|
Post by kaara on Jun 16, 2009 13:23:26 GMT -5
Thanks RR, it doesn't getting any more objective when an SEC guy has a Big Ten's guys back ;D Seriously, toph, badgerballers, michigan & osu guys I am curious your thoughts as conference bretheren as well.
|
|
|
Post by maestro on Jun 16, 2009 13:25:15 GMT -5
It should be a very special year in Lawrence. My wife will be in a great mood all winter. Good for me.
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 16, 2009 13:28:13 GMT -5
Thanks RR, it doesn't getting any more objective when an SEC guy has a Big Ten's guys back ;D Seriously, toph, badgerballers, michigan & osu guys I am curious your thoughts as conference bretheren as well. I never count out Bo Ryan in the Big 10. I think the conference as a whole will be really balanced and fairly deep. I think Wisky will bounce back nicely, although this isn't the most athletic group that you've had, so offensive execution may be at a premium. If I had to pick the top 4 in the conference this year I would go with MSU, Purdue, UM, and WIsky in no particular order. Minny, Illinois, and tOSU in the tier below.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:31:31 GMT -5
I have a question Toph?
Was Taylor Battie a Sr last season?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:37:21 GMT -5
Msu is my pick to win the Big 10 in CBB. I hate them but you have to realize that there team is very loaded. I also think Purdue will challenge for the title and same with Wisconsin. I also think Michigan will as well. Im not trying to be bias but, Michigan should have a great team this year.
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 16, 2009 13:38:45 GMT -5
I have a question Toph? Was Taylor Battie a Sr last season? Nope, only a soph last season, but I am perrennially pessimistic about PSU hoops. It'd be nice if they can build off their NIT title, but I'll wait and see about that.
|
|
|
Post by kaara on Jun 16, 2009 13:39:49 GMT -5
I think UW's athleticism is underrated. The group that will take the floor this coming year I would actual rate, from top to bottom, as one of Bo's MOST athletic classes he has had. That does nto mean this will be his best team or have the best players he has ever had but the top five guards will be by far the most athletic group to date, the swingman that redshirted is probably the best athlerte Bo has had since Alando Tucker, the big men are not goign to be confused with Carl Lewis but when compred to Butch, Chappel, Stiemsma etc.. this new group is every bit as athletic and probably more so. Leuer is a very athletic big man and very versatile inside and out (though he lacks post strength still), I think Nankivil is actually very athletic he was just exposed by playing out of position last year (he is a 6' 8" white guy who was asked to play center all year last year when he should be playing no more than the four spot at his size), another redhsirt kid, Jared Bergerren, is said to have good feet and good athleticism for a 6' 11" kid. Like I said, this group lacks some experience at a few spots and it's hard to say if they will be ballers or just position fillers, but just straight out athleticism I actually think this might be the most athletic group Bo has ever had top to bottom, JMHO (just me homer opinion )
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:40:39 GMT -5
I have a question Toph? Was Taylor Battie a Sr last season? Nope, only a soph last season, but I am perrennially pessimistic about PSU hoops. It'd be nice if they can build off their NIT title, but I'll wait and see about that. Lol, wow I was way off! I must of been thinking of Cornley?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:41:24 GMT -5
Well with Battie coming back that will help Psu a lot.
|
|
|
Post by kaara on Jun 16, 2009 13:43:24 GMT -5
I know you are going to think I am crazy. But I actually think Michigan will be better once Manny Harris is gone. Manny is an athletically gifted and phenominal basketball player. His individual skill is in my opinion the best in the entoire conference. However, I have always felt he has always looked uncomfortable and out of place in Beilein's system, that is just my opinion, but having seen Beilein and what his best teams at WVU looked like and seeing what his recruits are sstarting to do at Michigan, I just think the TEAM might be better when Harris is gone. I could be wrong but it's jsut an observation I have made watching them the last couple years.
