The Big Ten vs. "Them Others"...
The Big Ten vs. Itself ...
a Look Behind and Beyond.

The word is out that the Big Ten conference just isn't what it used to be 
when it comes to basketball. It must be true because you hear it from all 
over the place, right?

Oh, I don't know ... if I believed things just due to popular opinion 
then I'd be wasting my time searching for Elvis in the nearest Wal-mart. 
And I'm not, by the way. 

Personally, I don't think the Big Ten has been as strong in basketball 
over the last few seasons as they were in 1994 (With Michigan's Fab Five, 
Purdue's Glenn Robinson and etc.). I believe the Big Ten was stronger 
last season than they were in the 1995-96 season. And I expect the Big 
Ten to be stronger this season than they were last. That really doesn't 
mean much by itself though- until you know how the Big Ten compares (or 
compared) with the other conferences in basketball.

And that's really difficult to determine without the use of spirit 
mediums.

Oh, I could use a lot of 'maybe's and 'if's and shoot from the hip if I 
wanted to, but I don't know how useful or entertaining that would be. In 
my opinion, the most useful information for comparing conferences to one 
another is looking at their head-to-head match-ups. And it just so 
happens that I have that information from last season (as far as pre-
conference season goes). So let's compare the Big Ten's performance 
against other conferences and see how they did. And if I have any 
additional information on post-season match-ups between the two 
conferences, I'll add that - though I know I won't catch everything.

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A Look Behind ...

I think you'll agree, regardless of your conference allegiance, that the 
Big Ten held its own against most of the conferences last season, and 
remains a respectable conference for basketball. If you don't, then maybe 
you should take a gander at the following ... 

Big Ten vs. Atlantic 10	Pre-conference Result: Big Ten, 5-0 

Pre-conference 96-97:

LaSalle			beat by Iowa
Rhode Island		beat by Minnesota
St. Bonaventure		beat by Wisconsin
Temple			beat by Wisconsin
Virginia Tech		beat by Illinois

Post-play: I know that Purdue beat Rhode Island in a close game in the 
1st round of the Big Dance. I believe that Michigan beat Miami (Fla.) in 
the NIT. I'm not aware of any other match-ups, off hand. A 7-0 match-up 
between the Big Ten and Atlantic 10 last year probably doesn't surprise 
too many people.

Big Ten vs. Big East		Pre-conference Result: Big Ten, 6-3

Pre-conference 96-97:

Notre Dame		beat by Indiana
Pittsburgh		defeated Northwestern
			defeated Michigan
Providence		defeated Wisconsin
Seton Hall		beat by Ohio State
St. John's		beat by Michigan and Minnesota
UConn			beat by Indiana
West Virginia		beat by Minnesota

Post-play: Michigan beat Notre Dame in the NIT. There are no other 
match-ups that I'm aware of. Certainly not enough to overcome a four
game deficit at 7-3. Again, this skewed record probably doesn't surprise
many people. Last season wasn't the Big East at its finest.

Big Ten vs. Big 12		Pre-conference Result: Big Ten, 4-2

Pre-conference 96-97:

Iowa State		defeated Iowa
Kansas State		beat by Michigan State
Missouri		beat by Iowa and Illinois
Nebraska		beat by Minnesota
Oklahoma		defeated Purdue

Post-play: Kansas beat Purdue in the 2nd round of the Big Dance, bumping
it to 4-3. I believe Colorado is in the Big 12, and they beat Indiana in
the first round of the Big Dance- making it 4-4. I believe Michigan 
defeated Oklahoma in the NIT, making it 5-4. I'm not aware of any other 
match-ups. The Big Ten didn't dominate in this match-up by any means, but
I feel they held their own.

Big Ten vs. Conf. USA		Pre-conference Result: Conf. USA, 5-4

Pre-conference 96-97:

DePaul			beat by Northwestern and Indiana
Louisville		defeated Illinois and Purdue
Marquette		defeated Wisconsin
Memphis			beat by Wisconsin, defeated Michigan
South Florida		defeated Ohio State

Post-play: I'm not aware of any post-play match-ups. Some commentators
seemed to believe that the Conference USA was weak last season, but 
you don't see that from the Big Ten perspective. At least I don't.

Big Ten vs. ACC			Pre-conference Result: Big Ten, 3-1

Pre-conference 96-97:

Clemson			beat by Minnesota
Duke			beat by Indiana and Michigan
North Carolina St.	defeated Penn St.

