IUFLA Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 (edited) I want to preface this by saying that I don't do this (or the Pre Games for that matter) because I think I'm an "expert." I'm a Big 10 basketball fan, and it's simply an opinion after watching a lot of Big 10 games. I don't think evaluating basketball potential or talent is rocket science... I do it because I like to contribute to the site, and because it spurs discussion while we wait for 18 years olds to check "Do you like me?" boxes ...Anyway, here's my opinion for 2023-24... 1.Purdue Best Returning Player: Zach Edey Has to Make a Jump: Caleb Furst Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Myles Colvin (FR) 2.Michigan State Best Returning Player: Tyson Walker Has to Make a Jump: Jaxson Kohler Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Xavier Booker (FR) 3.Indiana Best Returning Player: Xavier Johnson Has to Make a Jump: Malik Reneau Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Kel’el Ware (Portal) 4.Iowa Best Returning Player: Tony Perkins Has to Make a Jump: Payton Sandfort Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Ben Krikke (Portal) 5.Illinois Best Returning Player: Terrance Shannon Jr Has to Make a Jump: Ty Rogers Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Quincy Guerrier (Portal) 6.Ohio State Best Returning Player: Bruce Thornton Has to Make a Jump: Roddy Gayle Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Jamison Battle (Portal) 7.Maryland Best Returning Player: Jahmir Young Has to Make a Jump: Jordan Geronimo Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: DeShawn Harris-Smith (FR) 8.Wisconsin Best Returning Player: Tyler Wahl Has to Make a Jump: Connor Essegian Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: AJ Storr (Portal) 9.Northwestern Best Returning Player: Boo Buie Has to Make a Jump: Brooks Barnhizer Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Ryan Langborg (Portal) 10.Nebraska Best Returning Player: Keisei Tominaga Has to Make a Jump: Jamarques Lawrence Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Brice Williams (Portal) 11.Michigan Best Returning Player: Dug McDaniel Has to Make a Jump: Tarris Reed Jr Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Nimari Burnett (Portal) 12.Rutgers Best Returning Player: Cliff Omoroyi Has to Make a Jump: Derek Simpson Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Noah Fernandes (Portal) 13.Penn State Best Returning Player: Kanye Clary Has to Make a Jump: Puff Johnson Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Ace Baldwin Jr (Portal) 14.Minnesota Best Returning Player: Dawson Garcia Has to Make a Jump: Pharrel Payne Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Mike Mitchell Jr. (Portal) Edited September 22, 2023 by IUFLA 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Hoosier Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Anyone think Purdue overachieved last year and won’t win the conference this year? 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierfan1901 Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 Why is IU not number 1? Going to win the natty this year anyways. Hoosiers by a million 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IUFLA Posted September 22, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 17 minutes ago, 02Hoosier said: Anyone think Purdue overachieved last year and won’t win the conference this year? Yeah, a little, but Edey was a matchup nightmare for most teams, and in most games they hit their shots... in the ones they don't, they get beat... 14 minutes ago, Hoosierfan1901 said: Why is IU not number 1? Going to win the natty this year anyways. Hoosiers by a million I tried to be honest about it... I really think we could wind up anywhere from 1st to 9th... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierfan1901 Posted September 22, 2023 Report Share Posted September 22, 2023 11 minutes ago, IUFLA said: I tried to be honest about it... I really think we could wind up anywhere from 1st to 9th... I agree too, seems like some of the preseason picks have us around 4-8. I saw Almanac Sports listed us at #5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoyeCowbell Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 The big difference I see this year compared with last (individual talent aside), is the overall depth of the squad. And I should probably further clarify that I'm comparing both teams relative to the same point of the year (pre-season expectations). Last year at this time, most people discussed the seemingly deep team we had on paper and how so many people were going to get minutes. Ultimately, I don't think we were quite as deep as we thought -- final production considered. Looking at this year's team, at first blush it doesn't look anywhere near as deep, with around 6-7 players that would be awarded *high* confidence and another 2-3 that are intriguing, but not likely major contributors. Now, I'm not necessarily knocking this. Perhaps this tighter rotation proves more beneficial as the guys know where they are and roles are accepted. I'm really interested to see how these new roles are stepped into, and how the overall chemistry of this unit plays out. Teams have won big with just 6-7 before. