A long while ago I posted my Big Ten 2011-2012 predictions. Well after looking at them recently knowing for certain whose still at their school and what each school is bringing in, recruiting classes, I’m more or less dumbfounded at who I picked to finish where. I gave some schools way too much credit and really slapped other teams in the face with my rankings. So, I’m here today to share my revised Big Ten 2011-2012 mens basketball predictions.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
I still think it’s hard to argue that the Buckeyes are going to fall off the top. Yeah so they’re losing one of the best 3 point shooters to ever play the game in Jon Diebler and a very solid defensive play in David Lighty. But, the Buckeyes are returning their two top scorers and are bringing in 5 freshman that all received a 91 or higher grade from ESPN, including 4 ESPNU 100 players! This team is going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. They play games for a reason so we’ll see how they do. Still expect high expectations from this squad as we all know Thad Matta is going to.
2. Wisconsin Badgers
I’ve moved Wisconsin up dramatically since my last rankings. The Badgers are losing two of their top three scorers from last season but Jordan Taylor was only .3 ppg away from being the leading scorer for the Badgers….as a point guard. Other than that the Badgers are bringing back a solid assortment of players including Josh Gasser, Mike Bruesewitz, and Ryan Evans. As well as their recruiting class that’s pretty decent. I don’t expect Wisconsin to lose many games at home this season, they do host the Buckeyes which will be very exciting to watch!
3. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines also received a very favorable boost since my last rankings. After looking over their roster and incoming freshman I realized Michigan didn’t lose much. Well, they lost Darius Morris but, are replacing him with Trey Burke. Burke is a freshman but has the ability to distribute the ball more than effectively. If you’re going to judge a player that hasn’t played yet at the point guard position look at Aaron Craft from Ohio State. True freshman last year for the Buckeyes. He was deadly and gave teams much difficulty. Michigan is also bringing in shooting guard Carlton Brundidge (I see Carlton and instantly think of Fresh Prince of Bellaire). Brundidge should be a valuable addition to the already decent shooting back court consisting of Zack Novak and Stu Douglas. The Wolverines are going to surprise a lot of basketball fans that are expecting the same old no good, pushover Wolverines. They’ll definitely be a fun team to watch!
4. Purdue Boilermakers
I’ve dropped Purdue down two spots. My reasoning? Simple, they lost two of Purdue’s all-time top 5 scorers! With JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore heading to the NBA due to graduating the Boilers are going to need some support players to step up big! Ryne Smith and D.J. Byrd to be exact. The Boilers do regain Robbie Hummel, whose been out due to knee injuries for most of the past two seasons. I look for Lewis Jackson and Terone Johnson to step up and pick up the scoring loads that were lost from a season ago. Defensively? I’m not worried about Purdue. They’ve always played tough, in your face, man-to-man defense that forces a ton of turnovers and I don’t see that changing any time soon. This season for the Boilermakers is filled with many many question marks. We’ll see how this squad performs but I still see them finishing with a moderate but successful season.
5. Indiana Hoosiers
Cody Zeller. IU's hot commodity
The Hoosiers also fall back a bit. Let’s be honest. IU can’t do any worse this season than they did last year. They’re not losing any of their top 5 scorers from last year and are bringing in an outstanding power forward Cody Zeller. Zeller should help the Hoosiers out defensively and should be a factor on the offensive end of the floor as well. Jordan Hulls returns and always seems to fire the Hoosiers up with his hustle play, which is underrated in my mind. I love hustle players that produce as well. I don’t see the Hoosiers going on the road to any of the top 4 on this list and beating them, except possibly Purdue due to their rivalry. Expect good, not great, things out of the Hoosiers this season. It’s almost a guarantee they’ll be much better than in seasons past. Cheer up Hoosiers and enjoy a good season!
6. Illinois Fighting Illini
Yes, I realize the Illini are loosing 3 out of 3 of their top scorers from last season. They’re also loosing Jereme Richmond to the draft. Richmond had a lot of talent and even more potential to become and Illinois great, but left early for the draft. This could hurt the Illini. However, Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson are coming back and look to lead this team. The Illini are also bringing in an NCAA top 15 recruiting class according to ESPN. This class includes 4 ESPNU 100 recruits. Not only are they ESPNU 100 recruits they also fill positions the Illini needed to fill! They’ll be tossed into the mix early but one can expect them to learn and handle it well. This will absolutely be more of a learning season for Illinois but it’ll still be more successful than the other half of the conference, no doubt.
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Gophers creep up just a little bit and possibly tie with Illinois or IU. I believe the former is bound to happen though. But, for this post I have them ranked at 7. Minnesota returns their leading scorer Trevor Mbakwe but lose Blake Hoffarber. Al Nolen is also gone from the mix but thankfully Ralph Sampson III is returning too. The Gophers are returning a decent lineup but are adding two ESPNU 100 incoming freshman. Both play shooting guard and should split Blake Hoffarber’s spot last season. They won’t be quite the leader Hoffarber was but they’ll split his scoring and be valuable 3rd option scorers. I still think the Gophers have much growing to do but think they’ll be alright this coming season.
8. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans dropped significantly from my last prediction post. I didn’t realize how many players Michigan State lost (Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Korie Lucious, Delvon Roe, and some others). The fore mentioned players were all valuable to the Spartans, and they still somehow accomplished underachieving dramatically last year. Tom Izzo is bringing in a small class as well, but it does include an ESPNU 100 shooting forward Branden Dawson. I predict it’s going to be a very stressful, learning season for the Spartans and their fans. What makes it worse is that it starts with the Carrier Classic against #1 ranked North Carolina on November 11! Get ready Spartan fans, this could be a long season for you.
9. Northwestern Wildcats
John Shurna will undoubtedly lead this team. With Michael Thompson gone whose going to fill the distraction + productive role for the Wildcats? Drew Crawford? Incoming freshman PG Tre Demps? Honestly I have no idea. I do know one thing though, Northwestern always seems to play teams extremely tough at home. Including an upset against Purdue a couple seasons ago. We’ll see how they finish but I don’t expect them to make the NCAA tournament but could see them having a presence in the NIT.
10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
They’re losing their top scorer from last season, Lance Jeter, who averaged 11.7 ppg. That’ll force Jorge Brian Diaz to step up and put up bigger numbers for the Cornhuskers. Losing 2 of their top 3 scorers + only a decent recruiting class + playing in a new conference = very moderate/disappointing season. I still like their odds compared to Penn State and Iowa though!
12. Iowa Hawkeyes and Penn State
I skipped to 12 because this is a tie to me. Both teams have very little talent returning from last season. The talent they do have returning can be great team leaders and producers but in this conference it takes more than just one guy for a team to finish high. Mix in the inexperienced incoming freshman and you have recipes for disaster. Again, I don’t have much hope for these two teams, unfortunately for Iowa and Penn State faithful. Even more unfortunate I’m probably correct with these assumptions.
predications. That would take forever given the boat load of teams in the Big East. Also, I’m doing this in hopes of hearing some comments and sparking a little more conversation on my blog. I want to hear what others think….that’s part of why I write! Without further ado here’s my Big East predictions!
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