2010-11 college basketball preview: The Big Ten
The Big Ten is set to become one of NCAA basketball’s most competitive conferences in 2010-11. With a plethora of extremely skilled teams and no overwhelming favourite, the Big Ten should be one of the most exciting conferences to watch. Schools such as
Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Minnesota, and Illinois will all battle hard for the top-five all season.
Below is a list of the five teams who are expected to lead the Big Ten and earn a spot in the NCAA Final Four Tournament.
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans are coming off an impressive year and have managed to hang on to the majority of their starters. Last season Michigan State finished third in the Big East with a 28-9 record, and many are saying they will improve that record this season.
The big question for the Spartans is whether or not Kalin Lucas will be able to come back strong after a torn Achilles tendon. Lucas is heading into his senior year and will be counted on to make the big plays for the squad. Michigan State needs the guard
to improve on his 14.8 PPG and 4 APG if they hope to win the conference.
Illinois Illini
The Illinois Illini are at the top of many people's lists, as they are considered to have a very strong and deep line-up. The Illini are still very young, but have plenty of potential. If they are able to harness their skill they have a real shot at winning
the conference.
Much of their season will depend on forward Jereme Richmond. The 6’8” 195-pound freshman will have to make an immediate impact up front in order for sophomore D.J. Richardson to get the space he needs at the guard position.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes have plenty of returning talent and have one of the best forward groups in the country. David Lightly, Jon Diebler and William Buford all averaged over 12PPG last season and all of them have extremely versatile games.
Unfortunately, the Buckeyes have question marks at the point guard position and it looks as though freshman Aaron Craft will be leading the offence on a nightly basis. The Buckeyes have plenty of talent, but they will need Craft to develop quickly if they
hope to challenge for top spot in the conference.
Purdue Boilermakers
Coming into the 2010-11 season, there were several people saying that the Purdue Boilermakers would be able to challenge for a national championship. However, when Robbie Hummel tore his ACL that all changed. Considered one of the best players in the country,
Hummel was a key to the Boilermakers success. Losing nearly 16 point and 7 rebounds from the line-up is going to set Purdue back a great deal.
Instead the Boilermakers are going to need E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson to step up in Hummel’s absence. Both Moore and Johnson have the ability to score. However, it will be interesting to see how they compete against a very deep Big Ten field.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers had an average season in 2009-10, going 21-14 with a 9-9 conference record. However, the club’s roster was riddled with arrests and suspensions that decimated their line-up and destroyed their chances at the Final Four.
Nevertheless, guard Al Nolen will be back in the line-up this season and should be a force at the offensive end. In addition, forward Trevor Mbakwe has been reinstated and should be strong on the boards, using his 6’8” 240-pound frame to his advantage. The
club also has some decent depth with Blake Hoffarber and Devoe Williams at guard.
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