Nov. 17, 2004

Illinois Fighting Illini

2003 Record: 26-7, 13-3 Big Ten Conference (1^st) - Lost to Duke in NCAA Regional Semifinal

Head Coach: Bruce Weber, Career Record: 129-61, Record at Illinois: 26-7 (2^nd Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 11, Starters Returning: 5

 

            Great expectations were over the Illini's head even before practice started this season and will continue to be there through out the 2004-05 campaign in Champaign. The Illini have been tabbed by the media as the preseason favorite in the Big Ten Conference men's basketball preseason poll. In addition, Illinois is being selected by many preseason magazines as one of the top teams in the country.

            Individually, head coach Bruce Weber's backcourt will feature perhaps the top duo in the conference and the nation. Guards Deron Williams and Dee Brown were each named to the Big Ten Preseason All-Conference team, making Illinois the only school in the league to feature two members on the squad. The juniors each averaged over 13 points-per-game in 2003-04 and were ranked first and second in the league in assists-per-game at 6.2 and 4.5 respectively.

            As good as both players were in distributing the basketball last year; those numbers could increase with an improved front court featuring Roger Powell and James Augustine. Powell added 11.6 points-per-game in 2003-04 while Augustine shot a team high .640 from the field and led the team in blocked shots with 21. Swingman Luther Head completes the starting line-up. Along with Williams and Brown, Head gives Illinois three legitimate scoring threats from behind the arc. A season ago, Head shot .343 from three-point land while averaging 11 points-per-game.

            The bottom line: Illinois is one of only three teams that return all five starters from their Sweet 16 team last season. Furthermore, the teams' top 10 scorers from last season all return to Champaign. Those experienced players should give Illinois a chance to repeat as conference champions make a deeper run into the NCAA Tournament.

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Indiana Hoosiers

2003 Record: 14-15, 7-9 Big Ten Conference (7th/Tie)

Head Coach: Mike Davis, Career Record: 81-53, Record at Indiana: Same (5^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 9, Starters Returning: 3

 

            Indiana has the right stuff, as in Bracey Wright, the Big Ten's top returning scorer. Wright returns to Bloomington for his junior season and could be the key to IU's Big Ten title chances in 2004-05. After averaging 18.5 points-per-game as a sophomore, the guard will attempt to improve his game even more and make the jump as one of the elite players in the NCAA.

            Ranked by many to have pulled in the best recruiting class in the conference this year, Indiana could lean on some of the newcomers' shoulders early and often. D.J. White headlines the class and could see significant minutes at power forward. White is big at 6'9" and is known as a tough inside scorer and efficient rebounder. Sean Kline is IU's top returning low post presence after averaging just over seven points and four rebounds-per-game last season.

            Head coach Mike Davis' rotation could also feature some athletic and sharp-shooting freshman. A.J Ratliff and Robert Vaden are both scoring guards who could both see some time on the floor. Marshall Strickland returns to patrol the backcourt with Wright. The junior averaged 10.8 points-per-game but must improve on his shooting percentage of .359 from the floor to give Indiana a solid tandem of guards. 

            After missing out on "The Big Dance" last season for the first time in 18 years, Indiana hopes to ride Wright and its young players into the NCAA tournament and be a forced to reckon with once there. The Hoosiers could be battled tested once March Madness roles around after a tough non-conference schedule which includes a two week span in December featuring games against North Carolina, Connecticut, Notre Dame and Kentucky.

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Iowa Hawkeyes

2003 Record: 16-13, 9-7 Big Ten Conference (4^th) - Lost to St. Louis in 1^st Round of 2004 NIT

Head Coach: Steve Alford, Career Record: 245-148, Record at Iowa: 89-71 (6^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 6, Starters Returning: 3

 

            After a trip to the NIT last March, an NCAA Tournament appearance would be the next step for Iowa. It will be a challenge for head coach Stave Alford to mix his veterans with a young and talented freshman class. But, if his three returning starters continue their improvement the Hawkeyes could be a challenging squad for other teams to face.

            With three of the Hawkeyes' top four leading scorers returning to Iowa City the Big Ten's second ranked offense should flourish once again. Iowa averaged 71.4 points-per-game and trailed Illinois just slightly for the league scoring title. Pierre Pierce and Jeff Horner will man the backcourt for the Hawkeyes after averaging 16.1 and 13.0 points-per-game a year ago to lead the team. With seven new players on the roster entering this season, Alford will depend on the steadiness and leadership of his veteran guards to keep Iowa in the hunt for a Big Ten crown.

