Should be a tough race...hard to project......without looking at the unbalanced schedule here are the top 3 as I see it.....
#1 MN they have a great inside - outside combo.... Defensively inside they're tough to score against.....maybe toughest in nation. I think what gets them over the hump is they should have great senior leadership next year. Would not surprise me if they win the B10. Additionally I like their coaching staff... Good combo of being prepared and motivational emotional passion. Seem to be the team with the least faults and the least unknowns.
#2 MSU I am sure this will be the media pick for B10 champion and with good reason. But two things could be a problem for them......their guard play, certainly wasn't stellar last year, so lots of questions there. For a time it was rumored they were going to get Mark Smith....not sure how that turned out? But if they get him, game over move MSU To #1....the other problem is I am sure it will take sometime for new guys to gel....but should be OK by B1G season.
#3 Purdue. Again, great senior layden experienced team. They have great complementary players in DM, and PJT that make few mistakes, play good D and simply contribute to a winning team. VE and HAAS will provide alot of offensive punch to win some games.
But they have 3 problems:
--CS simply won several games last year for them. He was a difference maker that turned those games to victory. Additionally, he took alot of heat off the other guys and set thongs up for them. I think the rebounding and his turnovers will be a wash. New players rebounding and team rebounding will be up. Still CS was a force. They won't have that next year...and our likely to lose 3+ B10 games do to him just not being there. And those loses will keep us from winning the B10 again.
--Unconsistent play of VE and HAAS When they dissappear who is going to score?
--Lot of unknown in the new guys.. Is there anyone their that can be productive right away?? Let's hope so.....I know I do as that I think is our only hope in back to back Champs. But typically lower rated guys take 2+ years to turn into productive B10 players, if at all
#1 MN they have a great inside - outside combo.... Defensively inside they're tough to score against.....maybe toughest in nation. I think what gets them over the hump is they should have great senior leadership next year. Would not surprise me if they win the B10. Additionally I like their coaching staff... Good combo of being prepared and motivational emotional passion. Seem to be the team with the least faults and the least unknowns.
#2 MSU I am sure this will be the media pick for B10 champion and with good reason. But two things could be a problem for them......their guard play, certainly wasn't stellar last year, so lots of questions there. For a time it was rumored they were going to get Mark Smith....not sure how that turned out? But if they get him, game over move MSU To #1....the other problem is I am sure it will take sometime for new guys to gel....but should be OK by B1G season.
#3 Purdue. Again, great senior layden experienced team. They have great complementary players in DM, and PJT that make few mistakes, play good D and simply contribute to a winning team. VE and HAAS will provide alot of offensive punch to win some games.
But they have 3 problems:
--CS simply won several games last year for them. He was a difference maker that turned those games to victory. Additionally, he took alot of heat off the other guys and set thongs up for them. I think the rebounding and his turnovers will be a wash. New players rebounding and team rebounding will be up. Still CS was a force. They won't have that next year...and our likely to lose 3+ B10 games do to him just not being there. And those loses will keep us from winning the B10 again.
--Unconsistent play of VE and HAAS When they dissappear who is going to score?
--Lot of unknown in the new guys.. Is there anyone their that can be productive right away?? Let's hope so.....I know I do as that I think is our only hope in back to back Champs. But typically lower rated guys take 2+ years to turn into productive B10 players, if at all
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