Would be curious for other's takes here, but just my two cents as we roll into the official Big Ten season as to what the league looks like and where it will go:
Rankings:
1. Michigan State: As long as Winston holds up, this team will round into form and do what it does best. After last night's Illinois game, safe to say bigs are coming into shape
2. Michigan: Great start to the season down in the Bahamas, and showed well against Oregon. We'll learn a lot about these guys on the road again in Big Ten play Sunday at State. Otherwise, really like what they do defensively yet again.
3. Ohio State: Showed a lot of great promise to open the season. The WVU and Minnesota games to me exposed a lot of issues when key personnel get hurt. Hopefully can begin turning back into the top dog it should be this Big Ten season.
4. Maryland: Have looked pretty good in non-league play, but future outlook for them will come down to how they do at MSU and OSU in league play.
5. Purdue: Have proven they can beat the best in Virginia, but will struggle with depth issues the rest of the way.
6. Indiana: Beating Florida State showed me a lot out of the Hoosiers, as they could match up athletically. However, struggled to contain Arkansas and will be driven by their guards as to whether they win in-league or not. Jackson Davis has been real gem of team, but as I said, guards will dictate their fortunes.
7. Penn State: Along with Rutgers, I would vote these guys the most surprising team of 2020. Outside of getting rolled by OSU at full strength, they have looked the part of a top 25 ball-club.
8. Rutgers: Solid athletes, but feel like they can struggle at times with the ball. Defensive pressure will be an asset along with their depth, so look out for these guys. Nice W over Seton Hall to boot
9. Iowa: Scrappy group that as usual will make everyone's life in the Big Ten a living hell. No easy out with them, and can score when need to.
10. Wisconsin: A Jekyll and Hyde team by trade, have proven they can compete. However, not entirely sold on this team winning enough to make the dance.
11. Illinois: Showing signs of improvement under Brad Underwood, the Illini will be tough at home. Liked what they did vs Michigan, need to take it on the road in B10 play.
12. Minnesota: Very young team taking the floor and having to replace a lot of key veterans from last year's group. Jekyll will meet Hyde with this group and don't be shocked if they pick off a couple more W's here and there.
13. Nebraska: Tough sledding for Hoiberg, but is expected for him to take 2-3 years to develop. Will scrap for W's, but will be few and far between.
14. Northwestern: Any momentum established from the NCAA run has officially dried up with near-zero hope of it coming back. Collins may be developing a warm seat soon here.
NCAA Tournament Teams: Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, Indiana, Iowa, Penn State
NIT: Rutgers, Wisconsin, Illinois
Big Ten Tournament Winner: Ohio State if healthy
Best Wins for Big Ten NET/RPI/Perception Ratings (no order): Rutgers over Seton Hall, Michigan in Bahamas, Ohio State over Villanova, Purdue over Virginia, Iowa over Texas Tech
Worst Losses: Pick a Northwestern loss
In general, felt like teams 5-11 will go at each other full throttle and muddy the middle of the pack. The Big Ten I felt like did enough to get 7 bids comfortably as a conference if teams float around .500 in league play. Where the league will go from 7 up to 8-9 bids will be whether Rutgers and Penn State can score some big league wins at home, and opportunities both will have to do so.
Rankings:
1. Michigan State: As long as Winston holds up, this team will round into form and do what it does best. After last night's Illinois game, safe to say bigs are coming into shape
2. Michigan: Great start to the season down in the Bahamas, and showed well against Oregon. We'll learn a lot about these guys on the road again in Big Ten play Sunday at State. Otherwise, really like what they do defensively yet again.
3. Ohio State: Showed a lot of great promise to open the season. The WVU and Minnesota games to me exposed a lot of issues when key personnel get hurt. Hopefully can begin turning back into the top dog it should be this Big Ten season.
4. Maryland: Have looked pretty good in non-league play, but future outlook for them will come down to how they do at MSU and OSU in league play.
5. Purdue: Have proven they can beat the best in Virginia, but will struggle with depth issues the rest of the way.
6. Indiana: Beating Florida State showed me a lot out of the Hoosiers, as they could match up athletically. However, struggled to contain Arkansas and will be driven by their guards as to whether they win in-league or not. Jackson Davis has been real gem of team, but as I said, guards will dictate their fortunes.
7. Penn State: Along with Rutgers, I would vote these guys the most surprising team of 2020. Outside of getting rolled by OSU at full strength, they have looked the part of a top 25 ball-club.
8. Rutgers: Solid athletes, but feel like they can struggle at times with the ball. Defensive pressure will be an asset along with their depth, so look out for these guys. Nice W over Seton Hall to boot
9. Iowa: Scrappy group that as usual will make everyone's life in the Big Ten a living hell. No easy out with them, and can score when need to.
10. Wisconsin: A Jekyll and Hyde team by trade, have proven they can compete. However, not entirely sold on this team winning enough to make the dance.
11. Illinois: Showing signs of improvement under Brad Underwood, the Illini will be tough at home. Liked what they did vs Michigan, need to take it on the road in B10 play.
12. Minnesota: Very young team taking the floor and having to replace a lot of key veterans from last year's group. Jekyll will meet Hyde with this group and don't be shocked if they pick off a couple more W's here and there.
13. Nebraska: Tough sledding for Hoiberg, but is expected for him to take 2-3 years to develop. Will scrap for W's, but will be few and far between.
14. Northwestern: Any momentum established from the NCAA run has officially dried up with near-zero hope of it coming back. Collins may be developing a warm seat soon here.
NCAA Tournament Teams: Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, Indiana, Iowa, Penn State
NIT: Rutgers, Wisconsin, Illinois
Big Ten Tournament Winner: Ohio State if healthy
Best Wins for Big Ten NET/RPI/Perception Ratings (no order): Rutgers over Seton Hall, Michigan in Bahamas, Ohio State over Villanova, Purdue over Virginia, Iowa over Texas Tech
Worst Losses: Pick a Northwestern loss
In general, felt like teams 5-11 will go at each other full throttle and muddy the middle of the pack. The Big Ten I felt like did enough to get 7 bids comfortably as a conference if teams float around .500 in league play. Where the league will go from 7 up to 8-9 bids will be whether Rutgers and Penn State can score some big league wins at home, and opportunities both will have to do so.
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