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 16, 2009 13:43:51 GMT -5
Nope, only a soph last season, but I am perrennially pessimistic about PSU hoops. It'd be nice if they can build off their NIT title, but I'll wait and see about that. Lol, wow I was way off! I must of been thinking of Cornley? Cornley was a SR.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:44:32 GMT -5
I think UW's athleticism is underrated. The group that will take the floor this coming year I would actual rate, from top to bottom, as one of Bo's MOST athletic classes he has had. That does nto mean this will be his best team or have the best players he has ever had but the top five guards will be by far the most athletic group to date, the swingman that redshirted is probably the best athlerte Bo has had since Alando Tucker, the big men are not goign to be confused with Carl Lewis but when compred to Butch, Chappel, Stiemsma etc.. this new group is every bit as athletic and probably more so. Leuer is a very athletic big man and very versatile inside and out (though he lacks post strength still), I think Nankivil is actually very athletic he was just exposed by playing out of position last year (he is a 6' 8" white guy who was asked to play center all year last year when he should be playing no more than the four spot at his size), another redhsirt kid, Jared Bergerren, is said to have good feet and good athleticism for a 6' 11" kid. Like I said, this group lacks some experience at a few spots and it's hard to say if they will be ballers or just position fillers, but just straight out athleticism I actually think this might be the most athletic group Bo has ever had top to bottom, JMHO (just me homer opinion ) Your assessment seems pretty good though. UW will have a very athletic team this season.
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 16, 2009 13:45:57 GMT -5
I think UW's athleticism is underrated. The group that will take the floor this coming year I would actual rate, from top to bottom, as one of Bo's MOST athletic classes he has had. That does nto mean this will be his best team or have the best players he has ever had but the top five guards will be by far the most athletic group to date, the swingman that redshirted is probably the best athlerte Bo has had since Alando Tucker, the big men are not goign to be confused with Carl Lewis but when compred to Butch, Chappel, Stiemsma etc.. this new group is every bit as athletic and probably more so. Leuer is a very athletic big man and very versatile inside and out (though he lacks post strength still), I think Nankivil is actually very athletic he was just exposed by playing out of position last year (he is a 6' 8" white guy who was asked to play center all year last year when he should be playing no more than the four spot at his size), another redhsirt kid, Jared Bergerren, is said to have good feet and good athleticism for a 6' 11" kid. Like I said, this group lacks some experience at a few spots and it's hard to say if they will be ballers or just position fillers, but just straight out athleticism I actually think this might be the most athletic group Bo has ever had top to bottom, JMHO (just me homer opinion ) I'll take a closer look next year and we'll revisit then.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:48:30 GMT -5
I know you are going to think I am crazy. But I actually think Michigan will be better once Manny Harris is gone. Manny is an athletically gifted and phenominal basketball player. His individual skill is in my opinion the best in the entoire conference. However, I have always felt he has always looked uncomfortable and out of place in Beilein's system, that is just my opinion, but having seen Beilein and what his best teams at WVU looked like and seeing what his recruits are sstarting to do at Michigan, I just think the TEAM might be better when Harris is gone. I could be wrong but it's jsut an observation I have made watching them the last couple years. A fellow Michigan friend of mine has the same opinion on Harris so its not just you. I think Harris will be in the Nba in the future and I love what he has done so far at Michigan. At times Harris did look uncomfortable in Beliens system. I hope this season Harris becomes more controllable in the system.
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 16, 2009 13:49:46 GMT -5
I know you are going to think I am crazy. But I actually think Michigan will be better once Manny Harris is gone. Manny is an athletically gifted and phenominal basketball player. His individual skill is in my opinion the best in the entoire conference. However, I have always felt he has always looked uncomfortable and out of place in Beilein's system, that is just my opinion, but having seen Beilein and what his best teams at WVU looked like and seeing what his recruits are sstarting to do at Michigan, I just think the TEAM might be better when Harris is gone. I could be wrong but it's jsut an observation I have made watching them the last couple years. I wouldn't totally disagree with that. I think it's a matter of Harris really buying to the system and that is tough b/c he is such a gifted athlete that he tends to want to freelance at times. I will say when I was at Richmond, we had a couple of 3 spots that did that as well and Beilin doesn't want to totally discourage that ability, but he doesn't want it to totally dominate the offense either.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:55:07 GMT -5
I know you are going to think I am crazy. But I actually think Michigan will be better once Manny Harris is gone. Manny is an athletically gifted and phenominal basketball player. His individual skill is in my opinion the best in the entoire conference. However, I have always felt he has always looked uncomfortable and out of place in Beilein's system, that is just my opinion, but having seen Beilein and what his best teams at WVU looked like and seeing what his recruits are sstarting to do at Michigan, I just think the TEAM might be better when Harris is gone. I could be wrong but it's jsut an observation I have made watching them the last couple years. I wouldn't totally disagree with that. I think it's a matter of Harris really buying to the system and that is tough b/c he is such a gifted athlete that he tends to want to freelance at times. I will say when I was at Richmond, we had a couple of 3 spots that did that as well and Beilin doesn't want to totally discourage that ability, but he doesn't want it to totally dominate the offense either. Good point
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:56:35 GMT -5
Lol, wow I was way off! I must of been thinking of Cornley? Cornley was a SR. Cornley was apart of the success Psu had last season. Its to bad hes not coming back for another season otherwise Psu could be a potential darkhorse to win the Big Ten in my opinion. You never know though with Battie. He is such a good player that can carry his team.