            Iowa also ranked number one in the league in defensive rebounds-per-game thanks in large part to the hard work of forward Greg Brunner. The junior is the conference's leading returning rebounder and will need to post similar numbers to keep the Hawkeyes in games. Junior college transfer Doug Thomas could see a lot of minutes in the post on a team that features five newcomers at the forward and center positions.

            With a defense that held opponents to .406 shooting from the floor and players who know how to shoot and handle the ball, the Hawkeyes could be in good shape to make some noise in the Big Ten this season.

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Michigan Wolverines

2003 Record: 23-11, 8-8 Big Ten Conference (5th/Tie) - 2004 NIT Champions

Head Coach: Tommy Amaker, Career Record: 119-97, Record at Michigan: 51-42 (4^th Season)

Letterwinners: Returning: 13, Starters Returning: 4

           

            While many people may look down at the Wolverines 2003-2004 season, it seems to slip peoples minds that this team won the NIT in convincing fashion after falling just short of making "The Big Dance." After losing only one letterwinner - starter Bernard Robinson Jr. - the Maize and Blue have a team poised to make a run at a Big Ten title and return to the NCAA Tournament.

            The members of the Big Ten media seemed to concur with that assessment and voted the Wolverines in a tie for second in the preseason conference rankings. Lester Abram and Daniel Horton are another in the long line of dynamic backcourts to grace the Big Ten this season. The tandem are the team's leading returning scorers at 12.2 points-per-game for Abram and 13.1 for Horton. A junior, Horton must return to his form of two years ago when he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and became the first rookie to garner Player of the Week awards three times in a season.

            Robinson's presence down low will be missed; however, Michigan does return two post players to this year's squad. Courney Sims led the conference in blocked shots at two-per-game while Graham Brown shot .600 from the floor during the conference season for head coach Tommy Amaker. Both will need to provide UM with points down low as well as rebounds for the team to have a successful year.

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Michigan State Spartans

2003 Record: 18-12, 12-4 Big Ten Conference (2nd/Tie) - Lost to Nevada in 1st round of NCAA

Head Coach: Tom Izzo, Career Record: 207-90, Record at Michigan State: Same (10^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 9, Starters Returning: 5

 

            After playing one of the toughest schedules in the country last year, head coach Tom Izzo hopes that his Spartans have taken that experience and turned it into the toughness they will need to get though the Big Ten this season. Last year, Michigan State suffered losses to powerhouse schools Duke, Oklahoma, Kentucky, UCLA and Syracuse, but this year only Duke and UCLA will be there to challenge the Spartans before they hit the Big Ten schedule.

            Scoring shouldn't be an issue for this team after it averaged 71.3 points-per-game in 2003-04 and returns its top six leading scorers from a year ago. At 6'11", Paul Davis may be one of the most dominant big-men in the conference. The junior center averaged 15.8 points-per-game along with 6.2 rebounds-per-game for the Spartans. Up front, he will be joined by Alan Anderson who returns for his senior season after 8.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg last year. Freshman Marquis Gray enters the fold and could see some time at small and power forward. Gray is a rebounding specialist and was one of the top recruits in the country.

            On the perimeter, Chris Hill, Shannon Brown and Kelvin Torbert all return to start in MSU's three guard line-up. Seniors Hill and Torbert each averaged over 10 points-per-game last year with each shooting over 75 percent from the free throw line and 45 percent from behind the arc. A sophomore, Brown may need to increase his shooting percentage (45.1 FG%, 34.1 3-pt FG%) in order to see more minutes on the court this season. Some of Brown's playing time could go to freshman and Michigan's Mr. Basketball last season, Drew Neitzel.

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Minnesota Golden Gophers

2003 Record: 12-18, 3-13 Big Ten Conference (10th/Tie)

Head Coach: Dan Monson, Career Record: 131-92, Record at Minnesota: 79-75 (6^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 4, Starters Returning: 1

 

            In with the old and out with new. That could be the slogan for coach Dan Monson's Golden Gopher squad entering the 2004-05 season. With only one returning starter and 11 new faces on the team, a bit of mystery surrounds this season Minnesota squad. One thing is for sure, if the talent lives up to its billing, Minneapolis could be a tough place to visit come January and February.

