Big Ten Preview

[kcg88]

My four-part Big Ten is now complete! Figured some folks here might enjoy it.

Part 1 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-1

Part 2 (Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-2

Part 3 (Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-3

Part 4 (Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-4

 

[Scangg]

Well done sir

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Great work! As an Illini fan, I’d say many of us feel the same - tons of talent, more than last year on paper, but plenty of unknowns - except obviously more hopeful/optimistic.

One thing I’m optimistic about is losing some of our rigidity. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, we objectively had great teams that could theoretically do damage in March … and yet in the latter two (2020 cancelled, obviously), we didn’t. Why? 2022 was partly because Frazier and Grandison went 100% healthy, but let’s leave that one … I think it’s that all those teams COULD be great WHEN they were on their game.

No team in the nation was beating the 2021 Illini if you let Ayo and Co. run ball screens and dump it to Kofi if you helped … but Loyola scouted is perfectly, and we were COMPLETELY lost.

Few teams in the nation would beat the 2022 Illini if we were hitting our 3s, because if you guarded us too tight, we’d feed Kofi. However, when the shots weren’t falling and a team like Houston had long, athletic players double-team Kofi, they forced turnovers and we didn’t know how to respond until it was too late.

I think this team will have more hiccups (especially early), and they might not be able to bring home the B1G banners that our past couple teams have … but I actually think they might be (FINALLY, lol) better positioned for a good showing in March Madness.

I’m fairly high on the Knights, too, so go Illini and go Rutgers!

 

[Scangg]

Great work! As an Illini fan, I’d say many of us feel the same - tons of talent, more than last year on paper, but plenty of unknowns - except obviously more hopeful/optimistic.

One thing I’m optimistic about is losing some of our rigidity. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, we objectively had great teams that could theoretically do damage in March … and yet in the latter two (2020 cancelled, obviously), we didn’t. Why? 2022 was partly because Frazier and Grandison went 100% healthy, but let’s leave that one … I think it’s that all those teams COULD be great WHEN they were on their game.

No team in the nation was beating the 2021 Illini if you let Ayo and Co. run ball screens and dump it to Kofi if you helped … but Loyola scouted is perfectly, and we were COMPLETELY lost.

Few teams in the nation would beat the 2022 Illini if we were hitting our 3s, because if you guarded us too tight, we’d feed Kofi. However, when the shots weren’t falling and a team like Houston had long, athletic players double-team Kofi, they forced turnovers and we didn’t know how to respond until it was too late.

I think this team will have more hiccups (especially early), and they might not be able to bring home the B1G banners that our past couple teams have … but I actually think they might be (FINALLY, lol) better positioned for a good showing in March Madness.

I’m fairly high on the Knights, too, so go Illini and go Rutgers!

Pretty spot on. Illinois is going to be very good IMO and have the horses to make a tournament run. I'm still bummed we missed out on Hawkins. I reallyyyy wanted him as a recruit

We don't play Illinois til February so we don't get a shot at the playing them "before they gel". It's also on the road. That's going to be a tough challenge.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

You could feed Kofi every possession, but by the 5th one he was out of gas.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Great balanced analysis

 

[BOGDANOVICH]

Brilliant analysis of all the teams. Who is this guy?

 

[goru7]

Kevin , great job of research , use of analytics and your gut feel for the teams. It was balanced and not too over the top for any team which I agree that this year’s BIG 10 doesn’t have any great teams. It also lost the most talent in forever to the NBA including a lot of sophomores that if they returned would have made their teams immediate contenders.
I am also quite optimistic about Rutgers chances at a title because our blend of returning starters and bench players , the big transfer portal shooter and an underrated freshman class that will see extensive action for freshman in general , will give us the flexibility to play with anyone. Doubt we lose any game at the RAC( JMA) so can the team step up on the road to chase a title ? Will be very interesting and the excitement is building.

 

[combes]

You could feed Kofi every possession, but by the 5th one he was out of gas.

Not true at all.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Not true at all.

He killed us at your place for the 1st 5 minutes. He Completely owned Cliff. You went to him every possession. It was like playing Xbox and his power meter got depleted and he was done the rest of the game

Men's Basketball vs Illinois on 2/16/2022 - Box Score - Rutgers University Athletics

The official box score of Men's Basketball vs Illinois on 2/16/2022

scarletknights.com

 

[GRU23]

Truly great analysis. Still not sold on Purdue, I know they have some interesting pieces in terms of length but most aren’t proven contributors yet and their guard play is worrisome to say the least. Lack of guards and athleticism imo does not bode well. Gillis is a top tier role player tho.

 

[fatsam98]

Outstanding work @kcg88 -- enjoyed reading those.

 

[Geo_Baker_1]

jumped on the field of 68 show and we gave our pre season analysis of the big ten! I give my preseason rankings at the end but I’ll just post them in here!



Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Purdue
Michigan
Rutgers
Michigan State
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Maryland
Penn State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Nebraska

 

[Geo_Baker_1]

My four-part Big Ten is now complete! Figured some folks here might enjoy it.

Part 1 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-1

Part 2 (Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-2

Part 3 (Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-3

Part 4 (Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin): https://theb1gpicture.substack.com/p/2022-23-big-ten-preview-part-4

I’m also high on Purdue. In a year where there’s so many question marks I’m gonna bet on painter lol

 

[fluoxetine]

I’ve only read Rutgers and Illinois so far but well done. Well written

“(In fairness, Murray did go for 26 when the two teams met in the Big Ten tournament)”

isn’t this the game where Caleb got the completely bullshit ejection for an incidental cock grab

 

[Unionst]

jumped on the field of 68 show and we gave our pre season analysis of the big ten! I give my preseason rankings at the end but I’ll just post them in here!

View embedded media

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Purdue
Michigan
Rutgers
Michigan State
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Maryland
Penn State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Nebraska

Geo, great job! Enjoyed your many interesting insights.

 

[rubigtimenow]

I read part 1 OP and I’ll definitely come back to read the others eventually. Really great job! I enjoyed the in-depth, reasoned analysis.

(1 little tidbit of a suggestion…and i know you started with that this info can be found in any magazine but… I would have loved to also see some basic summarized details at the beginning or end for each team:
-overall and conference record last year
-key players returning (and their key stats from last year)
-key losses from last year (and their key stats)
-key additions this year
-1-2 other stats that you think are most relevant
That’s my 2 cents.)

 

[motel00]

The Big Ten should hire you to do this on the net work! Great job!

 

[BillyC80]

Well done Kevin G!

 

[combes]

Your guy Geo is already better than some of the talking heads. Really insightful stuff.

 

[gmay8]

jumped on the field of 68 show and we gave our pre season analysis of the big ten! I give my preseason rankings at the end but I’ll just post them in here!

View embedded media

Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Purdue
Michigan
Rutgers
Michigan State
Ohio State
Wisconsin
Maryland
Penn State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Nebraska

Loved this Geo!!! Keep speaking up for RU, all those midwestern dorks won't!

 

[robjknight]

Geo,
You are a natural
Great Job

 

[shields]

Great job, RU 11. That is a joke.

 

[ScarletDave]

I feel like I’m in the twilight zone. No way IU is #1 in this league. Bet the farm on the field winning the conference. IU will not finish top 4 even, they are pathetic

 

[RUChoppin]

I don't know if the players on Indiana even believe they're #1 in the league. They haven't had a winning conference record since 2015-16 and haven't even been .500 since 2017-18.