After a dismal 2011 NCAA tournament showing in which the Big Ten had an impressive seven teams represented, they managed to only tally 7 total wins and no single team got past the Sweet 16. But with a plethora of young players developing throughout the Big Ten, this season is shaping up to be a very competitive one throughout. With the potential of higher competition amongst the Big Ten's teams, the midwest's most prolific conference should be able to use that competition to build its teams' character and yield a much more impressive showing come March 2012.
Here are the Big Ten teams that could change the tournament tides for their conference:
1. Ohio State
The Ohio State University is once again ranked far too high in the preseason rankings (No. 3) because their name is Ohio State, but they are still the best team in the Big Ten this year. Jared Sullinger made the right move in returning to the Buckeyes, as he would currently be a bouncer in a Columbus bar if he would have entered the draft. The offense will not only be run through him, but it will more or less be him. If Sullinger goes down, the Buckeyes will be relying heavily on William Buford, as he is the only other returning player with any real experience.
Out of Conference Game to Watch — vs. Duke, Nov. 29th
2. Wisconsin
The Badgers are arguably the most disciplined team in the league. They run a solid offense, play great help defense, and box-out every single play (they led the Big Ten in rebounds last year). Jordan Taylor returns to the Badgers to lead his team for one final run. Taylor lost sidekick Jon Leuer to the draft, sophomore point guard Josh Gasser returns and will take his starting spot. Gasser played very well last year and worked his way into the starting lineup for 30 games as a freshman. With the best backcourt in the Big Ten and the most hustle, perhaps in the country, the Badgers will have a very real shot at taking the Big Ten title from the Buckeyes and making a run for the Final Four.
Out of Conference Game to Watch — at Marquette, Dec. 3rd
3. Michigan State
The Spartans were very overhyped last year and most people who read this will probably accuse me of overhyping them this year. I defend this argument with the fact that Tom Izzo simply will not let hype go to his teams head twice in a row. They picked up a transfer from Valparaiso named Brandon Wood to fill the holes in the backcourt left by the not-so-dynamic duo of Korie Lucious and Kailin Lucas of last year. Michigan State has a great chance of exploding into the rankings as they play North Carolina and Duke in their first two games of the year. I dare to say Izzo and Sparty take one of those two games, if not even both.
Out of Conference Games to Watch — UNC, Nov. 11th and Duke, Nov. 15th
4. Michigan
Both East Lansing and Ann Arbor have teams that could wind up in New Orleans for the final four next year. Michigan was a surprise last year and wound up going 21-14 after losing virtually their whole lineup. Young stars Darius Morris, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Stu Douglass, and Zack Novak all stepped up in big ways last year and though Morris is on to the NBA, the experience of the latter three should propel the Wolverines deep into the NCAA tournament.
Out of Conference Game to Watch — vs. Oakland, Dec. 10th
5. Minnesota
Last year was Tubby Smith's first time not making the NCAA tournament and much like Tom Izzo, he won't be a disappointment twice in a row. I feel some sympathy for the members of his team, because I'm sure it was quite a demanding off =season, but I'm guessing it will pay off and the Gophers will add a few tallies to the tourney win column for the Big Ten.
Out of Conference Game to Watch — USC, Dec. 3rd
The Rest of the Gang
I feel Purdue lost too much when JuJuan Johnson and E'Twuan Moore went on the the Association, but if the team continues to play defense and a few things fall in place, the Boilermakers could win a few tourney games. Penn State lost everything when Taylor Battle graduated and won't end the season above .500. Northwestern played decently enough last year to win a few NIT games, but with their lack of defense most likely returning this year, I think that's all they'll win this year, as well.
Iowa lost everyone to graduation, as well, but last year they returned their whole starting lineup and played so far under their hype that they snuck into the tournament with a nine-seed. They did, however, manage to surprise once again and won a game, so I think, due to their wild card antics, they have the best chance to be the surprise of the Big Ten. If Fran McCaffery is able to replace Taylor Battle as the Big Ten's leading scorer, then the Hawkeys may be able to ride the McCaffery train to the NCAA tournament like the Nittany Lions did with Battle. If he doesn't step up, though, the Hawkeyes won't win 10 games in the Big Ten.
Nebraska may be gaining the respect of its new big brothers in the Big Ten on the football field, but the Huskers don't really have much going for them on the hardwood. A 76-49 stomping by Wichita State in the NIT tournament doesn't give me much confidence in them.
Though the Big Ten's bottom-of-the-barrel teams are not good at all, I think the Big Ten will balance out as a solid conference with wins from their top end teams. The Big Ten will have at least six teams in the tournament (my five picks, plus a wild card) and with thanks to some difficult out-of-conference games and some stiffer competitions in conference, the Big Ten will definitely have some representation in the Final Four and maybe even a national champ from the Buckeyes or the Wolverines.
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