Opinion on B1G teams

[cubuffsdoug]

I'm watching the Purdue/ND game and Purdue's guards are what's holding them back. This is the third time I've watched their guard play prevent them from being better. Purdue's front court is truth, but they can't win it by themselves. If the guards raise their game Purdue is a top 5 teams imo.

Ohio State remains a mystery. They play to the level of the competition. They are an athletic team, but don't use it to their advantage.

Penn State's biggest problem is the coach. He has recruited a lot of talent, but he seems to be the one holding them back. Should not be a .500 team right now with the talent they have on the roster.

What about the rest of the league?

 

[huskersalways]

Nebraska sucks

 

[RU-ROCS]

Ohio State is a more athletic version of RU, with shooting almost as bad. That is their Achilles heel.

 

[seels2662]

Minnesota basically plays a seven man rotation. Their 3 front court players are 6'10", 6'8", and 6'6".

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Minnesota basically plays a seven man rotation. Their 3 front court players are 6'10", 6'8", and 6'6".

They can't afford to get into foul trouble. If I recall correctly, they do have a freshman guard who is pretty good.

 

[bac2therac]

I watched 3 Big 10 schools all gain quality wins in nailbiters.

Purdue looked pretty impressive rallying to beat Notre Dame.. Swanigan will be tough to handle. Should be top 4 in league

Illinois hung on to beat BYU...they have a few pretty good players, this team is better than last year because they were suffering injuries worse than RU and they have these players back

Northwestern nearly blew a 24 point but held on against Dayton. Despite an implosion for the last 10 minutes and another in the last minute, they secured a quality win for their resume. Last year they played a RU type non conference schedule and finished 12-1 but even with 20 wins didnt even make the NIT, this year they are going to make a run an at large bid. They are a well coached team despite not looking like in the 2nd half.

I didnt watch the game but Indiana lost by 5 to Butler. Indiana will be a Big 10 title contender and almost assuredly finish top 4.

Iowa had some rough patches early but now finding their way as they have picked up wins over Iowa State and Northern Iowa. Wouldnt sleep on them at all as they have potential to sneak some upsets especially at home but they are going to be a bottom 6 school

Ohio State just lost to UCLA yesterday by 13 and lost to Virginia by just 2, the Florida Atlantic loss at home was a head scratcher. I see them as up and down this year as with Michigan State but MSU will end up in the tourney, OSU not so sure. MSU wasnt ready for the tough competiton early but you just know Izzo will right this team in league play

Minnesota is way better than last year and has 2 wins over SEC programs. this is a team that can get to 500 in league and position themselves for the NCAA tourney..remember many of their losses last year were very close to top teams.

I think Penn State is the clear loser right now, really underperforming. I think Nebraska is interesting because they are only about 500 but the schedule has been brutal and some of those losses have been close. I think they have some upside.

Here is how I rank the Big 10 right now based on what we have seen and who these schools have beaten

1. Wisconsin
2. Indiana
3. Purdue
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan State
7. Michigan
8. Minnesota
9. Ohio State
10. Illinois
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Nebraska
14 Penn State

I rank Rutgers 12th at this point because all the schools ahead of them have better wins even if they have WTF losses. I think RU can finish as high as 10th if things shake out right

 

[shields]

St.john's stinks.

 

[huskersalways]

I watched 3 Big 10 schools all gain quality wins in nailbiters.

Purdue looked pretty impressive rallying to beat Notre Dame.. Swanigan will be tough to handle. Should be top 4 in league

Illinois hung on to beat BYU...they have a few pretty good players, this team is better than last year because they were suffering injuries worse than RU and they have these players back

Northwestern nearly blew a 24 point but held on against Dayton. Despite an implosion for the last 10 minutes and another in the last minute, they secured a quality win for their resume. Last year they played a RU type non conference schedule and finished 12-1 but even with 20 wins didnt even make the NIT, this year they are going to make a run an at large bid. They are a well coached team despite not looking like in the 2nd half.

I didnt watch the game but Indiana lost by 5 to Butler. Indiana will be a Big 10 title contender and almost assuredly finish top 4.

Iowa had some rough patches early but now finding their way as they have picked up wins over Iowa State and Northern Iowa. Wouldnt sleep on them at all as they have potential to sneak some upsets especially at home but they are going to be a bottom 6 school

Ohio State just lost to UCLA yesterday by 13 and lost to Virginia by just 2, the Florida Atlantic loss at home was a head scratcher. I see them as up and down this year as with Michigan State but MSU will end up in the tourney, OSU not so sure. MSU wasnt ready for the tough competiton early but you just know Izzo will right this team in league play

Minnesota is way better than last year and has 2 wins over SEC programs. this is a team that can get to 500 in league and position themselves for the NCAA tourney..remember many of their losses last year were very close to top teams.