            Adam Boone will be out for three months and may miss the entire season. Boone presence on the court will be missed along with his production. In 2003-04, Boone tallied 8.4 points-per-game and added 4.1 assists-per-game last season. Junior college transfer Vincent Grier could see the lion's share of the minutes at either the two or the three at 6'5". Grier is known for his solid play on the defensive end but will need to give Minnesota production on the offensive end.

            The nine freshman that have been added will be put too the test early and often this season. One thing that Monson was able to do was recruit a nice mix of size and athleticism. Kerry Wooldridge redshirted last season and could play a variety of positions at 6'8". Minnesota's Mr. Basketball Spencer Tollackson could also help out in the post, where his 6'9", 250 lbs. frame could lessen the blow of the loss of forward Kris Humphries to the NBA. Rico Tucker and Miles Webb are both quick guards who are adept to scoring points.
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Northwestern Wildcats

2003 Record: 14-15, 8-8 Big Ten Conference (5th/Tie)

Head Coach: Bill Carmody, Career Record: 145-89, Record at Northwestern: 53-64 (5^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 10, Starters Returning: 4

           

            The Wildcats turned in their best Big Ten record in 35 years last season with head coach Bill Carmody earning Coach of the Year honors in the league. After winning their opening match versus Penn State in the 2004 Big Ten Tournament, the Wildcats will be looking to take the next step and advance in the Big Ten tournament and a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

            Coach Carmody will be looking for players to step up in with the loss of graduated guard Jitim Young. Young's 17.9 points-per-game will have to be replaced with the play of guards T.J. Parker and Mohamed Hachad. Parker averaged 8.8 ppg. He was also outstanding a year ago in handling the ball and was a big reason why Northwestern's turnover margin ranked second in the league with plus 3.76 per game. Hachad is coming off a sophomore campaign in which he averaged 8.3 ppg. Sophomore Tim Doyle transferred in from St. John's and is known for his passing skills.

            The frontcourt should be the strength of this team with two starters returning at forward. Senior Davor Duvancic averaged 6.3 points-per-game in 2003-04. The team's leading returning scorer is junior Vedran Vukusic. The 6'8" forward averaged 14.3 ppg and added solid shooting behind the arc, where he shot over 38 percent. The front line will get a big boost this season in the form of 6'10" Mike Thompson. The junior transferred in from Duke and is penciled in to start this season at center. Thompson was a McDonald's All-American in high school in the Chicago suburb of Joliet.

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Ohio State Buckeyes

2003 Record: 14-16, 6-10 Big Ten Conference (9^th)

Head Coach: Thad Matta, Career Record: 102-31, Record at Ohio State: 0-0 (1^st Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 9, Starters Returning: 4

           

            Three of the team's top four leading scorers return to Columbus and will be in a new system this season under Ohio State's first year head coach That Matta. After three seasons at Xavier where he won 26 games in each year, Matta brings a winning record and attitude to the Buckeyes.

            Four starters return for OSU with three guards coming back from last year. J.J Sullinger and Tony Stockman both scored in double figures last season at 10.1 and 13.6 points-per-game respectively. Senior Brandon Fuss-Cheatham gives Matta a third guard to run with, which the coach likes to do with his offense. Two newcomers may vie for playing time at the one and two positions this winter. Je'Kel Foster is the reigning Florida Junior College Player of the Year, while Jamar Butler is the reigning Mr. Basketball from Ohio and could fit Matta's high-tempo offense nicely at the point.

            Junior Terrance Dials could be the key to the Buckeyes success with his play down low. In 2003-04, Dials averaged 10.4 ppg and 6.6 rebounds-per-game. Dials will swing between playing power forward and center to give Matta extra versatility in his on-court lineups. Matt Sylvester and Ivan Harris each averaged over three ppg in the limited action they saw last season. Both should see some time in the front court. Matt Terwilliger and Jermyl Jackson-Wilson are both freshman forwards who are athletic scorers who can play many positions.

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Penn State Nittany Lions

2003 Record: 9-19, 3-13 Big Ten Conference (10th/Tie)

Head Coach: Ed DeChellis, Career Record: 114-112, Record at Penn State: 9-19 (2^nd Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 6, Starters Returning: 2

           

            With his second season in State College set to tip off, Penn State coach Ed DeChellis has brought in many new players to learn his system. Penn State boasts five freshman and two transfers on this season's roster and will lean on those youngsters early and often to make this a successful year.