Post-play: Minnesota beat Clemson again in the Big Dance, which surprised
some people. And I believe Virginia and Iowa played each other for the 
honor of taking on Kentucky and that Iowa won that honor. That would make
it 4-1 or 5-1, overall. Michigan beat Florida State in the NIT finals, 
making it 5-1 or 6-1, overall. Both conferences had one representative 
make it to the Final Four (Minnesota and North Carolina) and NIT Finals 
(Michigan and Florida State) and both conferences had comparable records 
in the Big Dance last season, despite the fact that the Big Ten had worse
seeds (overall). This may surprise quite a few people, for many consider 
the ACC as the top conference last season. The Big Ten can't be doing too 
badly if it can hold its own against the ACC ...

Big Ten vs. PAC-10		Pre-conference Result: PAC-10, 5-3

Pre-conference 96-97:

Arizona			beat by Michigan
California		defeated Iowa, Illinois, and Penn St.
Southern California	defeated Ohio State
UCLA			beat by Illinois
Washington State	beat by Michigan
			defeated Northwestern

Post-play: Not aware of any. California ready did a job on the Big Ten, 
with a 3-0 record. The Big Ten retaliated by beating Arizona and UCLA.

Big Ten vs. SEC			Pre-conference Result: SEC, 5-2

Alabama			defeated Minnesota
Kentucky		defeated Purdue, Indiana, and Ohio State
LSU			defeated Iowa, beat by Michigan
Tennessee		beat by Penn State

Post-play: Kentucky beat both Iowa and Minnesota before losing to Arizona
in the Big Dance last season. Michigan beat Arkansas in NIT play. I'm not
aware of any other match-ups- making it a slaughtering of 7-3. Kentucky
went 5-0 against the Big Ten last season, decimating the Big Ten's 
chances to even get close to .500 against the SEC conference in head-to-
head match-ups.

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But I think you'll agree that the Big Ten weren't slouches last season at
all. Their head-to-head records show they're competitive (and even 
dangerous) to other major basketball conferences.

So who cares, you say? What about this season? Is the Big Ten stronger or
weaker than last season?

Well, let's take a look at the talent the Big Ten lost from last season. 
While we're at it, let's take a look at what the Big Ten has gained.

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A Look Beyond ...

From team to team, here's the information I've collected. If you have 
some additional information you wish to share, drop me a line.

Illinois

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Kiwane Garris 	(PG)	Graduate			No
Chris Gandy	(PF/C)	Graduate			No
Herb Caldwell	(PF)	Graduate			No
Bryant Notree 	(WF)	Transfer			N/A

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Corey Bradford	(PG)	Recruit				No
Arias Davis	(SG)	JUCO				Yes
Jerry Hester	(WG)	Injured last year.		Yes
Sergio McClain 	(WG)	Recruit				Yes
Awvee Storey	(SF)	Recruit				Yes
Rich Beyers	(WF)	Recruit				Yes
Carvell Ammons	(PF)	Transfer			No

Note:

Illinois' Recruiting class was rated 4th in the nation by Hoop Scoop, but
that included recruits Marcus Griffin and possibly Leighton Nash- but 
both did not qualify academically to attend Illinois. However, I do not 
believe Awvee Storey was included in Hoop Scoop's assessment, as he was a
late addition to the class.

Head of the Class:

Most scouts liked Sergio McClain's abilities and would probably consider 
him the best addition in the Illini class. However, JUCO Arias Davis was 
an Honorable Mention JUCO All-American and is a three point specialist. 
One Illini fan who saw the recruits play together thought that point 
guard Corey Bradford outshined them all. However, Bradford is only a 
partial qualifier and isn't allowed to play this season.

Indiana

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Neil Reed	  (PG)	Transfer			N/A
Haris Mujezinovic (C)	Graduate			No

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer	Can play?

Antwaan Randle El (PG)	Recruit (Walk-on)		No
Rob Turner	  (SG)	JUCO				Yes
Luke Recker	  (WG)	Recruit				Yes
Tom Geyer	  (PF)	Recruit (Walk-on)		Yes
William Gladness  (PF)	JUCO				Yes
Kirk Haston	  (C)	Recruit				Yes

Note:

Rated the 6th best recruiting class in the nation by Hoop Scoop.

Head of the Class:

Luke Recker is probably the most talented basketball player recruited 
into the Big Ten this season. Rob Turner may be able to provide valuable
minutes this season as an offensive threat. Haston also may be able to 
spell Collier from time to time.

Iowa

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA? 

