2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Northwestern

I know John Shurna looks like he should be starring
for his high school J.V. team but the guy can really ball.
Too bad he plays defense like there's no foul limit. You get five, man. Just five.

Head Coach: Bill Carmody – 160-176 (.476)

Lost: G Michael Thompson, G Mike Capocci

Returning:  F John Shurna (Sr), G Drew Crawford (Jr), C Luka Mirkovic (Sr), G JerShon Cobb (So), G Alex Marcotullio (Jr), F Davide Curletti (Sr)

New faces:   SG Tre Demps, PG David Sobolewski, PF Mike Turner

Preview: Will this be the year the Wildcats finally make the Big Dance? Losing Michael Thompson is really going to hurt but the good news is the rest of their core is returning.  Northwestern’s strengths are good strengths: low turnover rate, excellent 3-point shooting, and a top-notch overall offensive efficiency which stems from their distinct style of play that can be difficult to prepare for. Unfortunately, their flaws are glaring and often debilitating. The team was opportunistic in forcing turnovers but simply could not stop their opponents from scoring. Last season the NCAA average FG% was 47.8 but when playing Northwestern, opponents shot 52.6%. Furthermore, their post players have a tendency to pick up lots of cheap fouls. A deep team can overcome this.  Northwestern, however, is not a deep team.  Fixing one of these two would flaws would seem to be enough to push Northwestern into the upper half of the conference but it doesn’t seem Carmody or this group players are able to improve on the defensive side of the ball. The starting five (Shurna, Crawfrod, Mirkovic, Cobb, and one player to bedetermined) should at least continue last season’s offensive fireworks.  And as long as Northwestern stays efficient on the offensive end they’ll have a chance for upsets.  Alas, it seems the NCAA window has passed this team by without them making an appearance.

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

G Drew Crawford

G JerShon Cobb

G Alex Marcotullio

F John Shurna

C Luka Mirkovic

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Nebraska

Brandon Richardson's excellent defense will fit right in
the Big Ten. Unfortunately for the Huskers, there will be
no more conference games against Colorado.

Coach: Doc Sadler – 89-70 (.560)*

Lost: G Lance Jeter

Returning:  C Jorge Brian Diaz (Jr), F Toney McCray (Sr), G Brandon Richardson (Sr), G Caleb Walker (Sr), G Drake Beranek (Sr), C Andre Almeida (Sr), F/C Brandon Ubel (Jr), G Eshaunte Jones (Jr), G Ray Gallegos (Jr)

New faces: G Bo Spencer (transfer), PG Corey Hilliard, SF Josiah Moore, SF David Rivers, SG Dylan Talley

*Sadler's career record in the Big 12

Preview: Nebraska may not fare as well in the Big Ten as they did in the Big 12 but they’re no pushover either. With nine(!) upper classmen the Huskers are an experienced bunch that is perfect for exploring unchartered territory (ie: The Big Ten and it’s raucous venues).  They play a methodical style (63.6 possessions) that was the second slowest in the Big 12 but should fit right in the BIG.  This team was an awful bunch at shooting threes and getting to the line last season but they do have one thing going for them: size.  Led by 6’11” Jorge Brian Diaz, 6’10” Brandon Ubel, and the underrated (but overweight) 6’11” Andre Almeida the Huskers have a formidable front-court that could cause teams problems.  These three helped Nebraska finish sixth in the nation last season at limiting opponent’s second chances on the glass. Guard play appears to be an issue especially now that Lance Jeter has graduated.  Caleb Walker seems the most likely candidate to pick up the slack but the team would love for one of the incoming freshmen to step up into a starting role. Adding a bit of intrigue to the team is transfer Bo Spencer. Spencer was a good player at LSU but not a star. If he can play like he did as a sophomore then the Huskers may be on to something here.  Nebraska picked the perfect year to switch to the Big Ten. The conference lost a number of upper classmen making this year’s Huskers the most experienced team.  It wouldn’t be a shock if they finish as high as sixth but a bottom half finish is more likely.

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

G Brandon Richardson

G Caleb Walker

G Bo Spencer

F Brandon Ubel

C Jorge Brian Diaz

Bring Clarity Soon (BCS) - 11/6/11

The new "Game of the Century" didn't disappoint in intensity, but 15 points scored over 60 minutes of football is definitely disappointing for the casual CFB fan. So I think everyone will agree that LSU and Bama have positioned themselves for a BCS National Championship rematch IF the other major players falter. And sadly, I think they will. Which means we're headed for our 6th (?!) straight SEC representation as national champion.

