Basketball Time, Kiddies

It is probably about time to give my quick take on the upcoming season and give my early nominations for conference player, coach, and defensive player of the year.

I'll start by evaluating where I think the teams rank in terms of talent and where I think the teams will finish.

Talent:
1. MSU
2. Purdue
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Minnesota
6. Northwestern
7. Illinois
8 Penn State
9. Indiana
10. Wisconsin
11. Iowa

Finish:
1. Purdue
2. MSU
3. Ohio State
4. UM
5. Minnesota
6. Wisconsin
7. Illinois
8. Northwestern
9. Indiana
10. Penn State
11.
12. Iowa

Iowa is going to be really, really, painfully bad. They seriously could lose every game in conference unless some kid comes out of nowhere to provide about 35 points per game.

Wisconsin will overachieve with senior guards. Indiana will be much improved. Tubby will have Minny ready to play and there is plenty of guard leadership. Illinois, I don't know what will happen there. Ohio State will be a tough, versatile team. I don't see much consistency but I see spurts of frustratingly hot offense and stingy defense.

As the 3 pt ball goes, so go Northwestern and Michigan. Although, Michigan will have some experienced go to players and could decide the B10 with a few upsets. Northwestern adds a talented true freshman from Chi in Drew Crawford to help Coble (who appears to have injured his foot in practice, no indication of how badly). If healthy, NW will be an older than average team with a few decent pieces.

Player of the year: Evan Turner, OSU
Coach of the year: Painter, Purdue (for winning the conference)
Defensive player of the year: Kramer, Purdue or Johnson, Purdue
Jerk of the year: Bo diddly Ryan
Breakout POY: Roe, MSU
Freshman of the year: DJ Richardson, Ill

I see Purdue coming in with a chip on their shoulder and, more importantly, healthy. Purdue will take advantage of an injury riddled MSU team, inconsistent but talented UM and OSU teams, and hold off the upset teams of MN and NW. Purdue will be really good if JuJuan Johnson decides to be a complete player. He is a beast. If he decides to be a defensive stopper Purdue is legit. They lose a few in conference, 4 maybe, with likely losses against UM, Wisc, MSU, and perhaps a shocker to a pesky NW or PSU.

I see 5 legitimate sweet sixteen teams in the B10, including MSU, Purdue, OSU, MN, and UM. At least one more will likely get in, with Illinois or Northwestern being the most likely candidate. By seasons end, despite struggles and frustration due to injuries and a lack of chemistry early, MSU will still be the best, deepest, most experienced team. Plus the Izzo factor.