Big Ten Predictions

[HoosierFan1994]

Saw the media poll was released today. I'm too upset with my Cowboys right now so I'd rather think about basketball. Being on fall break I had some time to do my Big Ten picks for this year. Post yours below.

Preseason Poll

1) Michigan State: Great mix of vets and freshmen. Need someone to play at another level (Walker?)

2) Purdue: Edey is Edey. Loyer and Smith will be better. Can someone from the supporting cast step up?

3) Maryland: Most underrated team I think. Love Jahmir Young. Julian Reese is a stud. DHS could be this years JHS..

4) Wisconsin: Pretty much return everyone from a team that was playing well at the end of the year. Need someone to step up. 

5) Indiana: Really want to put them at 3 but too many question marks. I think X and Mackenzie will be awesome. Too much talent to not be up here. 

6) Illinois: Terrence Shannon is probably the 2nd best player in the conference. I think Hawkins is extremely overrated. Lack of PG puts them here. 

7) Northwestern: Buie is a very good player but Audige was just as important. They may be a fringe NCAA Tournament team. Had a lot of luck last year.

8) Ohio State: Really young team. Relying on Fr and So. Thornton and Gayle could breakout. 

9) Iowa: Seem to always be in the mix for the tournament but this year feels different without a Garza or Murray. 

10) Rutgers: Had the worst offseason of anyone in the Big Ten. Omoruyi is probably a top 3 big man in this conference. Just lack of talent outside of him. 

11) Michigan: Solid transfer from Tennessee. A few breakout candidates. Just think Howard is not the answer there. 

12) Penn State: interesting team. Love Baldwin. Not sure if they have much else. A lot of transfers from some big name programs. 

13) Nebraska: Tominaga going off is their best chance to win games. Rough year in Lincoln. 

14) Minnesota: Garcia is all they have. Lots of transfers. 

Awards

Big Ten POY: Edey

Big Ten POY not named Edey: Shannon Jr

Big Ten FOY: Mackenzie Mgbako

Big Ten COY: Mike Woodson

All Conference

1st Team: Tyson Walker, Jahmir Young, Terrence Shannon, Julian Reese (my "breakout player"), Zach Edey

2nd Team: Boo Buie, Xavier Johnson, Chucky Hepburn, Jamison Battle, Clifford Omoruyi

3rd Team: AJ Hoggard, Fletcher Loyer, DeShawn Harris-Smith, Mackenzie Mgbako, Olivier Nkamhoua 

Hon: I think Reneau will be honorable mention. I feel awful for saying this, I just don't have the best feeling about Kel'el Ware..

Tournament

 Michigan State I think is a Final Four/Elite 8 caliber team. Purdue, I am just not buying the hype. I think Sweet 16. Maryland is a legit top 25 team. 2nd Round/Sweet 16 potential. Wisconsin and IU I think are teams that can win a game, 2 at the most. Illinois is an 8/9 kind of team. Northwestern and Ohio State just sneak in. 

[HoosierHoopster]

3 hours ago, HoosierFan1994 said:

Saw the media poll was released today. I'm too upset with my Cowboys right now so I'd rather think about basketball. Being on fall break I had some time to do my Big Ten picks for this year. Post yours below.

Preseason Poll

1) Michigan State: Great mix of vets and freshmen. Need someone to play at another level (Walker?)

2) Purdue: Edey is Edey. Loyer and Smith will be better. Can someone from the supporting cast step up?

3) Maryland: Most underrated team I think. Love Jahmir Young. Julian Reese is a stud. DHS could be this years JHS..

4) Wisconsin: Pretty much return everyone from a team that was playing well at the end of the year. Need someone to step up. 

5) Indiana: Really want to put them at 3 but too many question marks. I think X and Mackenzie will be awesome. Too much talent to not be up here. 

6) Illinois: Terrence Shannon is probably the 2nd best player in the conference. I think Hawkins is extremely overrated. Lack of PG puts them here. 

7) Northwestern: Buie is a very good player but Audige was just as important. They may be a fringe NCAA Tournament team. Had a lot of luck last year.

8) Ohio State: Really young team. Relying on Fr and So. Thornton and Gayle could breakout. 

9) Iowa: Seem to always be in the mix for the tournament but this year feels different without a Garza or Murray. 

10) Rutgers: Had the worst offseason of anyone in the Big Ten. Omoruyi is probably a top 3 big man in this conference. Just lack of talent outside of him. 

11) Michigan: Solid transfer from Tennessee. A few breakout candidates. Just think Howard is not the answer there. 

12) Penn State: interesting team. Love Baldwin. Not sure if they have much else. A lot of transfers from some big name programs. 

