2014-2015 Big Ten Basketball Preview
ESPN projections: Nick's Projections:
- Wisconsin 1. Wisconsin
- Ohio State 2. Ohio State
- Michigan 3. Iowa
- Iowa 4. Michigan
- Michigan State 5. Michigan State
- Nebraska 6. Illinois
- Illinois 7. Minnesota
- Maryland 8. Maryland
- Minnesota 9. Nebraska
- Indiana 10. Indiana
- Northwestern 11. Northwestern
- Purdue 12. Purdue
- Penn State 13. Penn State
- Rutgers 14. Rutgers
Wisconsin-
A final four team that lost no major players last season, in a league where all of the powerhouses lost at least one major player. Along with Bo Ryan at the helm it's looking like a very bright season for the Badgers.
Ohio State-
Ohio State lost some big pieces in their starting line-up, luckily for them they have a top 5 recruiting class and of that have one of the best shooting guard recruits in D' Angelo Russell. The Buckeyes have their eyes set on trying to over take Wisconsin as the big dog in the Big Ten.
Iowa-
The loss Devyn Marble at shooting guard hurts the Hawkeyes, but good for them is the fact that they are only losing one piece of the puzzle instead of a few like a lot of the other powerhouse teams in the Big Ten.
Michigan-
The Wolverines lost one of the best scorers on one of the best offenses in the Big Ten last season, which is obviously going to be a tough task to overcome. Luckily for Michigan Caris LeVert who is the Big Ten most improved player is now the man this team is based around. Hopefully for Michigan he's up for that kind of work.
Michigan State-
Sparty lost a lot of big name players, and had the 34th best recruiting class, which is good, but is not going to win you championships. So with the losses and no real big additions how is Michigan State going to place fifth in the best conference in college basketball. Tom Izzo. One of the best coaches in college basketball.
Illinois-
Illinois lost their starting point guard Tracy Abrams but luckily for them they have a strong group of guys around him that should help Illinois keep going into the right direction and still be able to make it to the big dance in March.
Minnesota-
Minnesota lost senior shooting guard Austin Hollins who was a spark plug for the Minnesota offense. But luckily for the gophers they have guard DeAndre Mathieu to help fill the void and all of their starters and most bench players are returning this season after an NIT title for the gophers.
Maryland-
Maryland lost a lot of their key players but bringing in a top ten recruiting class should help Maryland stay in a contention for being an NCAA tourney team. Melo Trimble will really dictate how well this Maryland team will do.
Nebraska-
Unlike a lot of people I'm not very high on this Nebraska team, they have a superstar in Terran Petteway but they don't have any real player to step up and take some of the work load off of Terran and after playing all year in the Big Ten he should be pretty worn out in March,
Indiana-
After a disappointing season for the Hoosiers they do have a bright spot in Yogi Ferrell and a couple new recruits that should be able to help turn things around for the Hoosiers who should miss the big dance this year, but if they keep working in the right direction could be there in the 2015-2016 season.
Northwestern-
Drew Crawford is the only bright spot on this Northwestern team, They had a fantastic defense but the offense was one of the worst in the whole country, They are going to need to make MAJOR improvements on offense if they even want to think about even making the tourney,
Purdue-
Just like Northwestern they were just horrific on offense, but had a very solid defense, they were one of the best defensive rebounding teams around. If they can find a way to put the ball in the hoop and have a player emerge as a leader on this team, they could surprise a few people.
Penn State-
It's going to be another tough year for the Nittany Lions who I don't feel really have a chance to compete in the Big Ten, they have solid players around the board but no one to compete with teams like Wisconsin or Ohio State, or even Minnesota or Maryland for that matter. The only plus side for Penn State is that their recruiting is looking up to help bring them back into the light.
Rutgers-
I have no words for this Rutgers team, they are not going have a very fun season in the Big Ten. Good thing for them is that they have a couple nice recruits that will hopefully bring good basketball back to the Scarlet Knights. I for their sake I hope they change it fast.
The Big Dance-
I believe that the Big Ten sends 8 teams and the top eight in my rankings from Wisconsin through Maryland. They could send nine but it all depends on if someone else can help Terran Petteway in Nebraska.
Iowa-
The loss Devyn Marble at shooting guard hurts the Hawkeyes, but good for them is the fact that they are only losing one piece of the puzzle instead of a few like a lot of the other powerhouse teams in the Big Ten.
Michigan-
The Wolverines lost one of the best scorers on one of the best offenses in the Big Ten last season, which is obviously going to be a tough task to overcome. Luckily for Michigan Caris LeVert who is the Big Ten most improved player is now the man this team is based around. Hopefully for Michigan he's up for that kind of work.
Michigan State-
Sparty lost a lot of big name players, and had the 34th best recruiting class, which is good, but is not going to win you championships. So with the losses and no real big additions how is Michigan State going to place fifth in the best conference in college basketball. Tom Izzo. One of the best coaches in college basketball.
Illinois-
Illinois lost their starting point guard Tracy Abrams but luckily for them they have a strong group of guys around him that should help Illinois keep going into the right direction and still be able to make it to the big dance in March.
Minnesota-
Minnesota lost senior shooting guard Austin Hollins who was a spark plug for the Minnesota offense. But luckily for the gophers they have guard DeAndre Mathieu to help fill the void and all of their starters and most bench players are returning this season after an NIT title for the gophers.
Maryland-
Maryland lost a lot of their key players but bringing in a top ten recruiting class should help Maryland stay in a contention for being an NCAA tourney team. Melo Trimble will really dictate how well this Maryland team will do.
Nebraska-
Unlike a lot of people I'm not very high on this Nebraska team, they have a superstar in Terran Petteway but they don't have any real player to step up and take some of the work load off of Terran and after playing all year in the Big Ten he should be pretty worn out in March,
Indiana-
After a disappointing season for the Hoosiers they do have a bright spot in Yogi Ferrell and a couple new recruits that should be able to help turn things around for the Hoosiers who should miss the big dance this year, but if they keep working in the right direction could be there in the 2015-2016 season.
Northwestern-
Drew Crawford is the only bright spot on this Northwestern team, They had a fantastic defense but the offense was one of the worst in the whole country, They are going to need to make MAJOR improvements on offense if they even want to think about even making the tourney,
Purdue-
Just like Northwestern they were just horrific on offense, but had a very solid defense, they were one of the best defensive rebounding teams around. If they can find a way to put the ball in the hoop and have a player emerge as a leader on this team, they could surprise a few people.
Penn State-
It's going to be another tough year for the Nittany Lions who I don't feel really have a chance to compete in the Big Ten, they have solid players around the board but no one to compete with teams like Wisconsin or Ohio State, or even Minnesota or Maryland for that matter. The only plus side for Penn State is that their recruiting is looking up to help bring them back into the light.
Rutgers-
I have no words for this Rutgers team, they are not going have a very fun season in the Big Ten. Good thing for them is that they have a couple nice recruits that will hopefully bring good basketball back to the Scarlet Knights. I for their sake I hope they change it fast.
The Big Dance-
I believe that the Big Ten sends 8 teams and the top eight in my rankings from Wisconsin through Maryland. They could send nine but it all depends on if someone else can help Terran Petteway in Nebraska.
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