|
|
|
Post by kaara on Jun 16, 2009 13:58:00 GMT -5
The Badgers have the same problem with Trevon Hughes. The kid is actually a phenominally gifted athlete, super quick adn a really creative guard, but Bo Ryan demands things in his offense, especially from his PG, that Trevon really really struggles. I honestly think it is the mental part of the gaem that coaches like Bo and Beilein require of their players that the Harris' and hughes' of the world struggle with and they tend to "think too much" about the system and playing in the system and that takes away from their natural, athletic nature of playing the game. Hughes buys into Bo Ryan's system but I just am not sure he will ever "grasp" the system fully enough to truly showcase the team and his own talent. Harris looks to have similar issues at Michigan but Harris is a superior talent to Hughes so he can mask some of that but at the end of the day it still hinders the team from becoming all it can be as a unit.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 13:58:58 GMT -5
Alright it was nice talking with ya Toph and Kara but im going outside to shoot some hoops.
Im in a dunking mood today. ;D
Sometime when I have the time I will make more realistic predictions for the big 10 this year in CBB.
|
|
|
Post by Bradimous1 on Jun 16, 2009 14:00:32 GMT -5
Alright it was nice talking with ya Toph and Kara but im going outside to shoot some hoops. Im in a dunking mood today. ;D Sometime when I have the time I will make more realistic predictions for the big 10 this year in CBB. don't hurt yourself lowering the rim
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 16, 2009 14:00:59 GMT -5
The Badgers have the same problem with Trevon Hughes. The kid is actually a phenominally gifted athlete, super quick adn a really creative guard, but Bo Ryan demands things in his offense, especially from his PG, that Trevon really really struggles. I honestly think it is the mental part of the gaem that coaches like Bo and Beilein require of their players that the Harris' and hughes' of the world struggle with and they tend to "think too much" about the system and playing in the system and that takes away from their natural, athletic nature of playing the game. Hughes buys into Bo Ryan's system but I just am not sure he will ever "grasp" the system fully enough to truly showcase the team and his own talent. Harris looks to have similar issues at Michigan but Harris is a superior talent to Hughes so he can mask some of that but at the end of the day it still hinders the team from becoming all it can be as a unit. For once I will say that I agree 100% with Kaara. ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 14:01:58 GMT -5
Alright it was nice talking with ya Toph and Kara but im going outside to shoot some hoops. Im in a dunking mood today. ;D Sometime when I have the time I will make more realistic predictions for the big 10 this year in CBB. don't hurt yourself lowering the rim
|
|
|
Post by Bradimous1 on Jun 16, 2009 14:04:19 GMT -5
don't hurt yourself lowering the rim well that was mean... won't you feel like a dick if I do ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2009 16:08:48 GMT -5
well that was mean... won't you feel like a dick if I do ;D I probably would!
|
|
|
Post by Life's too short. on Jun 16, 2009 20:26:13 GMT -5
What's funny is I was just reading an article that said USC would have likely been in preseason top 10s if not for the collapse of things this off season. I don't know if it would have been a fact or not, but now I'd be amazed if USC doesn't spend the next couple of years as the #10 in the Pac 10. What a nightmare situation. The recruits have bailed, the coach has bailed, and does anyone really think any proven name is going to consider that job while NCAA investigations are going on regardless of the salary offer? Might be the first team to ever field a full bench of walk-ons and a walk-on coach as well.
