TBrown's 4th Annual Conference Projections
This is my fourth year doing the projections however, it's the first time I have done so since March of 2011. I was at Illinois, Tanzetti was at Indiana, and Zdawg spent a few seasons at Northwestern. A lot has happened since then. Coaches have come and gone, after 14 seasons at Illinois, and not being able to win a National Title, I decided to go to Georgetown. In my fifth season as the Hoyas coach, I won a National Title, my second in the Knight World. After one more year at Georgetown I left for a Duke team that had gone 5-22 the year before, and very little talent. I thought I was up for the task of rebuilding a powerhouse and I was but then we had baby number #1. That completely through Whatif to the backburner. I spent 6 seasons at Duke and then decided that I was going to be done, and didn't renew. However, Tanzetti actually talked me into taking over his dream school, Michigan. So I did, and spent the past 15 seasons in Ann Arbor. Then, I thought I was about to retire again because baby #2 and Tanzetti again talked me into staying and taking over our dream schools. So I went to Penn State and now he's in Ann Arbor and Zdawg is in Minnesota. So in what has been about three actual years, coaches have come and gone from the Big Ten and some coaches have made full circles back. Well enough small talk, lets get to the projections.
East
1. Michigan State- This is really a toss up between the Spartans and the Badgers. It could go either way, it's really 1a and 1b. However, the Sparty's appear to have a few more upperclassmen so I gave the edge to joehof here.
2. Wisconsin- JC has the Badgers loaded and primed for a deep run yet again.
3. Minnesota- Really from 3-6 anything could shake out. However, I like the Gophers this year since they returned all 12 guys from a season ago. Zdawg is hopeful for a National Tourny bid.
4. Michigan- My old ball club, they have solid, fast guards that will make things difficult in the press, but it will be interesting to see how things go down low for the Wolverines as they do not have too many guys who can rebound.
5. Iowa- The Hawkeyes have an interesting mix of youth and experience. If they can gel right away this is a team that could sneak into the big dance, and easily finish third in the East.
6. Notre Dame- Taylor came in right away and made the PI, so things are looking up for the Irish, I'm just not sure that they have enough this year to battle in the East. However, a PI birth is definitely in the cards.
West
1. Illinois- Very similar to the East this is a 1a and 1b type of thing with mad and manonde having the clear top teams, giving the edge to the illini tho.
2. Indiana- The Hoosiers have a very nice team and are Pre-Season ranked 24th, so big things are expected.
3. Ohio State- CP lost out on his top target in recruiting, but that shouldn't hurt him too much this year. He still has several solid players to help the Buckeyes finish third in the West.
4. Penn State- I think 4-6 can go any which way, however I think my Lions have solid core of guys. It will be interesting to see how the team handles the redshirting of arguably our best player, Gilbert Kingsley, to help them out next year when the Lions will return 11 guys. I'm hopeful for a PI birth this season.
5. Purdue- I think the Boilers are a year away from making more noise in the West, I really liked Roy Anderson the center from OH that mike brought in. If not for finding Doty my ineligible I was going to make a run at him.
6. Northwestern- The Wildcats are a post dominated team, that arguably rebounds with anyone in the country. If they can out rebound teams and bully them down low in the post, this is a team that could be tough to beat. Even though I've picked them 6th in the West, Ces, could easily finish 4th.
6/23/2014 3:43 PM (edited)