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
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