            Last season, guards Ben Luber and Marlon Smith each saw a lot of time on the court, averaging over 36 minutes-per-game each. In addition, the sophomore duo got their fair share of scoring experience. Smith is the teams leading returning scorer this season at 13.4 points-per-game, while Luber averaged 6.8 points-per-game. Both are accurate from the free throw line as well, making 75 percent of their shots from the charity stripe. Senior Jamaal Tate returns off a redshirt season and could see time at shooting guard and small forward. Freshman Mike Walker and Danny Morrissey are each sharp shooters form the perimeter while Geary Claxton has size at 6'5" to play multiple positions. Claxton averaged over 27 ppg and 14 rebounds-per-game in his senior year in high school.

            Aaron Johnson will be down in the post once again for Penn State and might be one of the top forwards in the Big Ten.  In his sophomore season, Johnson averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg while shooting 70 percent from three point land. Junior college transfer Travis Parker adds muscle to the frontcourt at 6'5", 242 pounds while John Kelly is a 6'11"redshirt freshman. Both could see significant minutes in the lineup.

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Purdue Boilermakers

2003 Record: 17-14, 7-9 Big Ten Conference (7th/Tie)

Head Coach: Gene Keady, Career Record: 543-268, Record at Purdue: 505-249 (25^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 8, Starters Returning: 3

 

            Going out with a bang! That's what Gene Keady wants to do in his final season at Purdue, and the way his players want to send him out after 25 years in West Lafayette. Keady will step down as the second-winningest coach in Big Ten history and will look to end his career with his 19^th appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

            Brandon McKnight and David Teague will be charged with leading the Boilermakers this season. Teague is the team's top returning scorer at 11.5 points-per-game while McKnight is second at an even nine points a night. Sophomore Chris Hartley and JUCO transfer Bryant Dillon could each see time in the Boilermaker's backcourt. Dillon is known as a shooter who is also capable of playing the point. At 6'6" he could work his way into the rotation at a few positions.

            The frontcourt lost four players who each were significant pieces of last years team. The four departed post players averaged 28 points-per-game collectively, a total that must be picked up by the current members of the roster. Junior forward Matt Kiefer averaged 21 minutes-per-game while adding in 6.5 ppg and 3.4 rebounds a night. Kiefer will be joined by sophomore Ije Nwankwo and Carl Landry,  who was one of the nation's top JUCO transfers. Fellow junior college alum Gary Ware is known for his athleticism and shot blocking skills at 6'9".

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Wisconsin Badgers

2003 Record: 25-7, 12-4 Big Ten Conference (2nd/Tie - 2003 Big Ten Tournament Champions)

Head Coach: Bo Ryan, Career Record: 451-131, Record at Wisconsin: 68-28 (4^th Season)

Letterwinners Returning: 7, Starters Returning: 2

 

            At most schools hearing boo's from the crowd would be a bad thing, But, if that sound is echoing through the Kohl Center this season then Wisconsin could be winning a lot of games. Boo Wade is one of only two returning starters for Bo Ryan's squad this season and could be looked upon to fill some of the void left by Devin Harris' early departure for the NBA.

            Wisconsin's leading returning scorer is forward Mike Wilkinson. The senior averaged 13.1 points-per-game last year and added 6.8 boards. Wilkinson will have a lot of help on the front line this season. Redshirt freshman Brian Butch added 35 pounds in his first year at Madison, and at 6'11" could be an intimidating presence in the post. Zach Morley is coming off a season in which he averaged 8.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg. Junior Ray Nixon (6'8"), sophomore Jason Chappell (6'10"), senior Andreas Helmigk (6'9") and freshman Gerg Stiemsma (6'11") will provide Wisconsin with a lot of depth in the post.

            Wade should see the ball more often and could see his numbers increase simultaneously. In 2003-04, Wade averaged 6.8 ppg while shooting over 40 percent form the field. Sharif Chambliss transferred in from Penn State last season and is now eligible to play. The senior averaged 14.7 ppg in 2002-03 for the Nittany Lions. DeAaron Williams was brought in and could see minutes out on the wing. At 6'4", the freshman is known for his acrobatics after a high jump over 6'9" in high school. Kammron Taylor and Clayton Hanson are back for their sophomore seasons. A year ago, each shot around 40 percent from the floor in 2.3 and 19.4 minutes-per-game respectively.