Men's College Hoops: Preview the Big Ten

Can Ohio State repeat as Conference champs???? Or will there be a new conference leader???? Yep, it's the Big Ten! With college basketball beginning in about a week or so, the Big Ten is looking to once again have a team competing in the National Championship. With the new season under way, the Big Ten will try to provide the country with one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. Many new faces and teams alike will try to rise to expectation regarding their goal. Will this conference be more competitive than before????? Or will there be new conference champs????? As we try to sum up the best teams in the Big Ten, here's a preview of each team, strengths/weaknesses and key games.

1) Ohio State: Ohio State will try to once again repeat as conference champs but without their most important player, Greg Oden. After four of their starting players last season( Ivan Harris, Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Ron Lewis) were selected in the first round of the NBA draft, the Buckeyes will try to replace the core of the team. Last season in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes were 15-1 in their conference. But this time they don't have the big man in the middle who they call Greg Oden to lead the paint. Not only did he led the conference in blocks, field goal shooting and rebounds but he was the man that protected the paint. And with his sidekick, Mike Conley Jr leading the conference in assists, the Buckeyes future looked bright. But they soon left the premises and left the torch to future Buckeye players to lead the way. With the Buckeyes leading the conference in every stat, they hope that their future may do the same. But it may be difficult because only one player from last season's Championship game had return and that's Jamar Butler, who will look for more playing time. The Buckeyes may have a difficut time to adjust to their team but with their coach, Thad Matta, they may just be fine.

Strengths: The Buckeyes have one of the most improved coaches in college basketball, Thad Matta.
Weakness: The Buckeyes have only three Seniors in this basketball team. They will have to rely on promising stars such as Eric Wallace. Plus, it might be difficult for them to have a big man protecting the paint like Greg Oden. The Buckeyes may have a long season.....

Key Games: In the first two months, the Buckeyes play North Carolina(11/28), at Butler(12/1) and Florida(12/22). These key games will decide how good the Buckeyes are. But then they get their first road game in the Big Ten against conference rival Illinois(1/3) at Champagne where it will be followed by four straight conference games. But the test may be when they visit the Volunteers of Tennesse in mid January(1/19).

2) Wisconsin: With the Badgers finishing 15-1 in the conference, they look to seek for that same performance. Without their leading scorer in Alando Tucker, the Badgers look into this upcoming season with the same expectations. This time the Badgers will look for their returning starters such as Brian Butch who will lead the paint and glass. But it's returning Badger Marcus Landry who will provide a spark into the team and help them rise up the ranks. But if the Badgers are concerned about whether they will need to make adjustments and solutions, then they should not fear. After being third in the conference in scoring offense, the Badgers will look to improve their stability but they should be fine in rebounds because they were in the top five in the conference and should continue that thread. With their upcoming season, look for the Badgers to climb up.

Strengths: The Badgers have eight seniors and juniors in this team including Brian Butch(Senior) and Marcus Landry(Junior) that will provide experience.
Weakness: Without their leading scorer and leader, Alando Tucker, the Badgers will need someone to step up. Could it be a Freashman in Brett Valentyn???? Or someone else???

Key Games: The Badgers will look into the first two months when they challenge Georgia(11/24), at Duke(11/27), Marquette(12/8) and at Texas(12/29), they will see how developed they are. Then look for them to start their first conference game at Michigan(1/2) when they start playing the Big Ten. But if there's a game that they can't wait it's at Ohio State(2/24).

3) Indiana: If there is a team this season that will get the attention is the Hoosiers. Indiana will look into this season not with big hopes but championsip hopes. After being 10-6 in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers will look into this season with the same as last. Returning power forward D.J White will try to meliorate his game and help this team get what it needs. After being in the top five in both scoring offense and field-goal shooting, the Hoosiers will look to improve on that scheme. And after leading the Big Ten in 3-point shooting, look for the Hoosiers to continue that thread. This Hoosier team may be the deepest in all of this conference.

Strengths: Indiana has five seniors in this team including big man in the middle D.J White, look for them to be aggresive in rebounds and every offensive stat.
Weakness: There only weakness may be themselves and poise. Will they work together and help one another??????

