Last year the Wisconsin Badgers were the "Cinderella" story of NCAA men's basketball. They had just lost their star PG Kam Taylor and the all-time Badgers points leader Alando Tucker.
The main reason for their success in 07-08 was their outstanding defense led by the Senior guard Michael Flowers. Their offense was led by center Brian Butch who could dominate you down low or step back and hit a three.
Overall, in the upcoming season i think the Badgers will be in and out of the Top 25 and might barely squeeze into the Tournament come March. I believe they lost their best defensive player in Michael Flowers and best offensive player in Brian Butch.
I believe that Michigan St. and Purdue will battle for the top spot in the Big 10.
These are my predictions for 08-09:
1.Michigan St. Spartans 28-4
Key loss: Guard Drew Neitzel
Key player: Junior Forward Raymar Morgan (14.0 ppg, 6.1 rebs, 1.6 ast)
2.Purdue Boilermakers 26-6
Key loss: Sophomore Forward Scott Martin
Key players: Sophomore Guard E'Twaun Moore (12.9 ppg, 3.9 rebs, 2.6 ast) and Sophomore Guard/Forward Robbie Hummel (11.4 ppg, 6.1 rebs, 2.5 ast)
3.Wisconsin Badgers 25-7
Key losses: Guard Michael Flowers and Center Brian Butch
Key player: Junior Guard Trevon Hughes (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rebs, 2.5 ast)
4.Indiana Hoosiers 23-9
Key loss: Forward D.J. White and Star Freshman Eric Gordon
Key player: Sophomore Guard Jordan Crawford(9.7 ppg, 3.4 rebs, 2.3 ast)
5. Ohio St. Buckeyes 23-9
Key Loss: Guard Jamar Butler and Sophomore C Kosta Koufos
Key player: Junior Guard/Forward David Lighty (9.0 ppg, 3.6 rebs, 2.4 ast)
I picked Michigan St. over Purdue simply because Purdue is too young. But i could be wrong. I think it will be a fun conference to watch next winter and I am looking forward to it.
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5 months ago
Good article Matt, but if I were you, I would switch Indiana and Ohio State.
5 months ago
You could be very, very, very wrong. You should probably look at the freshman classes when writing such an article.
No chance that Ohio State will end the year in 5th place with Mr. BJ Mullens.
5 months ago
For one Matt, Armon Bassett was kicked off the team and pending a miracle, he wont be with the Hoosiers this year. You may also want to add Eric Gordon as a key loss, as he certainly is a huge one.
The Buckeyes also lost Kosta Koufos and its Kam Taylor, not Cam.
from 5 months ago
I had a better article with all that stuff but it got erased so i just wrote this one up quikly without much research.
5 months ago
I love the big 10 enthusiam though
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