Big Ten So Far

[Jonny2TheP]

Big Ten looking pretty average so far outside of the top three. Michigan State, Purdue, and Minnesota all have looked really good, but pretty big drop off after that. Maryland maybe (but had to struggle and come back to beat Bucknell at home). We've lost our two higher profile matchups so far and Wisconsin is in a similar position. Rutgers, OSU, and Penn State are all undefeated but haven't played anyone yet (Penn State should find out more when they play Texas A&M today and OSU has a gauntlet of opponents coming up that I don't believe will go well for them). Michigan lost a lot last year, and lost to the one semi-real opponent (LSU) they played so far. Iowa whopped up on three nobody opponents...and now have lost on back to back days to Louisiana (Rajin Cajuns) and South Dakota State. And Louisiana came back today and lost pretty easily to Wyoming.

Top three looking good. After that, not so much to this point...

 

[Hungry Jack]

The length and athleticism I saw on display vs Creighton and TT trumps anything I’ve seen on one team in the B1G.

 

[Jonny2TheP]

The length and athleticism I saw on display vs Creighton and TT trumps anything I’ve seen on one team in the B1G.

In my opinion, Minnesota is a more explosive (but not as good defensively) Texas Tech. Big, long, and athletic. I think that’s your closest Big Ten comparison to TT.

 

[Medill90]

Minnesota has a ton of talent. Their bigs move very well and are highly skilled. I remember when NU played ISU and Lynch....he's really helped Minny. Nate Mason is a special guard, plays bigger than his size. Nia's little brother is ok, too.

 

[IGNORE2]

The length and athleticism I saw on display vs Creighton and TT trumps anything I’ve seen on one team in the B1G.

Which one Creighton or TT?

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

PSU looked good against Texas a&m I thought

 

[pawildcat]

I think this is a transition year for the league. Lost a lot of players and there are new coaches at some key basketball schools. Recruiting seemed to go well, and I think the B1G will be on the rise in another season or two.

 

[Catreporter]

Purdue loses twice in their tourney; Ohio State blown out by Gonzaga. Minnesota, Rutgers, Maryland and Illinois are the last four unbeaten teams in the conference (and except for Minnesota, they've played nobody) going into the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Could be an interesting year.

 

[backdoorpass]

Purdue loses twice in their tourney; Ohio State blown out by Gonzaga. Minnesota, Rutgers, Maryland and Illinois are the last four unbeaten teams in the conference (and except for Minnesota, they've played nobody) going into the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Could be an interesting year.

Losses are certainly piling up for the B1G. With more than 40% of the league's total out of conference games already in the books, the B1G is currently rated a distant 5th in the country behind:

1) Big 12
2) Big East
3) ACC
4) SEC

This is fairly consistent with the past few seasons. (Last season, the B1G was 4th.) But I know some fans were hoping/projecting that the B1G would one of the top 2-3 leagues in 2017-18 and possibly get an additional team into the Tournament. This seems quite unlikely at this point.

The 'Cats must get wins against Georgia Tech, Valpo and Oklahoma. Even then, we still might need 11 regular season conference wins this season to comfortably make the Tournament. Not too many opportunities for high quality wins in league play.

 

[mikewebb68]

Losses are certainly piling up for the B1G. With more than 40% of the league's total out of conference games already in the books, the B1G is currently rated a distant 5th in the country behind:

1) Big 12
2) Big East
3) ACC
4) SEC

This is fairly consistent with the past few seasons. (Last season, the B1G was 4th.) But I know some fans were hoping/projecting that the B1G would one of the top 2-3 leagues in 2017-18 and possibly get an additional team into the Tournament. This seems quite unlikely at this point.

The 'Cats must get wins against Georgia Tech, Valpo and Oklahoma. Even then, we still might need 11 regular season conference wins this season to comfortably make the Tournament. Not too many opportunities for high quality wins in league play.

GT is going to be tough; the way Pardon is playing right now, Lammers is a fairly brutal matchup for us....

 

[loyolacat]

I think Valpo is presently undefeated and top 100 Kenpom...play 12 consistently

 

[backdoorpass]

Losses are certainly piling up for the B1G. With more than 40% of the league's total out of conference games already in the books, the B1G is currently rated a distant 5th in the country behind:

1) Big 12
2) Big East
3) ACC
4) SEC

This is fairly consistent with the past few seasons. (Last season, the B1G was 4th.) But I know some fans were hoping/projecting that the B1G would one of the top 2-3 leagues in 2017-18 and possibly get an additional team into the Tournament. This seems quite unlikely at this point.

The 'Cats must get wins against Georgia Tech, Valpo and Oklahoma. Even then, we still might need 11 regular season conference wins this season to comfortably make the Tournament. Not too many opportunities for high quality wins in league play.

B1G with an 0-2 start in the ACC/B1G Challenge. Not ideal.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Wisconsin managed all of 37 points against UVA

 

[pawildcat]

B1G with an 0-2 start in the ACC/B1G Challenge. Not ideal.

The B1G is in a bad place this year with new coaches at three of the league's usual bedrock programs — Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois — and not a lot in the cupboard at any of them. Wisconsin and Maryland look as if they've slipped some, and NU, Purdue and Iowa haven't impressed so far. Be prepared for the usual barbs from broadcasters and ACC fans, and unfortunately they'll probably be earned this season. Michigan State and possibly Minnesota are the only teams to look anything like Elite Eight. Frankly, the loyal fan bases in the B1G deserve better, and there certainly are enough fertile BB recruiting areas within the B1G footprint to produce good teams. The new guys on the block need to hit the recruiting trail, and the more established coaches need to perform.

 

[NJCat]

Wisconsin managed all of 37 points against UVA

Watched part of that game until it put me to sleep. WI is bad.....and better days are not on the horizon. Gard did great with Bo's recruits, but his own recruits have been lackluster. I see big problems in Mad-town.

 

[Medill90]

Watched part of that game until it put me to sleep. WI is bad.....and better days are not on the horizon. Gard did great with Bo's recruits, but his own recruits have been lackluster. I see big problems in Mad-town.

Wiscy has a 4 star, junior forward...Alex Illinikainen (sp?)...who was recruited by Bo but only plays a couple minutes a game. He played his last year of high school ball at Brewster, the year before Rap went there. NU recruited Illikainen.

 

[Franchise021]

The B1G is in a bad place this year with new coaches at three of the league's usual bedrock programs — Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois — and not a lot in the cupboard at any of them. Wisconsin and Maryland look as if they've slipped some, and NU, Purdue and Iowa haven't impressed so far. Be prepared for the usual barbs from broadcasters and ACC fans, and unfortunately they'll probably be earned this season. Michigan State and possibly Minnesota are the only teams to look anything like Elite Eight. Frankly, the loyal fan bases in the B1G deserve better, and there certainly are enough fertile BB recruiting areas within the B1G footprint to produce good teams. The new guys on the block need to hit the recruiting trail, and the more established coaches need to perform.

Purdue has several blowouts and 3 very good wins... they had one tough overtime loss and a letdown loss right after that. They are definitely a Top 15 team.

 

[Franchise021]

Purdue has several blowouts and 3 very good wins... they had one tough overtime loss and a letdown loss right after that. They are definitely a Top 15 team.

Scratch this post... we are a top 3 team!