2023 | SimCBB | Season Preview: Big Ten Conference

[TuscanSota]

Hi everyone,

 

Here are my preseason rankings for the Big Ten. 

 

14.  Wisconsin | Ovr: 349 | Off.: 358 | Def.: 293

For Badgers fans wondering why their team is ranked low, trust me, I don't know. The talent on here is actually good but I think there's a discrepancy in my algorithm and how these rankings are generated. So please, take this #14 ranking with a huge grain of salt because upon my inspection of this team, y'all are supposed to be ranked a lot higher.

This Badgers team is actually loaded and has a level of depth that will give this badgers squad a chance in the postseason. With veteran players like Jr PG Amos Quinn and Sr PF Jeramy Booth, there's a strong level of defense that this badgers squad will inhibit on the court Several players are capable of shooting from all ranges of the court; and I haven't even gone over the recruiting class they're bringing in this season. This team has five freshmen and two redshirt freshmen that could start at plenty of mid-majors; but add a level of depth in the back court. It remains to be seen if the Badgers will redshirt some of this talent but to be transparent, I'd put Wisconsin in the top 5 big Ten Teams.

13.  Northwestern | Ovr: 173 | Off.: 195 | Def.: 165

Northwestern is actually bad. Like, only one 'B' level ranking player bad. Sr PG Brandon Barnes is the saving grace of the Wildcats team and is setup as an excellent shooter and Floor General for the program. Jr Center James Lamar is going to have to be the defensive anchor for this team, unless the Wildcats want to rely on three of the freshmen they signed to help bolster their defense. The Wildcats don't have the depth, nor the offensive talent required to compete in this conference for even a conference tournament run.

12.  Indiana | Ovr: 165 | Off.: 168 | Def.: 143

The Hoosiers this season could put out a jumbo squad with the amount of talent they have at forward and especially center. Center Duos Larry Peterson and Thanh Kim are an excellent tandem that will be a presence close to the rim. Both players are capable of rebounding the ball well and driving to the basket for a layup. Outside of those two are other great players like Sr PG Andrew Klenner and freshman PF Manuel Saraiba as excellent options for shooting the ball. The Hoosiers have a good level of talent for their starting rotation but the depth needed for a post-season push is lacking. It's at least not as bad as Northwestern's locker room. But certainly, coach @Piercewise1 is likely determined to rebuild the locker room this season.

11.  Illinois | Ovr: 160 | Off.: 147 | Def.: 160

After many requests, coach @nemolee.exe is getting his wish for the review of this team. To be frank, this team, like many other user teams here, should be ranked higher. My favorite players on this Illini roster are Sr PG Arthur Steavens and Sr PF Xiang Bigler. Both are excellent mid-range specialists with a great free throw ability. While this Illini team's ability to pick up boards is concerning, I expect this them to be playing at a faster pace to make up for the lack of board opportunities. Save for their starting Center Christopher Toscano, who looks like their best rebounder. Can this team make a deep run? Potentially. I think I'm surprised by the decision to redshirt their freshmen, but that's just me.

10.  Nebraska | Ovr: 127 | Off.: 130 | Def.: 108

Coach @alexfall862 continues his legacy as the Basketball coach of Nebraska with the decision to redshirt almost all their freshmen. I don't know if this will be the year for the huskers; but I reckon that next year this basketball team will be more competitive. Nebraska right now though has three key players: Jr PF Christopher Merlo, Sr SG Alvaro Calderon, and Jr SG Mitchell Henderson. Merlo is the best of the three and is a versatile offensive specialist with great defensive playmaking. Caldron is arguably the team's three point specialist and Henderson offers some great shooting at the mid-range. The depth outside of these three is a little concerning, but my hunch is that the head coach is focusing on rebuilding this year, and driving to win next season.

9.  Penn State | Ovr: 118 | Off.: 125 | Def.: 97

Expect Penn State to run a Jumbo formation this season: They've got three excellent PF and a pretty decent Center. They also have a good PG in James Outlaw (what a name!), who is their best offensive weapon. The strength of this Penn State team is their ability to drive to the basket, and perhaps their ability to handle the ball. Their weakest ability is the lack of depth on this team. I don't think this team has the depth or capability for to be competitive in this year's Big Ten, but I'd like to see them try.

