the national
- the Front Range
oh no, ten years already!!!?
B1G Next Year
Time flies when our ILLINI aren't anymore?
After looking closer at it this is my take on the BIG next year. Many things are based on assumptions, but we know for the most part how teams rosters will look next year barring a few changes (yes I understand some of these changes could be massive though). Sorry for the length of this post btw. Please feel free to quote with your opinions.
1. Michigan State- It seems pretty cut and dry as of now that Sparty is the top dog heading in to next year. In fact they could be top dog in the nation next season. It all starts with the Big 3 of Winston, Ward, and Langford as they should all return for their senior seasons. When you have a BIG POY and Potential All American return at Point Guard along with two other all Big Ten level players it almost seems unfair. Add in their recruiting class with two top 50 wings (a position that Sparty has longed for better minutes out of since Langford’s injury) and the return of key role players like Xavier Tillman, Kyle Ahrens, and Aaron Henry, and you’re looking at one of Izzo’s best teams ever.
2. Michigan- Next season should be yet another Top 15 team in Ann Arbor for John Beilein. A team that relies on some of the toughest defense in the nation and is only losing one rotational player, albeit a big one in Charles Matthews, should be in a similar spot to where they are this season. Zavier Simpson should be stuffing the stat sheet at point guard, while Brazdeikis (looking more and more like he is staying as he seems to be a 2nd round pick in mocks) and Poole burden most of the scoring load. Should be another great season, as they grind out wins in the Big Ten.
3. Iowa- Honestly this spot could’ve gone to a few teams, but I like Iowa’s balance, and the fact that they are most likely returning all 5 starters on a Top 25 team. Yes again, they have the potential Tyler Cook loss, but assuming he comes back for his senior year we should be seeing a pretty similar team to this year for Fran.
4. Illinois- Again I was on the fence for this spot, but I pipped Illinois above Maryland for the fourth position. I have to keep mentioning potential losses as a lot of players are in a grey zone on whether they are returning or not (Ayo). With Ayo this is a Top 25 team that has a solid Big 3 coupled with the arrival of Kofi to soak up space in the middle. We should finally be able to see Underwood’s system in full effect while also experiencing some great transition ball with our three guards, while we also go half court with bruisers like Giorgi and Kofi. Should be one of the most interesting teams in the nation, and obviously it would feel nice just to MAKE the tournament next season, but I would be surprised if Ayo returns we receive anything less than a 6 seed for the NCAA tourney.
5. Maryland- Cowan, Smith, Ayala, Wiggins is an amazing young core that will terrorize the Big Ten for the next few years. Fernando is the centerpiece of the team this year, but he seems like he is headed to the draft. They are one of the better 3 point shooting teams in the nation, and the high low dynamic of Cowan and Smith should once again have them as a Top 25 squad.
6. Ohio State- They have the best recruiting class in the Big Ten right now. This team could be as high as Top 15 in the nation if Carton can step in for CJ Jackson, and Wesson can receive some scoring help from all the talented wings. Should be a fun team to watch develop over the course of the season with its’ talented freshman adding a boost to an already NCAA level team.
7. Wisconsin- This is where I feel like the talent level falls off in the conference. Honestly talent wise this team probably isn’t top 10 in the conference for next season, but they all play very well into Gard’s system, and should be a scrappy team that settles in for a lower NCAA team. Without Happ they will rely on Davison and Reuvers, but I see them as too well coached to the system to fall down the ladder too far.
8. Penn State- They have picked it up in the second half of the season just like us. I have no clue if Chambers returns, but talent wise Stevens and Watkins have the potential to be the conference’s best frontcourt next year. A team that likes to generate turnovers similar to us returns 4 of its top 5 scorers, and if it’s recent play is any indication it should be in the thick of things next year.
9. Rutgers- I really feel like next season could be the breakthrough for Rutgers. Coach has them on the right track, and most of their scoring comes back. Their slow paced tempo should help them squeeze out victories, and they may be good enough to make the tournament.
10. Minnesota- This team could be so much higher but the departure of their double-double machine Jordan Murphy puts an ominous sign over the Gophers future. Outru and Coffey are a good combo, but I feel like watching Pitnio’s team they lack a true identity, and enough talent to elevate them then more a bubble team for next season.
11. Indiana- They would receive a major boost if Keion Brooks commits to pair up with fellow 5 star Trayce Jackson-Davis. Losing Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan won’t hurt so bad if those two come in, but for now without Brooks this team is hard to get a read on. It could be a Top 25 team, or a bottom feeder. How will Jerome Hunter play upon his return? Will former 4 stars Damezi Anderson and Race Thompson perform to their rankings? Can Archie coach? Find out next year in Bloomington!
12. Purdue- I feel really bad putting Purdue here, and sorely hope Matt Painter proves me wrong. It doesn’t look good for this team next year as they don’t return anyone who scored more than 8 points a game, and their recruiting class looks pretty weak. I believe they could be much higher, as Painter is one of the premier coaches in the conference even with limited talent.
