FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman has released his Big Ten preview on the web site. One of the top storylines/questions he poses is whether or not IU will take "the next step back to respectability" this year with the addition of transfer Jeremiah Rivers and the six freshman.
He also listed Maurice Creek and Christian Watford among the five freshman to watch this season. As for his predictions, he makes what I feel to be a pretty accurate assessment of the way the conference might shape out:
1. Michigan State
2. Purdue
3. Ohio State
4. Michigan
5. Illinois
6. Minnesota
7. Wisconsin
8. Northwestern
9. Penn State
10. Indiana
11. Iowa
As I mentioned last night on the live chat, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota appear to be tournament teams. That's your top tier in the Big Ten, though Michigan State and Purdue may be on their own level.
IU will be better, but so is the Big Ten on the whole. That being said, Wisconsin will be down but they frequently tend to overachieve anyways. Northwestern is increasingly becoming a better team. Penn State lost two of its three stars from last year but returns Taler Battle. Iowa is simply not going to be good.
No. 10 seems to be the popular pick for IU, but it could be a crapshoot. Time (and injuries and eligibilities) will tell.
Your predictions?
