Toyminator's 1999 Big Ten Conference Preview

The Big Ten is coming off a stellar year with two teams reaching the Final Four. That may be repeated again this season, as many of its key players return to try and win a National Championship for their schools and the conference. Led by Mateen Cleaves & Scoonie Penn, the Spartans and Buckeyes will lead the charge into the Tournament. Michigan St. will be the prohibitive favorite to win it all, but Ohio St. has the country's best backcourt and will battle them all season. Another team that may enter the race is Illinois, which ended the season very hot and adds a number of impact newcomers to its roster. They may be this season's Ohio St.!

The rest of the conference is still tough, but some programs will be down. Northwestern & Minnesota will have a hard time matching last season's success. Indiana & Wisconsin may also have a tough time reaching the NCAA Tournament again , with all their significant losses. The rest of the teams should provide some good competition for the top 3, with Purdue & possibly Iowa making a nice run in the Tourney.

ON THE RISE: Illinois
Lon Kruger needed only a year to rebuild the Fighting Illini into a contender in the Big Ten. They came on strong late last season in the Big 10 Conference Tournament, which should give them confidence for this season. They have a good group of returnees, in Cory Bradford & Damir Krupalija, but then add a number of solid recruits, in Frank Williams, Brian Cook & Marcus Griffin. They're so deep, that losing starting center Fess Hawkins shouldn't have any impact. Lon should have fun with this team!

IN DECLINE: Minnesota
Yeah, I know...shocking! Well, this is what happens when a coach thinks he's above the university! Good riddance to Clem Haskins, who really did a number on this program. Even with Don Monson as coach, it will take awhile to recover. Recruiting will suffer immensely, especially with Michigan & Michigan St. reeling in the top recruits nowadays. At least, prize center Joel Pryzbilla stuck around for one more season.

1. MICHIGAN ST.

Strengths: Good shooting & rebounding team. Solid team defense. Good depth, especially at wings.
Weakness: Poor 3-pt shooting team.
Outlook: Anything less than Final Four again would be considered a dissappointment. Tom Izzo has really lifted this program!

2. OHIO ST.

Strengths: Excellent backcourt. Good team quickness, especially on defense. Good shooting team.
Weakness: Inexperienced bench. Poor FT shooting team.
Outlook: If team can control the boards, they are very difficult to beat. The Slobodan's are key off the bench, as well.

3. ILLINOIS

Strengths: Very deep & versatile. Good inside scoring & rebounding. Good team quickness.
Weakness: Poor shooting team. Too many turnovers.
Outlook: A talented array of newcomers allows Kruger to adjust his lineup versus teams. Could be very tough by season's end..

4. PURDUE

Strengths: Aggressive team defense. Good experience and coaching.
Weakness: Lack of size & rebounding. Little depth. Poor 3-pt shooting team.
Outlook: Loss of Stephens hurts their bench, but the starters are good enough to win enough games.

5. IOWA

Strengths: Good overall shooting team. Good rebounding team. Inside/Outside game of Jaacks & Oliver.
Weakness: Don't defend the 3-pt shot well. Too many turnovers. Lack of size.
Outlook: Despite some question marks, Alford has enough to win and make another run at the NCAA Tournament.

6. INDIANA

Strengths: Good shooting team. Solid offense. Good depth.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Lack of inside scoring, besides Haston. No true SF.
Outlook: With Recker, this team would have been NCAA bound. Now, the newcomers need to come up big.

7. PENN ST.

Strengths: Good shooting team. Great FT shooting team. Limit their turnovers.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Lack of quickness on defense - don't force many turnovers. Little depth.
Outlook: Return of Stephens (again!) gives Lions some inside scoring to complement Crispin, but it's not enough to makes NCAA's.

8. WISCONSIN

Strengths: Excellent team defense. Limit their turnovers.
Weakness: No offense whatsoever! Poor rebounding team.
Outlook: 32 points! Imagine what they'll score without their 2 top scorers from last season! Defense can only get you so far.

9. MICHIGAN

Strengths: Good quickness in backcourt. Good FT shooting team.
Weakness: Slow frontcourt. Inexperience in backcourt. Poor team defense.
Outlook: The Wolverines are suddenly very young, but talented. Will struggle this season, but future is looking better.

10. MINNESOTA

Strengths: Good size & rebounding. Good team defense.
Weakness: Lost a lot of scoring. Questionable guard play. Too many turnovers.
Outlook: Enough here to win some games this season, but it will take awhile to adjust to Monson's style and new rules!

11. NORTHWESTERN

Strengths: Good backcourt, who can hit the 3. Good team defense.
Weakness: Lack of inside scoring. Little experience or depth. Too many turnovers.
Outlook: Without Esch carrying them, the Cats will struggle and return to the basement where they belong!

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Last updated on 10/7/99 by toyminator@prodigy.net