Andre Woolridge	(PG)	Graduate			No
Jeff Walker	(SG)	Transfer			N/A

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer	Can play?

Dean Oliver	   (PG)	Recruit				Yes
Ricky Davis	   (WG)	Recruit				Yes
John Carl Williams (F)	Recruit (walk-on)		Yes
Kyle Galloway	   (F)	Recruit (walk-on)		Yes
Jess Settles	   (WF)	Injured last year.		Yes
Marcelo Gomes	   (PF)	Red-shirted last year.		Yes

Note:

Just based on Oliver and Davis alone, Hoop Scoop rated Iowa as the 45th 
best recruiting class in the country. The "loss" of Jeff Walker is only
one on paper as well, since Walker never played one game in an Iowa 
jersey.

Head of the Class:

Both Oliver and Davis are considered Top 50 recruits. And all the Iowa 
fans already know what Jess Settles can do when he's healthy.

Michigan

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Brandun Hughes	(G)	Dismissed from program.		N/A
Maurice Taylor	(SF)	Left program.			Yes

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Robbie Reid	(PG)	Transfer			Yes
Brandon Smith	(SF)	Recruit				Yes
Josh Asselin	(C)	Recruit				Yes

Note:

Hoop Scoop rated Michigan's class as 75th in the nation. I don't believe
that included Robbie Reid.

Head of the Class:

Brandon Smith is considered a Top 100 recruit.

Michigan State

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Mike Respert	 (PG)	Graduate			No
Ray Weathers	 (G)	Graduate			No
Anthony Mull	 (G)	Graduate			No
Steve Polonowski (PF)	Graduate			No
Jon Garavaglia	 (PF/C)	Graduate			No

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Lorenzo Guess	(G)	Recruit	 (Walk-on)		Yes
Doug Davis	(G)	Recruit				Yes
Charlie Bell	(SG)	Recruit				Yes
Andre Hutson	(PF/C)	Recruit				Yes

Note:

Hoop Scoop rated the Michigan State class as 30th in the nation.

Head of the Class:

All of the recruits are considered Top 100 recruits by one source or 
another (including walk-on Guess- the only reason he isn't on scholarship
is because he already has a football scholarship at MSU). However, 
Charlie Bell seems to be rated higher by most sources.

Minnesota

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Bobby Jackson	(G)	Graduate			Yes
Mark Jones	(SG)	Graduate			No
Charles Thomas	(SG)	Transfer			N/A
Aaron Stauber	(F)	Transfer			N/A
Courtney James	(PF)	Suspended for investigation.	N/A
Kevin Loge	(PF/C)	Transfer			N/A
John Thomas	(PF/C)	Graduate			Yes
Trevor Winter	(PF/C)	Graduate			No

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Kevin Clark	(G)	JUCO				Yes
Kevin Nathaniel	(WG)	Recruit				Yes
Dusty Rychart	(SF)	Recruit (Walk-on)		Yes
Kyle Sanden	(PF/C)	Red-shirt			Yes
Antoine Broxsie	(PF/C)	Recruit				Yes

Note:

Power Forward Courtney James is a "loss" at least for fall semester due to
an internal Minnesota investigation on him. Also note that Kevin Loge is 
only a "loss" on paper because he was red-shirted last year- his only year
at Minnesota. Hoop Scoop rated the Minnesota class as 47th in the nation.
I don't believe that included late-signer Antoine Broxsie.

Head of the Class:

Kevin Clark. He was rated the 11th best JUCO in the country by Prep Stars.

Northwestern

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Geno Carlisle	(SG)	Transfer			N/A
Jevon Johnson	(WG)	Graduate			No
Carvell Ammons	(PF)	Transfer			N/A
Head Coach Byrdsong

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Jonah Batambuze	(G)	Recruit				Yes
Sean Wink	(G)	Recruit				Yes
Terrence Avery	(C)	Recruit				Yes
Head Coach Kevin O'Neill

Note:

Not rated by Hoop Scoop. They stopped at 126th, I believe.

Head of the Class:

Unknown. Relatively little is known by me about the NW recruits.