8.  Rutgers | Ovr: 101 | Off.: 99 | Def.: 95

Rutgers... is not bad at basketball? Well, I'd put them in the same group as Penn State: Jumbo Style team, good floor ability, can play decently on defense. Stephen Borg is their best player, who also happens to be a point guard. There is some opportunistic talent in their younger players such as Shad Phillips and Ravindra Dechavez; though they don't have the defensive ability needed to compete against the other teams in this list. Can Rutgers make a deep run? With players like Gerald Brown and Myron Cerroni, yes. Will it be enough? Sadly, no.

7.  Minnesota | Ovr: 92 | Off.: 112 | Def.: 69

One thing that I've noticed from this Minnesota roster is that this is the team that managed to sign @subsequent. In all seriousness though, the Gophers have some talent, but very barren depth. Their best player is Jr C Gregory Carden, an excellent dunker and rebounder in his own right. Minnesota is stacked at forward and Center this season, which I think is a trend with some of the most recent Big Ten teams covered. Their defensive play will make it tough for Big Ten opponents, but I don't think they have enough offense to make up for it.

6.  Iowa | Ovr: 68 | Off.: 89 | Def.: 62

Iowa is a rare case study of what happens when a team does not recruit any freshmen? Well, we're about to find out. Because there are no freshmen on this squad. While I expect Iowa to be aggressive in recruiting this season, the Hawkeyes have four very good players for another Jumbo Formation. Know the names Brian Christofferson and Dario Gonzalez: they both have good shooting abilities and rebounding. I have Iowa as a potential for performing worse than intended, especially with the blatant lack of depth. Once their seniors are gone, Iowa is in a mess of trouble.

5.  Ohio State | Ovr: 45 | Off.: 84 | Def.: 32

 

Ohio State is also a team in trouble like Iowa - they only recruited a freshman. Now with no coach, maybe their AI will be capable of rebuilding this roster. The Buckeyes have a very good SF and Center: Adam Puryear and Brian Money. Expect good defensive playmaking from thsee two, save for Sophomore SF Michael Chipps: This is the only other good player on this Buckeyes squad.

4.  Maryland | Ovr: 33 | Off.: 16 | Def.: 65

The Terps also only recruited one player -- why did they only recruit one player?? Why are the last few Big Ten teams doing this?

Okay, on a serious note, the Terps may have the best perimeter shooting capability in the Big Ten. PGs Joel Harvell, Wayne Evans, and James Webb? Can shoot any ball past the mid-range. What this team will lack on defense, it will make up for in 3's. Terps will be on a run this season.

3.  Michigan | Ovr: 28 | Off.: 31 | Def.: 26

Don't worry Bread Man, AI Michigan is in good hands. This team has some of the best ball handling and rebounding ability in the conference. With Sr PF Barry Clark leading the Wolverines, Michigan is poised to make a run for the Big Ten Tourney. There are plenty of players to make up the rotation for this squad, and good interior and mid-range shooting should keep Michigan in games. The one knock I have for this squad may be their freshmen don't seem as talented as the rest of the team; so long term, Michigan will need to address this in recruiting.

2.  Purdue | Ovr: 18 | Off.: 37 | Def.: 8

Last season's national champion, and this team is locked in at #2 for the conference. The level of depth on this Boilermakers squad is astounding. Coach @BabaYaga is bringing in excellent talent like 5 star Center Eddie Matsui and Fr SG Sam Chaplin, who look ready to get on the court. From their veterans you can expect players like SF Bob Conner and Gabriel Glover to drive to the basket exceptionally well. I haven't even gotten to Sophomore 5 star Pedro Rodriguez, who I think may be a lock for the SimNBA draft next season. Purdue is reloading this year and can make another deep run, at least to the Sweet 16.

1.  Michigan State | Ovr: 8 | Off.: 30 | Def.: 7

This year's preseason favorite is perhaps the most Jumbo Big Ten Roster we will find here. Look no further than Michigan State. This team has at least four Power Forwards who could see the court this season, and a Center to lock in as a starter (4 Star Sophomore Paul Coleman). Seniors Richard McGaugh and Roberto Pastella are SimNBA ready and are going to be terrifying for Big Ten opponents near the rim. At the Mid range, Pastella and Colin Newport are the Spartan's best options. Their biggest strength I think will be their Free Throw ability - with, their interior shooting ability, will make it nasty for the Big Ten this year. Expect Michigan State to compete for the Big Ten Tourney, and maybe a Sweet Sixteen run. Hell, perhaps Elite 8.

[BabaYaga]

Good look at the Big Ten!

[subsequent]

Quote

One thing that I've noticed from this Minnesota roster is that this is the team that managed to sign @subsequent

Wait how!?