HabaneroBuck
Non-Nike Design
This is not insight; this is just plain wrong. I only share it to illustrate that it is not worth getting upset with anything that is said by someone who has to pretend he knows something about 100 or so teams.
For instance, this is a little blurb on the Big Ten this year. Supposedly, the keys to the OSU crew this year is production from Dials and Sullinger. To me, those two are already givens: you know what you are going to get.
The key this year to exceeding expectations lies in the production of the new players whom we haven't even seen on the court for this team. Then again, I wonder if Katz even knows that Mayes and Lewis are on the team and expected to contribute right away.
For instance, this is a little blurb on the Big Ten this year. Supposedly, the keys to the OSU crew this year is production from Dials and Sullinger. To me, those two are already givens: you know what you are going to get.
The key this year to exceeding expectations lies in the production of the new players whom we haven't even seen on the court for this team. Then again, I wonder if Katz even knows that Mayes and Lewis are on the team and expected to contribute right away.
Things to remember
Indiana coach Mike Davis is ecstatic about the eligibility of Marco Killingsworth. The expectations on the Auburn transfer are immense. Davis said Killingsworth was the best player in practice last season and constantly pushed the team. He said Killingsworth has already played at the highest level, competing in the Sweet 16 and being a target in the SEC every night. Killingsworth has one season of eligibility left.
Minnesota expects monster seasons out of sophomores Dan Coleman (8.3 ppg) and Spencer Tollackson (3.2 ppg) up front. Redshirt senior Adam Boone is expected to start the season on time after sitting out last season with a torn bicep on his right arm. The Gophers also are getting a boost from former player and one-time Arkansas student Mo Hargrow, who had to sit out last season after transferring back. Vincent Grier, a potential Big Ten player of the year candidate, will be the go-to guy.
The reason Iowa is finally feeling like it can make a run is that there haven't been any off-court distractions for the Hawkeyes for the first time in years. Issues with Pierre Pierce and Sean Sonderleiter have disrupted this team's progress the past three seasons.
Paul Davis made a decision that he wanted to focus on his body this summer instead of playing USA Basketball. Tom Izzo, who is on the selection committee for the team, had no issue because he knows Davis has to be committed this season. If Davis is a beast in the post, the Spartans have a legit shot to win the title.
Wisconsin's season will come down to the three bigs: Brian Butch (3.6 ppg), Greg Stiemsma (1.1 ppg) and Jason Chappell (1.0 ppg). Badgers' coach Bo Ryan isn't worried about his best player, Alando Tucker, who's also his hardest worker. The season will hinge on whether the post gets any production.
Purdue coach Matt Painter is getting lauded for his recruiting efforts, but the Boilermakers will need help for next season. The hope is Connecticut transfer Marcus White, who will be eligible after the first semester ends, will be an impact player for the Boilermakers. White, who had back issues during his tenure with the Huskies, had the potential to be a breakthrough player, but never got the necessary minutes.
Ohio State coach Thad Matta doesn't like seeing this season's team getting overlooked by the hyped recruiting class of 2006-07. Matta has a shot to get the Buckeyes in the Dance a year before everyone will expect that to occur. The key will be how much of a dominant player Terence Dials can be in the post and whether J.J. Sullinger becomes a big-time perimeter scorer.
Michigan will be tested early and often (against Miami in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, home against UCLA in Ann Arbor, at Notre Dame, at South Florida, home against Central Michigan, Butler and Miami of Ohio). The Wolverines will also face their nemesis: Boston University, which has beaten Michigan twice in a row in Ann Arbor.
Illinois coach Bruce Weber took the Big Ten touring all-star gig because he wouldn't get another shot for some time because of the rotation of coaches. There was another reason, though, that likely was more pressing. The coach of the team gets to take two players instead of one and this allowed him to get redshirts Calvin Brock and Brian Randle some much-needed minutes on the trip.
Northwestern still hasn't played in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats were one game short of being postseason eligible last season. Losing T.J. Parker, who opted to turn pro, is another hit that this program can't easily recover from this season. The Wildcats are tough to out, but getting over the hump to the NCAA Tournament seems like a long shot.
Penn State's endless rebuilding project took another step back when Aaron Johnson took his 9.9 boards a game and transferred to New Mexico. The Nittany Lions lost 12 straight games to end last season. Could it get any worse?
– Andy Katz