13) Nebraska: Tominaga going off is their best chance to win games. Rough year in Lincoln. 

14) Minnesota: Garcia is all they have. Lots of transfers. 

Awards

Big Ten POY: Edey

Big Ten POY not named Edey: Shannon Jr

Big Ten FOY: Mackenzie Mgbako

Big Ten COY: Mike Woodson

All Conference

1st Team: Tyson Walker, Jahmir Young, Terrence Shannon, Julian Reese (my "breakout player"), Zach Edey

2nd Team: Boo Buie, Xavier Johnson, Chucky Hepburn, Jamison Battle, Clifford Omoruyi

3rd Team: AJ Hoggard, Fletcher Loyer, DeShawn Harris-Smith, Mackenzie Mgbako, Olivier Nkamhoua 

Hon: I think Reneau will be honorable mention. I feel awful for saying this, I just don't have the best feeling about Kel'el Ware..

Tournament

 Michigan State I think is a Final Four/Elite 8 caliber team. Purdue, I am just not buying the hype. I think Sweet 16. Maryland is a legit top 25 team. 2nd Round/Sweet 16 potential. Wisconsin and IU I think are teams that can win a game, 2 at the most. Illinois is an 8/9 kind of team. Northwestern and Ohio State just sneak in. 

Edey stubs his big toe, out multiple games, PU craters and finishes dead last. @Stuhoo has to take of leave of absence having injured a rib from laughing so hard at PU. 

Outside of that, good breakdown :)

[Stuhoo]

10 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Edey stubs his big toe, out multiple games, PU craters and finishes dead last. @Stuhoo has to take of leave of absence having injured a rib from laughing so hard at PU. 

Outside of that, good breakdown :)

Preach on, brother-man.

Preach on.

[Hoosier987]

I think we have a very high ceiling. This is Woodson’s third year…I’d like to continue the upward trajectory and make it to the 2nd weekend. With our potential…I believe we can…which could set us up nicely for a big year in 2024!

[Rico]

Wisconsin was NOT playing well at the end of the year.  Unless you count the NIT.

[Stuhoo]

1) Indiana. Best coach, best talent pool. Tough pre-season will prepare them. Pretty reasonable strength of schedule.

2) MSU. Deep and great guards.

3) Wisky—experienced with good portal-ers 

4) Purdue— for all the wins they accumulate before Edey or Smith get hurt. If either does they screwed.

5) Ohio State— talent + easiest conf schedule 

6) Northwestern—Plenty returning + easy schedule 

7) Maryland—no better than last year.

8) Illinois— no point guard and toughest conference schedule 

9) Michigan— meh

10) Nebraska—A continuation of last year.

11) Iowa— Talent level is down. Fran finally goes on the hot seat 

12) Rutgers—crappy guards

13) PSU— not much there

14) Minnesota— blecchhhh

[WayneFleekHoosier]

1. Michigan State. Love their guards. Wishful thinking they can overcome Edey

 

2. Purdue. An Edey injury would push them to 9th. But he’s a house and a hockey player won’t get injured.

 

3. Indiana. Why not? Talent alone. Guards and depth scare me a bit

 

4. Maryland. I really like DHS, Reese, and Young. Other pieces too.

 

5. Illinois. Gritty coach. Hawkins, Dainja, Shannon. Chemistry issues?

 

6. Ohio State. Lots of talent. I expect they win some of close ones they lost last year.

 

7. Wisconsin. Same team. A year older. Storrs. 3-7 seem like a fight and mostly a toss up.

 

8. Michigan. Enough talent. Bad coach.

 

9. Iowa. Fran always finds dudes.

 

10. Rutgers. Great Coach. Cliff O will be a beast.

 

11. PSU. Count me as liking those transfers. No slouch.

 

12. Northwestern. I’m not impressed. Overachieved last year. Lost their better guard.

 

13. Nebraska. Meh.

 

14. Minnesota. BAD

 

 

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[HoosierFan1994]

1 hour ago, Hoosier987 said:

I think we have a very high ceiling. This is Woodson’s third year…I’d like to continue the upward trajectory and make it to the 2nd weekend. With our potential…I believe we can…which could set us up nicely for a big year in 2024!

Agree. My expectation is to be a top 25ish team, finish top 4/5 in Big Ten, make at least the B1G Semi's and NCAA 2nd round. I will be very upset if this team is a bubble team again. That means we took a huge step back. But yes, if they can duplicate what they did last year, maybe win a B1G regular season title and/or tournament and another game in the NCAAT that will be massive. 

Talent wise IU I think has a top 2/3 roster in the Big Ten. Just lots of new pieces. As I said, while I love the addition, I'm just not as high on Kel'el as most are. 