Oh, and Nebraska disappoints me every time I put them anywhere near that top 10.

I need a drink.

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Minnesota

Trevor Mbakwe is the best rebounder in the BIG and
quite possibly the country. His skills around the basket
will keep Minnesota in hunt for a NCAA bid.

Head Coach: Tubby Smith – 80-53 (.602)

Lost:  SG Blake Hoffarber, G Al Nolen, C Colton Iverson (transfer)

Returning: F Trevor Mbakwe (Sr), C Ralph Sampson III (Sr), F Rodney Williams (Jr), PG Chip Armelin (So), PG Austin Hollins (So), G Maverick Ahanimisi (So), PF Maurice Walker (So), F Oto Osenieks
New faces:  SG Joe Coleman(121), SG Andre Hollins(110), PG Julian Welch(transfer)

Preview: Last season’s team was a tale of two halves.  The team started off 11-1 including neutral court wins over North Carolina and West Virginia. Then the wheels came off. Devoe Joseph, disgruntled with his role in the offense, unexpectedly quit and decided to transfer. Starting PG Al Nolen broke his foot in January and didn’t return in time to finish the season. After a five game winning streak in January, the Gophers finished 1-10 down the stretch to eliminate themselves from NCAA consideration. What a rough end for Hoffarber, maybe the best pure shooter in Minnesota history.  So what should expectations be for Tubby’s team in 2011-12?  The Gophers are going to continue to be a force in the paint with the Mbakwe (the nation’s premiere offensive rebounder) and Ralph Sampson III.  Where the team will be hurting is along the perimeter.  There’s not a single player on this team who should scare opponents from 3-point range.  Rodney Williams, despite NBA buzz due to his ridiculous athletic ability, will need to finally become a decent basketball player and someone out of Chip Armelin, Julian Welch, and Austin Hollins will need to improve by leaps and bounds in all areas of their game in order for this team to be more than middle of the pack. The biggest question, fair or not, is if the Gophers have another disappointing season will Tubby Smith be willing to stick around and attempt to right the ship or will he head off for greener pastures?

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

G Austin Hollins

G Andre Hollins

SF Rodney Williams

PF Trevor Mbakwe

C Ralph Sampson III

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Michigan St.

Coach: Tom Izzo – 383-161 (.704)

Lost: G Kalin Lucas, F Delvon Roe (retired), G Darrell Summers, G Mike Kebler, F Garrick Sherman

Returning:  F Draymond Green (Sr), G Korie Lucious (Sr), PG Keith Appling (So), F Derrick Nix (Jr), F Adreian Payne (So), G Austin Thornton (Jr),

Draymond Green is a joy to watch and is hands down
the most versatile player in the Big Ten.

New faces: SG Brandon Wood (transfer), SF Branden Dawson(20), PG Travis Trice, SG Dwaun Anderson(95), SG Brandan Kearney(127), F Russell Byrd (Redshirt)

Preview: Last season is likely considered the most disappointing season in MSU history. A year after making the Final 4 with largely the same team, Michigan St. finished in the middle of the pack in the conference and squeaked into the NCAAs as a 10 seed where they were bounced in the first round by UCLA.  Luckily for Izzo there’s plenty of new talent on hand to replace the four starters he lost.  The heart and soul of this team is PF Draymond Green.  Green is one of the most versatile players you’ll find; at 6’6” 235 lbs he’s able to bang with the big boys (he finished 56^th nationally in defensive rebound rate) and step outside and drain a perimeter shot (36.6 3-point % last year).  He’s also an excellent defender and good ball handler. Joining him in the starting lineup will likely be Derrick Nix who after two years finally seems to be in shape. Nix is tough to handle on the block but really offers little else on the offensive end.  His partner in crime is fellow big man Adreian Payne. Unfortunately these two combined to make only 51% of their free throws.  Izzo will look to sophomore Keith Appling to run the point and although he struggled last year he has the skills to be a big time player in the BIG.  Valpo transfer Brandon Wood is an excellent find by Izzo and should start right away and incoming guards Brandan Kerney and Dwaun Anderson may have their moments.  But the true star is likely freshman Branden Dawson. Dawson can light up the gym on any given night but will need to focus defensively if he’s going to be great.  Izzo has the pieces to have an excellent season but does he have the depth?  Either way things should be better than last year.

