2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

[lonewolf371]

This year is looking to be a down year for the Big Ten compared to last year. Ohio State is the consensus top team, but after that there seems to be a log jam. A number of players that have "laid down the law" over the last few years (Kalin Lucas, E'Twaun Moore, JaJuan Johnson, Jon Leuer, etc.), so we should see some new stars emerge this year.

For discussion's sake (in case anyone actually sees this thread), this is CBS's predicted order of finish:

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

To me Michigan seems high, Purdue seems a little low. Part of me expects IU to do better, but the other part says they still have way too much ground to make up. I'm not sure Minnesota is in the same area as Nebraska, Iowa, and Penn State. There should be a fairly big drop-off from 9 to 10.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/conferences/previews/big-ten

[agte]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

I just hope the Hawkeyes are more consistant this year. Last year they had games where they were blown out by an average team, then they take a top team to the wire. Basabe should be tough to handle, he's gained about 30 pounds from last year I believe. I'm excited, I think they will raise a few eyebrows this season and hopefully finish above .500 for the first time since Alford was in town.....

[dunnyduns]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

I just hope the Hawkeyes are more consistant this year. Last year they had games where they were blown out by an average team, then they take a top team to the wire. Basabe should be tough to handle, he's gained about 30 pounds from last year I believe. I'm excited, I think they will raise a few eyebrows this season and hopefully finish above .500 for the first time since Alford was in town.....

If Basabe put on 30 pounds and is able to keep most of his explosiveness he will be a force. I was really impressed with Basabe as a freshman. He was a under little undersized for a power forward, so the 30 pounds should help that, but unfortunately there is no workout to make him grow 2-3 inches as well as that would take him to the next level. Still, I think Basabe takes the title over from Talor Battle as the best player in the Big Ten that nobody outside of the Big Ten has heard about.

[l3ulvl]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

Looking forward to Big 10 basketball this year.

(This simple message was brought to you by a guy so lazy he can't even simply click the "subscribe to this thread" option)

[buckeye02]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

Robby Humel is still on the team right? I want Indiana to return to form, they're like the Michigan football in basketball over the past few years.

Here's hoping for another B1G/ACC challenge victory.

[lonewolf371]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

Robbie Hummel is finally back this year. He had 24 points and 11 rebounds through 31 minutes of playing in exhibition, so he seems to be feeling better.

[loloben]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

If Trey Burke and Stu Douglass can play well, Michigan can contend for the Big 10. If they don't I see as the 4th or 5th best team in the Big 10.

[sven]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

Robbie Hummel is finally back this year. He had 24 points and 11 rebounds through 31 minutes of playing in exhibition, so he seems to be feeling better.

Hope he has a great season with 2 or 3 off games against Michigan.

[jake44np]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

I actually think Purdue is way too high.
They lost there inside game and didnt bring in anyone to replace it.
You just cant do that in the Big 10 ask IU.
IU has had decent gaurds the last few years but no inside game and has been terrible.
Everyone better get IU this year, they are going to be loaded next year!

[lonewolf371]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

I actually think Purdue is way too high.
They lost there inside game and didnt bring in anyone to replace it.
You just cant do that in the Big 10 ask IU.
IU has had decent gaurds the last few years but no inside game and has been terrible.
Everyone better get IU this year, they are going to be loaded next year!

You can do it, just ask 2007-2008 Purdue.

[jake44np]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

You can do it, just ask 2007-2008 Purdue.

Like i said IMO I just dont think Purdue is going to do much this year.
And the way Crean and Izzo are dominating recruiting in Indiana now I see a huge drop off for Purdue in the future.

[dunnyduns]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

Cody Zeller had a really nice debut tonight for IU. Zeller had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The most impressive Zeller play was when he made a steal and then took the ball almost baseline to baseline for a dunk. He runs the floor extremely well for his size. It was really nice to see a quality inside player on the court for IU after the last 3 years of having nothing inside.

[lonewolf371]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

Like i said IMO I just dont think Purdue is going to do much this year.
And the way Crean and Izzo are dominating recruiting in Indiana now I see a huge drop off for Purdue in the future.

You can think that, but your reasoning was off. 2007-2008 Purdue didn't have any inside game, and they were very successful. You can win without an inside game if your guards and put on good defensive pressure and you run a sound offense.

As for Indiana recruiting, we'll see when they get here. I don't have a problem with our '12 and '13 classes. Michigan State had better classes than us every year from '08 to '10 and IU had a top ten class in 2009. I'm confident in Painter getting us to continue to compete.

[jake44np]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

You can think that, but your reasoning was off. 2007-2008 Purdue didn't have any inside game, and they were very successful. You can win without an inside game if your guards and put on good defensive pressure and you run a sound offense.

As for Indiana recruiting, we'll see when they get here. I don't have a problem with our '12 and '13 classes. Michigan State had better classes than us every year from '08 to '10 and IU had a top ten class in 2009. I'm confident in Painter getting us to continue to compete.

We shall see.
I have read alot of articles lately how Painter is now losing the recruiting battles that he was winning a few years ago. I just dont see that much talent on Purdue's roster compared to past seasons.

[lonewolf371]

Re: 2011-2012 Big Ten Basketball

We shall see.
I have read alot of articles lately how Painter is now losing the recruiting battles that he was winning a few years ago. I just dont see that much talent on Purdue's roster compared to past seasons.

He has lost a few battles that he used to win. When he first got to Purdue he cleaned up the state by pulling in E'Twaun, Robbie, JaJuan, and Scott and he hasn't had a class like that since then. But part of that was because he had no support for himself, his assistants, or his program from the athletic department. The whole Mizzou fiasco was more about him forcing the athletic department to financially support Purdue basketball than for him to get a pay raise. Since he's won that battle, I think Purdue recruiting will pick up again. Our '13 class will be one of the best classes in the Big Ten, especially if we can steal Willis out of Kentucky. The '12 class isn't shabby, 16th in the country by Scout, 14th by ESPN, 23rd by Rivals and they all just signed.

This year the talent is definitely worse because we just lost two NBA players. Still, I'll be shocked if they don't finish in the top half of the Big Ten as Robbie is an All-American if he returns to form and I think we're one of the deepest teams in the Big Ten at guard. Lewis Jackson and Ryne Smith are both solid and Terone Johnson and Anthony Johnson should both make strides this year. The weakness, as you say, is inside and we don't have any guys to rack up the steals like Chris Kramer did in '07-'08.