Is the Big 10 one of the best of the conferences? Well, I would say that it falls 3rd in line, behind the ACC and the Big East.  Of course the Big East should be as strong as it is, since they have 250 of the 300+ teams in Division 1 basketball.  (Miz Note: don’t shortsell the Big East, sparty…you know they have more teams than that.)

What is it that makes Big 10 basketball one of the better conferences? You don’t realize how good it is until later in the season.  The Big 10 generally does very well as a conference once March roles along. The game typically slows down during Tourney time.  This puts Big 10 basketball at an advantage, since most teams from the conference play this style.  The officials do a good job in the tournament of letting the ticky tack calls go, allowing for more physical play.

Well, with that said, why haven’t we seen more champions and Final 4 participants from the Big 10? Well, probably because once you get to the Elite 8 or Final Four, you do need to be able to open it up a little bit and score.  The only team that has been able to put together the whole package consistently come championship basketball time has been Michigan State.  Whether you like it or not readers, this is the only premier basketball program in the Big 10.  But it is not like they haven’t had few participants.  MSU has been to 4 Final Fours since 1999 (winning it all in 2000), Ohio State has been to 2 (Finals appearance in 2007), and Illinois was in the title game in 2005.

It really seems like you are just completely bullshitting about the quality of the Big 10, true?

Tom Crean

Yes.  I do think they are the 3rd best conference, but there is a huge drop off from the Big East and the ACC.

So what has hurt the Big 10 from being on the same level? Coaching changes.  Besides Michigan State’s Tom Izzo and Wisconsin’s Bo Ryan, there have been several new coaches over the last few years.  Granted Bruce Weber took Illinois to the championship game a few  years ago; but he took the team that Bill Self built.  They have regressed each year since, unable to hold onto the big recruit; see Eric Gordon.  Purdue definitely turned it around last year, but was not it’s usual self for a few years before that because of Gene Keady stepping down.  Bobby Knight getting the boot kinda put Indiana in limbo, regardless of that one run they made with Mike Davis.  It looked like the ship had been righted under Kelvin Sampson, but he cheated like he does, and now they are going  be rebuilding themselves.  Tom Crean is the right man for the job there…more on them later. (Miz Note: What is this?  Sparty interviewing himself!?  I thought I was the only one around here that asked questions to myself in textual form and then answered myself for all to read?)

Overrated/Underrated:

Robbie Hummel

-Purdue
Sparty – Underrated.  This team may have more experienced young players than anyone else in the nation.  Led by preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, Robbie Hummel.  The team is welcoming back all of 5 starters from a  team that was 25-9 and 15-3 in conference play.  Granted, the majority of the national media has them winning the Big 10 title, but how can they be ranked only 11th and behind Michigan State?  Their ranking alone is why they are underrated.  That makes 0 sense.
Trey - Underrated. They are loaded with young talent and the corniest chant in sports. Seriously, the fab 3 Sophomores should carry this team deep into March, and maybe April.
Miz – Seven of their eight top scorers from last season are returning and just about everyone I can find has them pegged to win the conference. Therefore, overrated because I don’t think they’ll do it and their point guard is 5′-9″ and everybody knows you can’t play basketball unless your 6′-8″ or taller; so, they’re playing with four guys on the court.

-Michigan
Sparty - Just about right, for now. They obviously need to prove themselves, but I think this program is finally headed back in the right direction for the first time since they cheated themselves to their Fab Five Final Four appearances.  John Beilein had success at West Virginia with his zone defense and 3 point shooting, and I see no reason why that won’t work at Michigan.  They also have one of the best young PG in that nation with Manny Harris.  The guy scares me. He can single handily take over a game.  Oh look, they just upset UCLA.  Then again, the Pac 10 sucks.
Trey - Since Michigan has tried to emulate West Virginia, all of their programs have gone into the crapper. I think people underrate Michigan basketball though. I’m thinking they’re a strong postseason contender. NCAAs? No. NIT? No. College Basketball Invitational? Yes…(for those not familiar, that is the 3rd postseason tourney started last year)
Miz – Michigan will probably play spoiler several times this season by sneaking up on teams.  I don’t think they’ll be consistent enough to contend in the conference though. However, we’ll see with ballers like the league’s top returning scorer, Manny Harris, and their 7′-1″ (see…over 6′-8″) freshman, Ben Cronin, if he gets over that hip issue.  Not many people have them rated very high, so I’ll go with just right.

-Bo Ryan
Sparty - Overrated.  This may sound like sour grapes, because he has owned Izzo, but what exactly has he done come tourney time?  Oh yeah, lose.
Trey – Lets see. He looks like John Voight. Jon Voight is 1/2 of Angelina Jolie. Angelina Jolie is hot. So, Underrated. Seriously, he’s a great coach that doesn’t get enough cred for winning at a place that many wouldn’t.
Miz – Only four other schools have accomplished as many wins as ‘Sconsin over the past two years: Kansas, Memphis, UCLA, and North Carolina.  That’s pretty good company.  Underrated; sparty’s just bitter.

Big 10 Champion?

Kalin Lucas

Sparty- Split Champion.  Purdue and Michigan State.  These teams may only lose to one another in conference play. In fact, they should only lose to one another.   They are both that much better than anyone. The wild card is Ohio State.  Thad Matta has once again put together a solid recruiting class.  I just see the starting 5 of Purdue, along with the Kalin Lucas/Raymar Morgan led Spartans being too much for everyone else.
Trey – This under overrated/underrated? If so Overrated. Just messing, I’m gonna go with Ohio State, Matta has some real talent there; and remember, conference champ does not mean best come tourney time.
Miz – Michigan State…outright.  If Izzo can get his freshies and vets to work well together, they’ll likely run right through the conference. (Sparty Note: You know what, I like the way you think.  Yeah, MSU will win it outright.  Izzo would be the man I would want as my father if I didn’t have one.)

-Tournament Teams:
Sparty- Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan, and Indiana.  Yeah, I know that Indiana lost players, and is somewhat of a disarray, but Tom Crean is one of the best coaches in college basketball.  Wait and see.  The one team that could sneak in that is not on my list is Minnesota, because Tubby Smith is a really good coach.  Hey Kentucky, how is that working out for ya?  This has been hard not talking more about Michigan State and the greatest coach evAr in Tom Izzo. (Trey Note: Indiana? Seriously? They almost lost to EW E POO E)
Trey - Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. Sorry the Big 10 is top heavy, but drop off. (Sparty Note: Did you even read the preview?)
Miz – Purdue, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Penn State.  WHAAAAT!? Penn State?  Yes, because while I was researching the Big Televen, I discovered that the PSU head coach is none other than Ed DeChellis.  The same Ed DeChellis who coached my hometown ETSU Buccaneers and whose eldest daughter attended the same high school as me with four years.  Shout-out to the hometown peeps! (Trey Note: Ed DeChellis looks like Rob Cordry)

Previous S&F College B-Ball Conference Previews:
PAC 10
Big 12
SEC

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