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWB Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 While it would be terrific if we competed for the B1G title, I just think the odds are pretty small given 10 new players on the roster this year. I suspect Woody will be testing a LOT of different lineups looking for the "magic sauce" that we need on a consistent basis. IF he can find that early on, and we continue to develop as the season progresses, we might be knocking on the door. But that's a lot of IF's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Bawls Posted September 23, 2023 Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 No way Boo Buie is back ... Hes like 43...I guess he's on the Bohanan plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IUFLA Posted September 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2023 (edited) 31 minutes ago, Dawg Bawls said: No way Boo Buie is back ... Hes like 43...I guess he's on the Bohanan plan Oh, but he is! Strange thing, Buie has never had to face Xavier Johnson while X has been at IU (did face him twice when XJ was at Pitt)... first year X was at IU, he was one of the "Windy City 5" in our only game we played against the Wildcats, and last year he was injured for both games... Edited September 23, 2023 by IUFLA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceDouglas Posted September 25, 2023 Report Share Posted September 25, 2023 Agree with your top 2 and the dregs of the league. 3-9 are the usual jumble in the middle that could be in any order and not be too surprising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking6 Posted September 25, 2023 Report Share Posted September 25, 2023 On 9/22/2023 at 3:30 PM, IUFLA said: I want to preface this by saying that I don't do this (or the Pre Games for that matter) because I think I'm an "expert." I'm a Big 10 basketball fan, and it's simply an opinion after watching a lot of Big 10 games. I don't think evaluating basketball potential or talent is rocket science... I do it because I like to contribute to the site, and because it spurs discussion while we wait for 18 years olds to check "Do you like me?" boxes ...Anyway, here's my opinion for 2023-24... 1.Purdue Best Returning Player: Zach Edey Has to Make a Jump: Caleb Furst Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Myles Colvin (FR) 2.Michigan State Best Returning Player: Tyson Walker Has to Make a Jump: Jaxson Kohler Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Xavier Booker (FR) 3.Indiana Best Returning Player: Xavier Johnson Has to Make a Jump: Malik Reneau Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Kel’el Ware (Portal) 4.Iowa Best Returning Player: Tony Perkins Has to Make a Jump: Payton Sandfort Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Ben Krikke (Portal) 5.Illinois Best Returning Player: Terrance Shannon Jr Has to Make a Jump: Ty Rogers Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Quincy Guerrier (Portal) 6.Ohio State Best Returning Player: Bruce Thornton Has to Make a Jump: Roddy Gayle Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Jamison Battle (Portal) 7.Maryland Best Returning Player: Jahmir Young Has to Make a Jump: Jordan Geronimo Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: DeShawn Harris-Smith (FR) 8.Wisconsin Best Returning Player: Tyler Wahl Has to Make a Jump: Connor Essegian Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: AJ Storr (Portal) 9.Northwestern Best Returning Player: Boo Buie Has to Make a Jump: Brooks Barnhizer Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Ryan Langborg (Portal) 10.Nebraska Best Returning Player: Keisei Tominaga Has to Make a Jump: Jamarques Lawrence Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Brice Williams (Portal) 11.Michigan Best Returning Player: Dug McDaniel Has to Make a Jump: Tarris Reed Jr Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Nimari Burnett (Portal) 12.Rutgers Best Returning Player: Cliff Omoroyi Has to Make a Jump: Derek Simpson Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Noah Fernandes (Portal) 13.Penn State Best Returning Player: Kanye Clary Has to Make a Jump: Puff Johnson Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Ace Baldwin Jr (Portal) 14.Minnesota Best Returning Player: Dawson Garcia Has to Make a Jump: Pharrel Payne Newcomer That Has to Make a Difference: Mike Mitchell Jr. (Portal) I think Purdue/Sparty are clearly the favorites. After that we have 5-6 teams including us that could be anywhere from 3-8 or so. Depends on schedule and development of new pieces by the staffs. Overall a great list and breakdown. Thanks for adding! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdue7 Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 On 9/22/2023 at 6:05 PM, 02Hoosier said: Anyone think Purdue overachieved last year and won’t win the conference this year? Overachieved 👍 I think this years squad is deeper and way more talented Edey or Smith get hurt and it gets hairy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceDouglas Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotIThatLives Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 49 minutes ago, BruceDouglas said: No. But if you want to give money away, put it on Illinois. Can you explain why they are getting so much love? You know them more than anyone. I love your 2 guard. But that's a pretty flawed roster. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5fouls Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 30 minutes ago, NotIThatLives said: No. But if you want to give money away, put it on Illinois. Can you explain why they are getting so much love? You know them more than anyone. I love your 2 guard. But that's a pretty flawed roster. I think it's because Brad Underwood is a Hall of Fame level coach. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluegrassIU Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 13 hours ago, Purdue7 said: Overachieved 👍 I think this years squad is deeper and way more talented Edey or Smith get hurt and it gets hairy Hairy you say? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