13. Nebraska/Northwestern- Wow.
1. Michigan State- It seems pretty cut and dry as of now that Sparty is the top dog heading in to next year. In fact they could be top dog in the nation next season. It all starts with the Big 3 of Winston, Ward, and Langford as they should all return for their senior seasons. When you have a BIG POY and Potential All American return at Point Guard along with two other all Big Ten level players it almost seems unfair. Add in their recruiting class with two top 50 wings (a position that Sparty has longed for better minutes out of since Langford’s injury) and the return of key role players like Xavier Tillman, Kyle Ahrens, and Aaron Henry, and you’re looking at one of Izzo’s best teams ever.
2. Michigan- Next season should be yet another Top 15 team in Ann Arbor for John Beilein. A team that relies on some of the toughest defense in the nation and is only losing one rotational player, albeit a big one in Charles Matthews, should be in a similar spot to where they are this season. Zavier Simpson should be stuffing the stat sheet at point guard, while Brazdeikis (looking more and more like he is staying as he seems to be a 2nd round pick in mocks) and Poole burden most of the scoring load. Should be another great season, as they grind out wins in the Big Ten.
3. Iowa- Honestly this spot could’ve gone to a few teams, but I like Iowa’s balance, and the fact that they are most likely returning all 5 starters on a Top 25 team. Yes again, they have the potential Tyler Cook loss, but assuming he comes back for his senior year we should be seeing a pretty similar team to this year for Fran.
4. Illinois- Again I was on the fence for this spot, but I pipped Illinois above Maryland for the fourth position. I have to keep mentioning potential losses as a lot of players are in a grey zone on whether they are returning or not (Ayo). With Ayo this is a Top 25 team that has a solid Big 3 coupled with the arrival of Kofi to soak up space in the middle. We should finally be able to see Underwood’s system in full effect while also experiencing some great transition ball with our three guards, while we also go half court with bruisers like Giorgi and Kofi. Should be one of the most interesting teams in the nation, and obviously it would feel nice just to MAKE the tournament next season, but I would be surprised if Ayo returns we receive anything less than a 6 seed for the NCAA tourney.
5. Maryland- Cowan, Smith, Ayala, Wiggins is an amazing young core that will terrorize the Big Ten for the next few years. Fernando is the centerpiece of the team this year, but he seems like he is headed to the draft. They are one of the better 3 point shooting teams in the nation, and the high low dynamic of Cowan and Smith should once again have them as a Top 25 squad.
6. Ohio State- They have the best recruiting class in the Big Ten right now. This team could be as high as Top 15 in the nation if Carton can step in for CJ Jackson, and Wesson can receive some scoring help from all the talented wings. Should be a fun team to watch develop over the course of the season with its’ talented freshman adding a boost to an already NCAA level team.
7. Wisconsin- This is where I feel like the talent level falls off in the conference. Honestly talent wise this team probably isn’t top 10 in the conference for next season, but they all play very well into Gard’s system, and should be a scrappy team that settles in for a lower NCAA team. Without Happ they will rely on Davison and Reuvers, but I see them as too well coached to the system to fall down the ladder too far.
8. Penn State- They have picked it up in the second half of the season just like us. I have no clue if Chambers returns, but talent wise Stevens and Watkins have the potential to be the conference’s best frontcourt next year. A team that likes to generate turnovers similar to us returns 4 of its top 5 scorers, and if it’s recent play is any indication it should be in the thick of things next year.
9. Rutgers- I really feel like next season could be the breakthrough for Rutgers. Coach has them on the right track, and most of their scoring comes back. Their slow paced tempo should help them squeeze out victories, and they may be good enough to make the tournament.
10. Minnesota- This team could be so much higher but the departure of their double-double machine Jordan Murphy puts an ominous sign over the Gophers future. Outru and Coffey are a good combo, but I feel like watching Pitnio’s team they lack a true identity, and enough talent to elevate them then more a bubble team for next season.
11. Indiana- They would receive a major boost if Keion Brooks commits to pair up with fellow 5 star Trayce Jackson-Davis. Losing Romeo Langford and Juwan Morgan won’t hurt so bad if those two come in, but for now without Brooks this team is hard to get a read on. It could be a Top 25 team, or a bottom feeder. How will Jerome Hunter play upon his return? Will former 4 stars Damezi Anderson and Race Thompson perform to their rankings? Can Archie coach? Find out next year in Bloomington!
12. Purdue- I feel really bad putting Purdue here, and sorely hope Matt Painter proves me wrong. It doesn’t look good for this team next year as they don’t return anyone who scored more than 8 points a game, and their recruiting class looks pretty weak. I believe they could be much higher, as Painter is one of the premier coaches in the conference even with limited talent.
13. Nebraska/Northwestern- Wow.