Ohio State

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Don Jantonio	(SG)	Graduate			No
Trent Jackson	(SG)	Dismissed from program.		N/A
Shaun Stonerook	(PF)	Academically ineligible.	N/A
Jermaine Tate	(PF)	Not medically cleared.		N/A
Ed Jenkins	(C)	JUCO acad. ineligible		N/A
Head Coach Randy Ayers

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Scoonie Penn    (PG)	Transfer			No
Michael Redd	(SG)	Recruit				Yes
Jon Sanderson	(F)	Recruit				Yes
Shamar Herron	(C)	Recruit				Yes
Ken Johnson	(C)	Prop 48 Recruit			Yes
Head Coach Jim O'Brien

Note:

Ed Jenkins is only a "loss" on paper for OSU. He never played one game in
an OSU jersey for them. Tate may be medically able to play in the future.
But from comments made by Tate's family and OSU staff, it doesn't look 
like he'll ever play again for OSU. Stonerook is still on campus, as far
as I know, and so may become academically eligible for the spring. Recruit
Jon Sanderson and OSU captain Damon Stringer, like the dismissed Trent 
Jackson, also had some entanglements with the law. However, both Sanderson
and Stringer are expected to remain on the team (so long as no further 
incidents occur). Head Coach O'Brien has mentioned that Damon Stringer 
will not be team captain this season. The recruiting class was rated 100th
in the nation by Hoop Scoop and it did not include Penn (or Johnson, I 
believe).

Head of the Class:

Michael Redd. Considered by most to be a Top 100 recruit. However, I don't
know much about Ken Johnson's HS career. Penn has impressive credentials
but, of course, he isn't allowed to play this season.

Penn State

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Dana Fritz	(PG)	Graduate			No
Bryan Machamer	(F)	Graduate			No
Aaron Jack	(F)	Transfer			N/A
Phil Williams	(PF)	Graduate			No
Rashaan Carlton	(PF)	Graduate			No
Jeremy Metzger	(PF/C)	Graduate			No

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Joe Crispin	  (PG)	Recruit				Yes
Greg Grays	  (SG)	Recruit				Yes
Gyasi Cline-Heard (PF)	Recruit				Yes
Scott Witkowski	  (C)	Recruit				Yes

Note:

Hoop Scoop rated the class 91st in the nation. I don't know whether it 
included Cline-Heard and Crispin or not.

Head of the Class:

I don't have much information on Cline-Heard and Crispin. Both Witkowski 
and Grays are considered projects by some recruiting sources.

Purdue

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

David Lesmond	(WF)	Left college for Europe Ball.	No
Luther Clay	(PF)	Transfer			N/A
Paul Gilvydis	(PF/C)	Graduate			No
Matt ten Dam	(C)	Graduate			No

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Mosi Barnes	  (PG)	Injured last season.		Yes
Tony Mayfield	  (PG)	JUCO				Yes
Carson Cunningham (G)	Transfer			No
B.J. Carretta	  (G)	Red-shirt (Walk-on)		Yes
Cameron Stephens  (WF)	Recruit				Unknown

Note:

Hoop Scoop rated Purdue's class as 43rd in the nation. However, that 
rating didn't include any of the four listed above and DID include Jamaal
Davis and Cameron Stephens, two recruits who were both found academically
ineligible to play basketball and are currently enrolled at Purdue as 
Prop 48 recruits. At the time this article was submitted, it looked like
Cameron Stephens might at least be a partial qualifier (able to practice,
not to play) and that an outside chance existed that Stephens could become
a full qualifier. No official information about this situation has been 
released by Purdue yet.

Head of the Class:

Cameron Stephens, if he's eligible to play this season. He's a Top 50 
recruit according to most polls. If not Stephens, the honor goes to Tony
Mayfield. Mayfield is a point guard who averaged 8.1 assists a game for 
his JUCO team which Dick Vitale rated as #1 in the country last year (in
pre-season).

Wisconsin

Lost			Graduate/Ineligible/Transfer	In NBA?

Mosezell Peterson (SF)	Transfer			N/A
Paul Grant	  (C)	Graduate			Yes

Found			Recruit/JUCO/Transfer		Can play?

Mike Kelley	(PG)	Recruit				Yes
Maurice Linton	(WF)	Recruit				Yes
Charlie Wills	(WF)	Recruit				Yes
Andy Kowske	(PF)	Recruit				Yes
Mark Vershaw	(PF/C)	Recruit				Yes

Note:

Wisconsin's class was rated 56th in the nation by Hoop Scoop.

Head of the Class:

Mark Vershaw. Considered a Top 50 recruit (if borderline Top 50) by most =
sources.

Looking at the conference as a whole, I believe the Big Ten has increased
its talent levels from last season.

Well, I hope I've quelled any fears about the Big Ten fading into the 
background and that I've introduced you to most of the new faces that will
be popping up in the Big Ten this year.

Until Next Time,

Rufus Talladega