I think Penn State is the clear loser right now, really underperforming. I think Nebraska is interesting because they are only about 500 but the schedule has been brutal and some of those losses have been close. I think they have some upside.

Here is how I rank the Big 10 right now based on what we have seen and who these schools have beaten

1. Wisconsin
2. Indiana
3. Purdue
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan State
7. Michigan
8. Minnesota
9. Ohio State
10. Illinois
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Nebraska
14 Penn State

I rank Rutgers 12th at this point because all the schools ahead of them have better wins even if they have WTF losses. I think RU can finish as high as 10th if things shake out right

Nebraska played Dayton and the game went the same way as the Northwestern one. I'm thinking Dayton may be slow out of the gate.

Nebraska's SOS was #1 in the country at the beginning of the week. They are very very athletic but just not great hoops players. Also playing 1 senior, 2 sophomores, 1 Junior, and 4 Freshman in their rotation. They are improving as the freshman adjust. If they don't make any post season tourney NU may be looking to make a change. Hoops program has lots of $$$ now since new arena so may look in a different direction.

MSU will be a tough out in conference. They are young and Izzo has put them through hell schedule wise and they will be prepared for conference and the NCAA's

Ohio St better make the tourney or Matta may be in trouble.

I have watched Michigan. They are pretty good. Will be in top half for sure.

Wisconsin and Indiana appear to be very good.

Purdue'a hoops team is bigger than their FB team.

If Northwestern and Penn St don't make the tourney then the seats will be damn hot at both place especially PSU.

 

[Russ Wood]

Nebraska'sbasketball facilities are amazing but on court results are lacking. Maryland is struggling. Their bigs can't stay healthy and they are shooting poorly on the perimeter. Plus they're relying on heavy minutes from three freshmen so they could be up-and-down this season

 

[bingethinker]

Nebraska'sbasketball facilities are amazing but on court results are lacking. Maryland is struggling. Their bigs can't stay healthy and they are shooting poorly on the perimeter. Plus they're relying on heavy minutes from three freshmen so they could be up-and-down this season

I agree with your shooting assessment but it's tough to describe a team with a 11-1 record as "struggling". The freshman have performed well and fairly steadily for freshman.

 

[Russ Wood]

I agree with your shooting assessment but it's tough to describe a team with a 11-1 record as "struggling". The freshman have performed well and fairly steadily for freshman.

The record is deceiving, also consider their opponents. I've watched them four times this season and they're struggling right now. Will they get better? I hope they do but it depends on their big man situation.

 

[bac2therac]

well after that horrific loss to Northeastern yesterday, I will knock Michgan State down to 9 for now....they will get better, they struggled early last year too but until they get their act together those others schools like Michigan and Ohio State deserve to be ahead of them

1. Wisconsin
2. Indiana
3. Purdue
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan
7. Minnesota
8. Ohio State
9. Michigan State
10. Illinois
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Nebraska
14 Penn State

 

[cubuffsdoug]

well after that horrific loss to Northeastern yesterday, I will knock Michgan State down to 9 for now....they will get better, they struggled early last year too but until they get their act together those others schools like Michigan and Ohio State deserve to be ahead of them

1. Wisconsin
2. Indiana
3. Purdue
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan
7. Minnesota
8. Ohio State
9. Michigan State
10. Illinois
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Nebraska
14 Penn State

Still waiting for the other shoe to drop for Michigan State. Something weird is going on and East Lansing. First the football team struggles, now the basketball team. S*** happens.

 

[Bdodger2]

I watched 3 Big 10 schools all gain quality wins in nailbiters.

Purdue looked pretty impressive rallying to beat Notre Dame.. Swanigan will be tough to handle. Should be top 4 in league

Illinois hung on to beat BYU...they have a few pretty good players, this team is better than last year because they were suffering injuries worse than RU and they have these players back

Northwestern nearly blew a 24 point but held on against Dayton. Despite an implosion for the last 10 minutes and another in the last minute, they secured a quality win for their resume. Last year they played a RU type non conference schedule and finished 12-1 but even with 20 wins didnt even make the NIT, this year they are going to make a run an at large bid. They are a well coached team despite not looking like in the 2nd half.

I didnt watch the game but Indiana lost by 5 to Butler. Indiana will be a Big 10 title contender and almost assuredly finish top 4.

Iowa had some rough patches early but now finding their way as they have picked up wins over Iowa State and Northern Iowa. Wouldnt sleep on them at all as they have potential to sneak some upsets especially at home but they are going to be a bottom 6 school

Ohio State just lost to UCLA yesterday by 13 and lost to Virginia by just 2, the Florida Atlantic loss at home was a head scratcher. I see them as up and down this year as with Michigan State but MSU will end up in the tourney, OSU not so sure. MSU wasnt ready for the tough competiton early but you just know Izzo will right this team in league play

Minnesota is way better than last year and has 2 wins over SEC programs. this is a team that can get to 500 in league and position themselves for the NCAA tourney..remember many of their losses last year were very close to top teams.

