5th, but it will be hard for outside prognosticators to pull the trigger on that - Rutgers might have the best all-around backcourt in the conference, with Baker, Mathis, Young, Harper and Mulcahy (okay, I'm cheating by including Harper, who is more of a WF, but still). And when you combine tenacious perimeter defense with Myles and Cliff roaming the paint, we might have the best defense in the conference too.
7. Indiana - Jackson-Davis is terrific, and they recruit very well, but they're going to need better guard play to rise above #7

 

[mushroomgod_1]

Good work here.

I would probably place Minnesota much lower, as they just won't be able to replace the production and overall presence of Daniel Oturu.

I would also place NW higher. I think most prognosticators are sleeping on NW because they were so bad last year. But they had a a very young roster last year, and young teams are prone to losing their grip on games down the stretch, and NW lost a TON of games in the last 10 minutes last year. I think they take a major step forward this year (much like Rutgers did with our super sophs), though I suspect NEXT year is when they really break out.

My prediction on your top 7:

1. Illinois - best 1-2 punch in the league
2. Wisky - they return just about everybody after winning 8 straight (and a share of the regular season B1G title) down the stretch
3. Iowa - they might average 85 ppg, so despite a leaky defense, they can just outscore everybody
4. MSU - they're very talented, but replacing the old man (Cassius Winston) and Tillman will still be a challenge
5. Michigan - losing X Simpson is huge, but the talent they're bringing in is just SICK
6. Rutgers - we should really be 4th or 5th, but it will be hard for outside prognosticators to pull the trigger on that - Rutgers might have the best all-around backcourt in the conference, with Baker, Mathis, Young, Harper and Mulcahy (okay, I'm cheating by including Harper, who is more of a WF, but still). And when you combine tenacious perimeter defense with Myles and Cliff roaming the paint, we might have the best defense in the conference too.
7. Indiana - Jackson-Davis is terrific, and they recruit very well, but they're going to need better guard play to rise above #7

Thanks for your comments.....

On Iowa.....I know Fran's always been crap on D, but you throw Nunge in there with Garza, and that's a lot of beef to get past to get the basket. Also, the younger McCaff might be a more willing defender than your typical Iowa player..........

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Good work here.

I would probably place Minnesota much lower, as they just won't be able to replace the production and overall presence of Daniel Oturu.

I would also place NW higher. I think most prognosticators are sleeping on NW because they were so bad last year. But they had a a very young roster last year, and young teams are prone to losing their grip on games down the stretch, and NW lost a TON of games in the last 10 minutes last year. I think they take a major step forward this year (much like Rutgers did with our super sophs), though I suspect NEXT year is when they really break out.

My prediction on your top 7:

1. Illinois - best 1-2 punch in the league
2. Wisky - they return just about everybody after winning 8 straight (and a share of the regular season B1G title) down the stretch
3. Iowa - they might average 85 ppg, so despite a leaky defense, they can just outscore everybody
4. MSU - they're very talented, but replacing the old man (Cassius Winston) and Tillman will still be a challenge
5. Michigan - losing X Simpson is huge, but the talent they're bringing in is just SICK
6. Rutgers - we should really be 4th or 5th, but it will be hard for outside prognosticators to pull the trigger on that - Rutgers might have the best all-around backcourt in the conference, with Baker, Mathis, Young, Harper and Mulcahy (okay, I'm cheating by including Harper, who is more of a WF, but still). And when you combine tenacious perimeter defense with Myles and Cliff roaming the paint, we might have the best defense in the conference too.
7. Indiana - Jackson-Davis is terrific, and they recruit very well, but they're going to need better guard play to rise above #7

You do realize Rutgers finished 5th last season, so it's not out of the question. We have less movement with our roster than most of the B1G.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Wisky take a step back because they overachieved. Teams are not going to take them lightly. Wisky has to give a full team effort and without it they are not good. They lack a player who can carry them when they struggle as a team.

This may be the best chance to attack Michigan State. They need time for new players to settle in and develop their roles.

Michigan, on paper, looks solid, but the lack of a flood general could hurt them in tight games. That's why I can see them as high as 5th or low as 8th

Iowa reminds me of Wisky, but the two major difference is Iowa's ability to shoot consistently from three and a dominating low-post big man. It opens up the court and keeps them in games.

Illinois has all the pieces to challenge for the league title. What they have to do is bring it to every game. There were times last year where they didn't bother to show up.

 

[shields]

Northwestern has some good young talent.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

You do realize Rutgers finished 5th last season, so it's not out of the question. We have less movement with our roster than most of the B1G.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Wisky take a step back because they overachieved. Teams are not going to take them lightly. Wisky has to give a full team effort and without it they are not good. They lack a player who can carry them when they struggle as a team.

This may be the best chance to attack Michigan State. They need time for new players to settle in and develop their roles.

Michigan, on paper, looks solid, but the lack of a flood general could hurt them in tight games. That's why I can see them as high as 5th or low as 8th

Iowa reminds me of Wisky, but the two major difference is Iowa's ability to shoot consistently from three and a dominating low-post big man. It opens up the court and keeps them in games.

Illinois has all the pieces to challenge for the league title. What they have to do is bring it to every game. There were times last year where they didn't bother to show up.

Certainly true, but we mostly kicked it into gear for the rest of the season after a January blowout in East Lansing. After that, our losses were at #18 Iowa, vs. #9 Maryland, a heartbreaker one-point loss to MSU, a rough loss in NJ to you guys without Ayo and at #19 OSU. We ended the season coming out on top in an absolute dogfight and emotionally exhausting rivalry game with Iowa. I think it just took the first half of the season for us to come together and click.

 

[shields]

You beat us at home when Geo did not play and we lost by what 3 points?

 

[LOU-RU85]

Ohio state is a wildcard for me. That roster is loaded with talent, but seems to be some strange things happening behind the scenes. Ton of guys transferring in and out. Big year for holtmann.

I agree with you. OSU will be interesting to watch. They could easily be better. I love this conference. I think these assessments are fair.