Shot in the dark at starting the 5:

PG Keith Appling

SG Brandon Wood

SF Branden Dawson

PF Draymond Green

C Derrick Nix

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Michigan

Coach: John Beilein – 67-67 (.500)

Lost:  G Darius Morris

Returning:  G Tim Hardaway Jr, (So), G/F Zack Novak (Sr), G Stu Douglass (Sr),  F Jordan Morgan (So), F Evan Smotrycz (So), F Jon Horford (So), G Matt Vogrich (Jr), F Blake McLimans (Jr)
New faces:  SG Carlton Brundidge(106), PG Trey Buke(142), PF Max Bielfeldt

Tim Hardaway, Jr. performed beyond
Michigan's wildest dreams last year.
Now that expectations have been
raised can he do it again?

Preview:  It’s too bad Darius Morris left for the NBA because if he had stayed one more year in Ann Arbor there would be a lot of talk about how this team could challenge Ohio St. for the Big Ten title.  Now it’s Tim Hardaway’s team and his continued improvements last season make me believe he’s up for the challenge.  A 6’5” guard, Hardaway has a nice outside shot but excels in drawing contact penetrating to the rim.  Hardaway will need to improve his efficiency though if the Wolverines are going to be successful in March. Seniors Zack Novak and Stu Douglass are perfect role players, doing the little things such as rebounding and guarding the opponent’s top player that help take the pressure off the younger guys.  Three of the aforementioned young guys are Jordan Morgan, Evan Smotrycz, and freshman Max Biefeldt who the team expects will bring a presence on the blocks.  Point guard duties will likely fall to Trey Buke, a promising recruit with excellent ball handling skills and a better three point shot than Darius Morris.  Michigan will continue to employ their crazy offense; relying heavily on threes (36.9% of Michigan’s points came on three pointers last season), this team is loaded in guys who will make you pay for leaving them open. Defensively, the Wolverines run a variety of looks including zone and a 1-3-1 which is either highly effective or worthless.  Beilein’s squads have made marked improvement in his time in Ann Arbor and I don’t think this year will be any different.

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

PG Trey Buke

G Tim Hardaway, Jr

G Stu Douglass

F Zak Novak

F Jordan Morgan

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Iowa

Melsahn Basabe was an absolute force last year. Hawkeye fans
should thank their lucky stars he followed McCafferey to Iowa City.

Coach: Frank McCaffery – 11-20 (.355)

Lost:  F Jarryd Cole, PG Cully Payne (transfer)

Returning: G Matt Gatens (Sr), F Melsahn Basabe (So), G Bryce Cartwright (Sr), G Eric May (So), F Zach McCabe (So), F Andrew Brommer (Sr), F Devon Archie (Sr), G Roy Devyn Marble (So)

New faces:  SG Josh Oglesby(122),  C Gabe Olaseni, PF Aaron White

Preview: Last year the Hawkeyes showed drastic improvements in McCafferey’s first season. Unfortunately they still finished 4-14 in the Big Ten and their second best player graduated.  There’s plenty to like about the future though.  Bryce Cartwright is an exciting player who led the conference in assists per game and Eric May showed flashes of being a reliable complimentary player.  What’s got to get you excited if you’re a Hawkeye fan is the how this year’s recruiting class is shaping up.  No, it’s not a top 10 class but it is leaps and bounds better than the ones brought in by Todd Lickliter. Aaron White and sharpshooter Josh Oglesby may start from the get-go while Gabe Olaseni offers a nice developmental player who should make an impact as an upper classman.  Furthermore, Melsahn Basabe was the first or second best freshman in the conference last season and was at times unstoppable (vs. OSU last year he put up 22-13 and 6 blocks while guarding Jared Sullinger). He’s a future All Big Ten player in the making.  This program is definitely moving in the right direction but it’s still at least two years away from making an NCAA Tournament appearance.  That’s really too bad for Matt Gatens who is a heck of a player but is underrated due to having been on some awful teams. Gatens suffered from Lickliter’s offensive style and was constantly misused due to having no other impact player on the floor with him for two years.  Here’s to hoping for a breakout season from the hometown senior.