|
|
|
Post by badgersballers on Jun 16, 2009 23:10:33 GMT -5
Here are my thoughts on the Big Ten Conference as a whole: I think that despite making the National Title Game Purdue will be better this season then MSU. Losing Suton will really hurt that team IMO. That team was so average without Suton, and I think it really showed when he was out early in the season. MSU will still have Kalin Lucas, Delvon Roe, Chris Allen, etc, but I don't think they repeat as Big Ten Champs. Purdue never was able to really get healthy last season, and if they do they'll be the best team in the conference. I think the next group of teams actually will be Michigan, OSU and Wisconsin. Michigan has everybody coming back, and honestly I think they'll play their best basketball in March. They could have games though where they beat a team like Kansas, but on the next night struggle with Iowa because of their style of play. OSU has the best player in the conference in Evan Turner, but not much else. Buford is a solid #2 guy, but they don't have much inside, and still don't have a PG. I could see them improving a lot, but also being similar to last season. Wisconsin will be solid like always. They have solid experienced guards, and with Bo Ryan they should have win 20 games again. Season probably lies with how much Nankivel, Leuer, and Berggeran develop inside. All three guys though can shoot the three, and are good fits in the offense. Next group in the conference is Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern and Penn State. Minnesota brings in a nice recruiting class, and return everybody, but I don't know how much better they'll get. They weren't an NCAA Tournament team last season, and really got lucky to make it. They really weren't as talented as the top group, and really got lucky beating Wisconsin twice in games they definantly shouldn't have won. I think they'll probably be a 6-8 seed this year. Illinois will struggle without Chester Frazier, like they did against WKU. They bring in some decent recruits, but they won't be able to replace Frazier's guts, heart, leadership, etc. Penn State returns 4 starters, and they should be able to challenge for a tournament bid. They were probably a win vs Iowa away from making the tournament in my mind. Losing Cornley will really hurt them as he was the heart and soul of the team. Northwestern loses Craig Moore, but they have enough back. Carmody is a good coach, and with Kevin Coble, Michael Thompson, etc. they can sneak into the tournament. Indiana and Iowa will be the bottom of the conference. Indiana should be able to double their wins, and maybe get into the NIT. They lose Nick Williams who had a promising freshman year to transfer, but they have a nice class coming in, and they will be able to beat any team in the conference at home. Iowa=Indiana of this season. They'll be horrible without Jake Kelley, and they might win 1-2 games in conference. Overall, I think that 9 maybe 10 teams will play in the postseason with 7-8 in the NCAA Tournament. The conference will have a pretty good conference, and I think they finally win the ACC-Big 10 Challenge this season.
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 17, 2009 7:18:13 GMT -5
BB, Nice write up and analysis, but did you and I watch different NC games last year? How can MSU possibly repeat as National Champs?
|
|
|
Post by tophb21 on Jun 17, 2009 7:20:22 GMT -5
What's funny is I was just reading an article that said USC would have likely been in preseason top 10s if not for the collapse of things this off season. I don't know if it would have been a fact or not, but now I'd be amazed if USC doesn't spend the next couple of years as the #10 in the Pac 10. What a nightmare situation. The recruits have bailed, the coach has bailed, and does anyone really think any proven name is going to consider that job while NCAA investigations are going on regardless of the salary offer? Might be the first team to ever field a full bench of walk-ons and a walk-on coach as well. USC is screwed for a good long while. They better hope that they can get a young upcoming coach that's willing to take a flyer like Scott Drew did at Baylor after their fiasco. Otherwise, USC could be in the middle of a recruiting hot bed and still struggle to get players to come.
|
|
|
Post by Bradimous1 on Jun 17, 2009 8:44:14 GMT -5
What's funny is I was just reading an article that said USC would have likely been in preseason top 10s if not for the collapse of things this off season. I don't know if it would have been a fact or not, but now I'd be amazed if USC doesn't spend the next couple of years as the #10 in the Pac 10. What a nightmare situation. The recruits have bailed, the coach has bailed, and does anyone really think any proven name is going to consider that job while NCAA investigations are going on regardless of the salary offer? Might be the first team to ever field a full bench of walk-ons and a walk-on coach as well. USC is screwed for a good long while. They better hope that they can get a young upcoming coach that's willing to take a flyer like Scott Drew did at Baylor after their fiasco. Otherwise, USC could be in the middle of a recruiting hot bed and still struggle to get players to come. I just can't wait for it to happen to the football team i18.photobucket.com/albums/b143/klinko82/Stupid football etc/Smileys/stirthepot.gif[/img]
|
|