Big 10

SULLINGER, OHIO STATE EXPECTED TO RULE NEW LOOK BIG 10

A media poll of 24 writers who cover the Big 10 was released earlier this week and they all agreed that Ohio State is this season’s favorite in the conference. The Buckeyes received all 24 1st-place votes to easily out-distance the field. The rest of the league is a little less certain in the eyes of the writers, with four teams receiving second place votes as the voting varied greatly from one ballot to the next. Here is the media poll results, with range of selections in parenthesis:

1. Ohio State, 288 (1)
2. Wisconsin, 248 (2-5)
3. Michigan, 233 (2-6)
4. Michigan State, 219 (2-6)
5. Purdue, 194 (2-9)
6. Illinois, 150 (4-9)
7. Minnesota, 142 (3-10)
8. Northwestern, 115 (6-11)
9. Indiana, 111 (5-12)
10. Iowa, 86 (6-12)
11. Nebraska, 60 (8-11)
12. Penn State, 26 (11-12)

Of course this is a new-look Big 10 as Nebraska joins the conference as the 12th member. Why the name of the Big 10 still? Who really know anymore with college sports. Only in this day and age of conference re-shuffling can the Big 12 have 10 teams and the Big 12 have 12 teams. Makes sense…

At the official Big 10 (plus 2) media day, the league releases their official preseason polls. The conference chooses to release only the top-three in the team voting and, to nobody’s surprise, Ohio State was the preseason favorite in that poll as well, followed by Wisconsin and Michigan State. The Big Ten also announced that Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger has been tabbed as the conference’s preseason player of the year. Also on the preseason all-Big Ten team were Purdue’s Robbie Hummel, Minnesota’s Trevor Mbakwe, Wisconsin’s Jordan Taylor and Michigan State’s Draymond Green.

2011-2012 BIG 10 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

By N.D. Kendrick

It is time to take a look at the Big Ten Preseason predictions now that we know who is heading to the NBA and who is coming back. It should be a down year for the Big Ten as far as teams but plenty of young talent is heading to the conference.

1. Ohio State (34-3, 16-2 Big Ten)
Key Losses: Sr. G John Diebler (12.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Sr. G David Lighty (12.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Sr. C DallasLauderdale (4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Key Returnees: Jr. F William Buford (14.3 ppg, 3.2rpg), Fr. C Jared Sullinger (17.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg), Fr. G Aaron Craft (6.9 ppg, 2.9 spg), Fr. G DeshaunThomas (7.6 ppg)

Key Additions: C Amir Williams, PG Shannon Scott, SF LaQuinton Ross, SF Sam Thompson

The Skinny: Unlike past years the Buckeyes bring back a ton of experience in Sully, Buford and Craft, while the other young man — Deshaun Thomas has a year of experience in the Matta system. Ross, and Shannon Scott should get the bulk of the few minutes that will be available from the bench.

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