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

PG Bryce Cartwright

G Matt Gatens

G Josh Oglesby

F Aaron White

F Melsahn Basabe

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Indiana

Coach: Tom Crean – 28-66 (.298)

Lost:  G Jeremiah Rivers, G Maurice Creek (injured)

Returning: F Christian Watford (Jr), G Jordan Hulls (Jr), F Tom Pritchard (Sr), G Verdell Jones III (Sr), G Victor Oladipo (So), F Will Sheehy (So), F Bobby Capobianco (Jr), F Derek Elston (Jr), G Matt Roth (Sr), G Daniel Moore (Sr)

New faces: F/C Cody Zeller(15), SG Remy Abell, SF Austin Etherington

Cody Zeller is already the big man on campus and
he hasn't even played a game yet. Oh, fickle IU fans.

Preview: While head coach Tom Crean wasn’t given much to work with initially, his tenure has been underwhelming to say the least.  Characterized by underperforming (overrated?) recruits, Indiana has taken a firm backseat to instate rivals Purdue and Butler.  Fortunately for Crean this may be the year Indiana pulls themselves out of the doldrums of the Big Ten and into NCAA bubble consideration.  Before the season even began the Hoosiers realized they will be without dynamic guard Maurice Creek.  As tough as it is to lose such a good player, this injury may turn out to be a blessing in disguise in the long run for the program. Freshmen Victor Oladipo and Will Sheehy were both effective players last season but neither averaged more than 20 minutes a game.  Now each of these two should offer nice compliments to the team’s best player Christian Watford.  Additionally, IU hopes to benefit greatly with the addition of freshman big man Cody Zeller who coaches (and the national media) say will make an impact in the post immediately.  Also returning is Jordan Hulls a Damon Bailey type guard who can shoot the lights out but is a little too small and slow to be utilized when his shot’s not falling.  It’s hoped the younger players will improve enough to allow Hulls to become more of a role player and less a focal point on the offensive end. With success in this regard the Hoosier offense could be lethal. But the biggest issues this team has in the upcoming season lie on the defensive end.  Indiana allowed opponents to make over 36% of their three point attempts and allowed opponents to shoot free throws on over half of their field goal attempts which ranked 333 out of 345 Division I programs.  A year of growth should enable IU to improve enough in this area otherwise it will be off to the NIT.

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

G Jordan Hulls

G  Victor Oladipo

F Will Sheehy

F Christian Watford

F Cody Zeller

Boise State: FTW or FML?

Boise State has once again found themselves in the enviable position of being a BCS-buster and "Top 5" College Football program. Okay, so the second part of that statement is a stretch, but they do find a way to get this little school from the Gem State into major media outlets each Autumn. And barring any unforeseen upsets, they will once again crack the NCAA Football elitist train wreck known as the BCS this January.

I'm going to assume you know enough about Boise State to know that their field is blue, they like to run trick plays, and none of the major contenders want to play them. But let's talk about how the Broncos could maybe possibly get to the apex that has eluded them for the past ten-plus years of dominating the Pacific Northwest in college football.

2011-12 BIG Basketball Preview: Illinois

Brandon Paul will be All Big 10 this year. Mark it down.

Head Coach: Bruce Weber – 193-86 (.692)

Lost:  G Demetri McCamey, C Mike Tisdale, F Mike Davis, F Bill Cole, G/F Jereme Richmond

Returning: G Brandon Paul (Jr), G DJ Richardson (Jr), C Meyers Leonard (So), F Tyler Griffey (Jr), G Crandall Head (So), G Joe Bertrand (RS So)

New faces: PG Tracy Abrams(58), C Nnanna Egwu(97), SF Michael Henry(39), PF Mike Shaw(59), SF Devin Langford, C Ibrahima Djimde, G Brad Maniscalco (transfer)

Preview: The Fighting Illini lost four seniors who made up the core of their team the past four seasons as well as the highly intriguing G/F Jereme Richmond who declared for the NBA draft but was not selected.  Now it’s time for Juniors Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson to step up. As dysfunctional as the team was last season I think most Illini fans will agree with me when I say the team ran more smoothly when these two were on the floor. Both can go nuts from 3 on any given night though improving consistency from long range should be a point emphasis. Paul is the more dynamic player and Weber will probably look to use him as the center of the offense utilizing his playmaking ability. The team will hope Tyler Griffey can add some strength in order to help him bang more down low and sophomore seven-footer Myers Leonard will need to improve by leaps and bounds as he couldn’t have been more raw last season.  The incoming talent is really incredible but if they don’t gel better than last season’s senior class Bruce Weber’s time in Champaign will end before their graduation. It’s NCAA Tournament or bust for this team.

Shot in the dark at the starting 5:

PG Brandon Paul

G DJ Richardson

F Tyler Griffey

F Mike Shaw

F Nnanna Egwu