13th&Jackson Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 1 hour ago, 5fouls said: I think it's because Brad Underwood is a Hall of Fame level coach. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IUFLA Posted September 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 16 minutes ago, bluegrassIU said: Hairy you say? That's a drunk on a dare tattoo if I ever saw one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceDouglas Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 4 hours ago, NotIThatLives said: No. But if you want to give money away, put it on Illinois. Can you explain why they are getting so much love? You know them more than anyone. I love your 2 guard. But that's a pretty flawed roster. I think it's kind of like IU last year. They were pre-season favorites because they had most of the team back from the previous season. Once you get past Purdue and MSU, Illinois probably brings back more of their key guys from last season than most teams. A lot of the early predictive metrics like them as well: https://www.barttorvik.com/trankpre.php As I said elsewhere, I think they will be really good on D and in transition. The half-court offense is the big unknown due to the question regarding PG. And yeah that's a big one, really hurt them last year as well. All of the teams in that middle pack have some question marks which is why they're not up there with MSU and Purdue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdue7 Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 4 hours ago, bluegrassIU said: Hairy you say? You would think your mom could buy you some hair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdue7 Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 🐢 or IU? long shot Rutgers? DGL looking good for Illini? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotIThatLives Posted September 28, 2023 Report Share Posted September 28, 2023 4 hours ago, BruceDouglas said: I think it's kind of like IU last year. They were pre-season favorites because they had most of the team back from the previous season. Once you get past Purdue and MSU, Illinois probably brings back more of their key guys from last season than most teams. A lot of the early predictive metrics like them as well: https://www.barttorvik.com/trankpre.php As I said elsewhere, I think they will be really good on D and in transition. The half-court offense is the big unknown due to the question regarding PG. And yeah that's a big one, really hurt them last year as well. All of the teams in that middle pack have some question marks which is why they're not up there with MSU and Purdue. Terrance Shannon is likely 1st team lock. I am utterly confused on the Hawkins love. So what he's 6'10", he shoots 28% from 3. Dianja is the only true beef on the interior? Is your transfer class one of the best in the nation? Doesn't look like clear cut high end B1G talent but 2 maybe 3 solid pieces. Is the Italian kid any good? Maybe he's a filthy baller. Idk, most likely it's just how bad the B1G is this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotIThatLives Posted September 28, 2023 Report Share Posted September 28, 2023 5 hours ago, BruceDouglas said: https://www.barttorvik.com/trankpre.php This kinda answered my question. B1G is that bad this year after Indiana A&M and Sex Assualt U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FKIM01 Posted September 28, 2023 Report Share Posted September 28, 2023 8 minutes ago, NotIThatLives said: Terrance Shannon is likely 1st team lock. I am utterly confused on the Hawkins love. So what he's 6'10", he shoots 28% from 3. Dianja is the only true beef on the interior? Is your transfer class one of the best in the nation? Doesn't look like clear cut high end B1G talent but 2 maybe 3 solid pieces. Is the Italian kid any good? Maybe he's a filthy baller. Idk, most likely it's just how bad the B1G is this year. Never much impressed with Coleman Hawkins. Seems like a fair amount of hype without much to back it up. Maybe I missed all his good games, but meh from what I saw. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceDouglas Posted September 28, 2023 Report Share Posted September 28, 2023 15 hours ago, NotIThatLives said: Terrance Shannon is likely 1st team lock. I am utterly confused on the Hawkins love. So what he's 6'10", he shoots 28% from 3. Dianja is the only true beef on the interior? Is your transfer class one of the best in the nation? Doesn't look like clear cut high end B1G talent but 2 maybe 3 solid pieces. Is the Italian kid any good? Maybe he's a filthy baller. Idk, most likely it's just how bad the B1G is this year. Hawkins is a very good defender, certainly has his issues on offense. Guerrier can play inside if they go with a small lineup. And there's top 50 frosh Hansberry. Not quite as many 4s as IU, but there is some size. I wouldn't rank the transfer class very highly nationally but they did add some good pieces. Moretti could really help run the offense but isn't ready to guard anyone at this level yet. Agree the Big Ten doesn't look at that strong but lots of intriguing teams IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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