Key Games: The Hoosiers look into the first two months playing Georgia Tech(11/27), at Southern Illinois(12/1) and Kentucky(12/8). Then they will look at back-to-back road games against Iowa(1/2) and Michigan(1/8) and play arch rival Illinois(1/13) at home.

4) Illinois: The Fighting Illini will look into this season with improvement and with their most important player, Brian Randle, they will look to improve their team. With only three seniors in this team, the Illini will have to rely on the young players to come through. But if there could be a player that can make an impact or be an impact is Jeff Jordan, who by the way is Michael Jordan's son. Not only is the Illini full of young talent but they are inexperienced. They will need help from junior Chester Taylor who was in the top five in assists in the conference. But if there is a big man that the Illini needs then they should not worry because they still got Shaun Pruitt who will try to help them be their big man. Even though the Illini has only three seniors, they might not be a big factor in the conference.

Strengths: The Illini has one of the most balanced coaches in college basketball in Bruce Webber.
Weakness: The Illini only have three seniors in this team. They will need to get balance and experience as the season moves on.

Key Games: The Illini will look into the first two months playing at Maryland(11/28) and Arizona(12/8), so they could see how far their team is. But it's not until January when they have their first game against Ohio State(1/3) and future road games at Wisconsin(1/10) and at Indiana(1/13). January could tell how far or close are the Illini.

5) Iowa: With the defending Big Ten champions, the Hawkeyes look into this season with big hopes. After losing their leading scorer in the team and conference in Adam Haluska, the Hawkeyes will try to look for someone to replace their leading scorer. After the Hawkeyes were in the top five in scoring offense, their main leader in Adam Haluskas led the team. His leadership and experience will be greatly missed. But if there is a stat that can help them out is in field-goal schooting and without their leading scorer, the Hawkeyes may have trouble adjusting to the season. They will need to rely on the young players to come through.

Strengths: The Hawkeyes will look into this season with great opportunities. The vets will have to come up.
Weakness: After losing one of their leading scorers in Adam Haluska, look for the Hawkeyes struggling.

Key Games: With the Hawkeyes having a relatively easy schedule, the Hawkeyes will have a challenge when they play Wake Forest(11/26). But really the competition is when they are in January against conference rivals in Indiana(1/2), at Wisconsin(1/5)and at Ohio State(1/9).

6) Michigan: After losing in the NIT(National Invitanional Tournament) quarters, the Wolverines will try to capitalize on their teams skills. After losing one of their biggest componets to the team in Courtney Sims, the Wolverines will try to replace the big man. After Sims ranking third in the conference in field-goal shooting, the Wolverines will try to see upon on freshman and sophomores. But if there is one thing that the Wolverines could be proud for is rebounds. After tying second with Michigan St. in rebounds, look for the Wolverines to try and pound the glass. But if there is a position that they may need help is the center position.

Strengths: After tying the Spartans in rebounds for second, look for the Wolverines to continue being aggressive.
Weakness: After losing one of their most important players in Courtney Sims, the Wolverines need someone to step up.

Key Games: The Hawkeyes may have to look for a tough season because the first two months may be themost difficult of them all. After going on the road at Georgetown(11/15), the Wolverines got Boston College(11/28), at Duke(12/8) and UCLA(12/22). Then we'll see at what state they might be when they play thier first conference game against Wisconsin(1/2).

7) Michigan St: With all the recent success that the Spartans have had you think they still don't need it. But guess what, you may be right! With their returning starter in Drew Neitzel, the Spartans will look into this with big hopes. Not only will Neitzel bring his skills but he will bring his agility and energy to the team. But if there isn't a thing that the Spartans can do than you may also be right. After being in the top five in their conference in field-goal shooting, rebounds and three-point shooting, look for the Spartans to continue that thread. Whether Neitzel may provide the assistance, the team provides the balance.

Strengths: With their returning starter in Drew Neitzel, the Spartans will have energy. Not to mention one of the top coaches in the game in Tom Izzo.
Weakness: With only two seniors on this team, the team may need to encouragement.

Key Games: With the Spartans having an easy schedule the first two months, they will have their hands full when they play Texas(12/22). But look for them to try and compete against the Big Ten when they start of against Minnesota(1/5).