I think Penn State is the clear loser right now, really underperforming. I think Nebraska is interesting because they are only about 500 but the schedule has been brutal and some of those losses have been close. I think they have some upside.

Here is how I rank the Big 10 right now based on what we have seen and who these schools have beaten

1. Wisconsin
2. Indiana
3. Purdue
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan State
7. Michigan
8. Minnesota
9. Ohio State
10. Illinois
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Nebraska
14 Penn State

I rank Rutgers 12th at this point because all the schools ahead of them have better wins even if they have WTF losses. I think RU can finish as high as 10th if things shake out right[/QUOT

Very good analysis Bac. I am intrigued by Northwestern. Collins is a very good coach, they have a fair amount of depth, and nice overall balance. I believe they have only lost two games - to Butler and Notre Dame, and each was a 2 point loss.

 

[bac2therac]

thanks...Northwestern looks better than last year even with the loss of their senior guard I forget his name. McIntosh is tough and they have added a couple of pieces. Last year they played a weak schedule and were 12-1 non conference 8-10 in league, this year they have set themselves up with a much tougher schedule and it paid off with a win over Dayton and those losses were close. With the Big 10 down a bit, I expect them to fill the void a bit. For them its going to come down to whether they take care of business against schools they should beat like Nebraska, Rutgers, and Penn State. I see RU fans pencilling in a win at the RAC against Northwestern, but forget the name, this team is good

 

[Deathclutch]

Minnesota basically plays a seven man rotation. Their 3 front court players are 6'10", 6'8", and 6'6".

They can't afford to get into foul trouble. If I recall correctly, they do have a freshman guard who is pretty good.

Minnesota fan here, our starting frontcourt is:

SF Amir Coffey (6'8)
PF Jordan Murphy (6'6)
C Reggie Lynch (6'10)

Backups are:
SF Michael Hurt (6'6)
PF Eric Curry (6'9)
C Bakary Konate (6'11)

Good job on the start guys. Who'da thunk our combined records at this point would be 22-2, after last year.

 

[bac2therac]

New Updated Power Rankings on the eve of conference play

1. Wisconsin
2. Purdue
3. Indiana
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan
7. Minnesota
8. Illinois
9. Michigan State
10. Ohio State
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Penn State
14 Nebraska

 

[2rutgersu]

looking at Purdue to go head to head..can see them toppling Wisconsin
think Maryland starts off slow and if things come together can top Indiana
also would put RU over Iowa--close to toss up, but go with home team

 

[cubuffsdoug]

New Updated Power Rankings on the eve of conference play

1. Wisconsin
2. Purdue
3. Indiana
4. Maryland
5. Northwestern
6. Michigan
7. Minnesota
8. Illinois
9. Michigan State
10. Ohio State
11. Iowa
12. Rutgers
13. Penn State
14 Nebraska

Not sold on Minnesota yet. They were in the same boat as Rutgers last year. They have to prove themselves just like Rutgers. Also, Michigan State is given a pass so far because of their history. Overall, Michigan State sports are in for a rough year. Bottom line, after the top 6 it's anyone's guess. There isn't a lot of separation in this group.

 

[bac2therac]

Minnesota has wins over Arkansas, Vandy and Arkansas State...all 3 solid schools. Last year they lost alot of close games in league, were much more competitive than RU and then the suspensions at year end killed them totally. We shall see where they land but I think they are much better positioned than RU to make inroads. I might be going out on a limb projecting them as a NCAA team this year but they are my surprise team for the year

 

[koleszar]

Nebraska sucks

Tell us how you really feel huskersalway's [laughing] For some reason this curt answer made me laugh.

 

[Shimmy24]

Jesus where do I even start with Maryland? They're pretty maddening to watch as a fan because of their constant slow starts, but they definitely have some good talent. Melo is obviously the guy, but the next three best players are the freshmen, which is a gift and a curse. They'll be better come the end of conference, but having to put so much faith in freshmen is difficult.

The real issue is going to be the big men however. Dodd is one dimensional with close to zero offensive ability, and Cekovsky gets blown by defensively and is super inconsistent with the ball.

I expect MD to play probably 80% of the Big Ten games very very close and to be blown out in a few as well. Might win a game or two running away, but that's not our style. We go as far as Melo takes us this year.

 

[bac2therac]

with the Big 10 a bit down overall you guys can rack up some wins but if you guys let these bottom schools stick in the games it may be a dicey season. The bottom 6 schools have improved. I think Maryland will be fine when push comes to shove though, talent usual wins out