[Scotty R]

1) PU 

2) MSU 

3) OSU 

4) IU 

5) UI

6) Maryland 

7) Iowa  

8) UW

9) Rutgers

10) UM

11) NW

12) PSU

13) Neb. 

14) Minnesota 

[realTomCrean]

I don't have a prediction, but I will say that I am excited to see Woodson's offense with players that fit his style now. IU is an unknown to all media, fans, and opposing coaches now without TJD. Gunn, Ware, Sparks, Mack, Cupps, Banks, Walker.. a lot of talented unknown personnel as well. GO HOOSIERS

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Eye on CBS did their prediction podcast this week.  Gary Parrish tried roasting Indiana for the entire episode.  Norlander had IU 9th and in the NIT, Parrish had us 7th or 8th and in the NCAA. 

Winning and shutting up these fools would be very nice!  

[Hoosierfan1901]

1. Indiana

2. That is all

Joking aside, IU will likely be in the 4-10 range this season in the standings. Lots of potential for this team, but also a good amount of question marks too. Hopefully we have a great season!

[HoosierHoopster]

19 hours ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

1. Indiana

2. That is all

Joking aside, IU will likely be in the 4-10 range this season in the standings. Lots of potential for this team, but also a good amount of question marks too. Hopefully we have a great season!

That's where I am. For me it's impossible to pick IU's B1G standing now with so many unknowns.

We have the talent, athleticism, size, shooting, and both guard and frontcourt experience to be a dangerous team.

On the other hand, we're thin at guard, we have backcourt guys who play physical games and get injured, we're an injury or two away from falling fast, we have a potential lotto-first round player from whom we really don't know what to expect, and 'pieces' who we haven't even seen play together. 

I'm a glass half full guy, and think we're going to end up a good team, but where in the pack, no idea at this point.

[Stuhoo]

41 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

That's where I am. For me it's impossible to pick IU's B1G standing now with so many unknowns.

We have the talent, athleticism, size, shooting, and both guard and frontcourt experience to be a dangerous team.

On the other hand, we're thin at guard, we have backcourt guys who play physical games and get injured, we're an injury or two away from falling fast, we have a potential lotto-first round player from whom we really don't know what to expect, and 'pieces' who we haven't even seen play together. 

I'm a glass half full guy, and think we're going to end up a good team, but where in the pack, no idea at this point.

Not picking on you HH, but you bring up the point that we're thin at guard.

Yet Purdud, who is most commonly picked as the top team, has only one guard on the roster (Smith) who has played the point. He is backed up by 6'1" Lance Jones, a DeVonte Green clone who transferred in from Illinois State. Jones started his whole career at ISU and in 30 mpg has averaged 2.4 assist to 2.7 turnovers. That's really bad and the stats for an undersized two guard, not a point. Supposedly a good defender, but also a crappy shooter on volume.

So it's not just an Edey injury that could seriously screw up their season; at least we have a four star freshman pure point guard and Gallo as other options.

[Stuhoo]

20 hours ago, Hoosierfan1901 said:

1. Indiana

2. That is all

Joking aside, IU will likely be in the 4-10 range this season in the standings. Lots of potential for this team, but also a good amount of question marks too. Hopefully we have a great season!

No need to joke;  absent roster decimating injuries, we're gonna win the B1G this year. 

[HoosierHoopster]

3 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

Not picking on you HH, but you bring up the point that we're thin at guard.

Yet Purdud, who is most commonly picked as the top team, has only one guard on the roster (Smith) who has played the point. He is backed up by 6'1" Lance Jones, a DeVonte Green clone who transferred in from Illinois State. Jones started his whole career at ISU and in 30 mpg has averaged 2.4 assist to 2.7 turnovers. That's really bad and the stats for an undersized two guard, not a point. Supposedly a good defender, but also a crappy shooter on volume.

So it's not just an Edey injury that could seriously screw up their season; at least we have a four star freshman pure point guard and Gallo as other options.

PU is overrated, and really because of Frankenstein returning (as I said bf the draft, he’s not an NBA player). 
Thing is we are thin at guard. Need X and Gallo to stay healthy. I like Cupps upside and think he’ll earn minutes, and will bring solid pg play. But yeah, we’re thin in the backcourt and with guys who have injury history.

Still think we surprise this season 

[HoosierHoopster]

3 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

No need to joke;  absent roster decimating injuries, we're gonna win the B1G this year. 

Undefeated, IU now the only team to go the distance undefeated— twice!

[Stuhoo]

15 hours ago, HoosierHoopster said:

Undefeated, IU now the only team to go the distance undefeated— twice!

Not undefeated at all—plenty of sadness in the non-conference ... and then awesome B1G season.