Prior to the start of the 2013-14 season there was at least some debate as to which conference, top to bottom, was the best — the ACC or the Big Ten. One needs to look no further than postseason success (after both conferences secured six NCAA tournament bids) to have that simple answer. The ACC had only one team left after the first weekend of the tournament, and that team (Virginia) fell in the regional semifinals — to Michigan State. Although Iowa, Ohio State and Nebraska all lost their first game played, Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin were three of the Elite Eight teams last season. Wisconsin continued on and advanced to the Final Four, losing there to Kentucky in the national semifinals. As if that wasn’t enough success, Minnesota added the NIT championship to the conference’s accolades, and both Illinois (NIT as well) and Penn State (CBI) joined their conference mates in postseason play, meaning 75% of the conference played on after the Big Ten tournament.
This season sees the Big Ten expand to 14 teams with the additions of Maryland from the ACC and Rutgers from the Big East/American. While odds are that the two newcomers will not be NCAA tournament teams (though Maryland could be in the hunt), the rest of the conference looks strong enough to exceed last year’s 6 bids, with 7 or even 8 a possibility. The odds-on favorite to win the conference, and a legitimate Final Four contender, is Wisconsin. The Badgers return the vast majority of last season’s Final Four team. Ohio State and Nebraska both appear loaded as well and are the most likely contenders to take the crown if the Badgers falter. Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa should all be serious contenders for NCAA tournament bids as well. Minnesota is getting a lot of preseason love from media sources, though quite frankly we here at HOOPS HD think they will struggle to meet expectations and are by no means an NCAA tournament lock.
One other team worth mentioning here is the Indiana Hoosiers. On paper, the talent level is there for this team to be in the hunt for a tournament bid with Yogi Ferrell leading the way and James Blackmon, Jr. coming in as one of the nation’s top recruits. However, the Hoosiers have also had no less than four separate instances in the past year involving players getting into off-court trouble with alcohol and/or drugs. Now it is a fact of life that underage college kids will party and drink, but when something as horrible and frankly idiotic as one player getting drunk, then getting behind the wheel of a car and running over his teammate occurs (and we wish all the best to Devin Davis as he recovers from his injuries), it leads to serious questions about the values being taught to the student-athletes, the leadership being demonstrated among teammates, and the intelligence of all involved*. In this writer’s humble opinion at least, those are virtues that need to come from the head coach and move down through the team. Certainly Tom Crean was not directly at fault for anything that happened — but one questions just how much he is teaching these kids about life off of the court. As far as the game on the court goes, these events also make one question whether this team has the leadership, camaraderie and intelligence to actually win games. Maybe the Hoosiers can put all this behind them and use it as a way to bond, grow up, and become a contender. One can only hope, because the last thing we ever want to hear about is college kids ending up in the hospital due to such utter stupidity.
* CORRECTION: The driver apparently was not legally drunk under Indiana law though there was alcohol in his blood (and he was underage and the appointed Designated Driver for the night). Devin Davis allegedly was so drunk he tried to jump onto the hood of a moving car. These facts change nothing in my opinion as to the lack of leadership and, quite frankly, the lack of brains on the train-wreck known as Indiana Hoosiers Basketball.
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Wisconsin: Frank Kaminsky, Traevon Jackson and Sam Dekker lead the way for this loaded team that should be the best in the conference.
2. Ohio State: Despite losing three players that averaged 9.8 points per game or more, the Buckeyes are reloading with the additions of Anthony Lee from Temple and perhaps the Big Ten’s best freshman, D’Angelo Russell.
3. Nebraska: The return of all five starters, including Terran Petteway and Shavon Shields, give the Cornhuskers a shot to not only return to the NCAAs, but actually advance this year.
4. Illinois: John Groce’s team looks ready to make that next step up towards the top of the conference standings. The Illini return all five starters including Rayvonte Rice and Tracy Abrams, plus add in Ahmad Starks, Leron Black and more.
5. Michigan: The Wolverines look to reload after losing three starters, but D.J. Wilson, Derrick Walton Jr., Zak Irvin and Caris LaVert will all help to pick up the slack and should have this team dancing again.
6. Michigan State: Branden Dawson and Denzel Valentine will need to step up, but never underestimate Tom Izzo’s ability to turn his weaker looking teams before the season into overachievers by the end.
7. Iowa: With Aaron White and Mike Gesell leading the way, and a good mix of talent both inside and out, the Hawkeyes look like they will be able to survive the loss of Roy Devyn Marble.
8. Minnesota: The Gophers seem to be loved by the media heading into the season, but to us they look like a team full of transfers and Jucos — and that won’t work in the Big Ten. That being said, Deandre Mathieu is the real deal and will be needed if the Gophers want to be in a better tournament than the NIT this year.
9. Maryland: Dez Wells is going to be tough for other teams to contain, but the Terps will need to find some other pieces to help him out if they want any shot at an NCAA bid.
10. Indiana: If not for the off court issues, the Hoosiers would be picked higher than this. Yogi Ferrell and freshman James Blackmon Jr. should form a top backcourt. If the team can come together and a frontcourt develops, the NCAA tournament is an achievable goal.
11. Northwestern: Chris Collins is starting to put together the young talent to finally get the Wildcats their first ever NCAA bid, but it probably won’t be this year.
12. Penn State: The combination of D.J. Newbill, Brandon Taylor and Ross Travis will make the Nittany Lions dangerous enough to pull off a few upsets.
13. Purdue: A.J. Hammons is legitimate, but the rest of the team appears to be too young to avoid a long season in West Lafayette.
14. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights will be introducing Big Ten teams to one of the toughest places for visitors to play — as many an old Big East foe knew. Myles Mack and Kadeem Jack can both light up the scoreboard and will be key if Rutgers wants to pull off a couple of shockers this year.