Way Too Early 2009-10 Big Ten Projections

The Big Ten is again comparative to the other elite conferences--the ACC and the Big East. 2009-2010 looks to be a great season for the conference. Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State and Minneosta will have the talent to compete with any team in the country. Plus, there won’t be any bad teams. Indiana won’t go 6-25 this season, and there won’t be many easy road wins. With that in mind, here’s how I rank the conference heading into next season.

1. Michigan State:

The Spartans will enter next season as a national title contender. They lose Goran Suton and Travis Walton but they’ll easily make up for those losses. Tom Izzo brings in another strong recruiting class with two highly-rated big men and he returns a star-studded backcourt led by Kalin Lucas. A healthy Raymar Morgan should put Michigan State back in the final four (again) and Delvon Roe could emerge as one of the top players in the conference. This team will be loaded.

Projected Lineup:
F Raymar Morgan: 6-7, Sr.
F Delvon Roe: 6-8, So.
G Durrell Summers: 6-4, Jr.
G Chris Allen: 6-3, Jr.
G Kalin Lucas: 6-0, Jr.
6th Man- Korie Lucious: 5-11, So./Garrick Sherman: 6-10, Fr.

Incoming Recruits: C Derrick Nix (6-9, 3-star); C Garrick Sherman (6-10, 4-star).
Key Losses: F Marquise Gray; C Idong Ibok; C Goran Suton; G Travis Walton.

2. Purdue:

Matt Painter brings back virtually every significant player from last season. Center JaJuan Johnson seems to have only scratched the surface in regards to his enormous potential. Fellow juniors Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore are part of a great nucleus, which could have the Boilers among the top 10 teams in the nation. 6-foot-5 freshman D.J. Byrd gives them another nice weapon. Somehow, the gutsy Chris Kramer still has another year of eligibility.

Projected Lineup:
F Robbie Hummel: 6-8, Jr.
C JaJuan Johnson: 6-10, Jr.
G Chris Kramer: 6-3, Sr.
G E’Twaun Moore: 6-3, Jr.
G Lewis Jackson: 5-9, So.
6th Man- Keaton Grant: 6-4, Sr.

Incoming Recruits: PF Patrick Bade (6-8, 3-star); SF Kelsey Barlow (6-5, 3-star); SG D.J. Byrd (6-5, 4-star); PF Jeff Robinson (6-9, 3-star).
Key Losses: F Nemanja Calasan; F Marcus Green.

3. Ohio State:

The Buckeyes took a hit with the early draft entry of center B.J. Mullens. However, they got great news when star Evan Turner decided to return--his mother broke the news. Turner should be the best player in the conference. In addition, Thad Matta returns William Buford, David Lighty and Jon Diebler to what should easily be a top 25 team. Ohio State is so loaded it didn’t even bother to bring in any new recruits. With all the talent coming back, Buckeye fans shouldn’t complain.

Projected Lineup:
F Dallas Lauderdale: 6-8, Jr.
F David Lighty: 6-5, Sr.
G Evan Turner: 6-7, Jr.
G Jon Diebler: 6-6, Jr.
G P.J. Hill: 6-1, Sr.
6th Man- William Buford: 6-5, So.

Incoming Recruits: None.
Key Losses: C B.J. Mullens.

4. Minnesota:

Tubby Smith has quickly vaulted the Gophers to the top of the Big Ten. He’s upgraded the talent immensely in two short seasons. His conference best 2009 recruiting class brings instant impact with Royce White and Rodney Williams. Adding those two players to an already solid core should place Minnesota near the top 15 in the country. The Gophers bring back several nice pieces in Al Nolen, Lawrence Westbrook and Damian Johnson. This team will be real good.

Projected Lineup:
F Damian Johnson: 6-7, Sr.
F Royce White: 6-7, Fr.
C Ralph Sampson: 6-11, So.
G Lawrence Westbrook: 6-0, Sr.
G Al Nolen: 6-1, Jr.
6th Man- Blake Hoffarber: 6-4, Jr./Rodney Williams: 6-6, Fr.

Incoming Recruits: PG Justin Cobbs (6-1, 3-star); PF Trevor Mbakwe (JC, 6-8, 3-star); SF Royce White (6-7, 5-star); SF Rodney Williams (6-6, 4-star).
Key Losses: G/F Jamal Abu-Shamala.

5. Illinois:

The Illinois program is back after a sub par 16-19 2007-08 season. The Illini lose a lot in the backcourt with Chester Frazier, Trent Meacham and Calvin Brock departing. But Bruce Webber scored a great recruiting class with guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul. The talented freshman backcourt duo should compliment a solid frontcourt that returns Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale. This should be a top 25 team.

Projected Lineup:
F Mike Davis: 6-9, Jr.
F Dominique Keller: 6-7, Sr.
C Mike Tisdale: 7-1, Jr.
G D.J. Richardson: 6-3, Fr.
G Demetri McCamey: 6-3, Jr.
6th Man- Alex Legion: 6-5, Jr.

Incoming Recruits: SG Joseph Bertrand (6-4, 3-star); PF Tyler Griffey (6-8, 3-star); SG Brandon Paul (6-3, 4-star); SG D.J. Richardson (6-3, 4-star).
Key Losses: G Calvin Brock; G Chester Frazier; G Trent Meacham.

6. Michigan:

The Wolverines’ 2009-10 success hinges upon the return of stars Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims. With neither projected as first-round NBA draft picks, they should return. That would give Michigan a likely top 25 team. Harris could be the best player in the conference, while Sims is probably in the top 10. Zack Novak and Stu Douglass provide the necessary outside shooting in this system. John Beilein brought in some good recruits headlined by Darius Morris.

Projected Lineup:
F DeShawn Sims: 6-8, Sr.
G Zack Novak: 6-5, So.
G Stu Douglass: 6-3, So.
G Laval Lucas-Perry: 6-3, So.
G Manny Harris: 6-5, Jr.
6th Man- Kelvin Grady: 5-11, Jr.

Incoming Recruits: PF Blake McLimans (6-10, 3-star); PF Jordan Morgan (6-8, 3-star); PG Darius Morris (6-4, 4-star); SG Matt Vogrich (6-4, 3-star).
Key Losses: G C.J. Lee; F Jevohn Shepherd.


7. Wisconsin:

Badger fans may be experiencing a little bit of a lull now in what’s been a remarkable career thus far for head coach Bo Ryan. The losses of Joe Krabbenhoft and Marcus Landry could leave Wisconsin on the NCAA Tournament bubble again next March. However, the Badgers definitely won’t be bad. Big man Jared Berggren could shine after redshirting last season. He was a big time recruit in the class of 2008. Meanwhile, Jason Bohannon and Trevon Hughes will look to have great senior seasons.

Projected Lineup:
F Jon Leuer: 6-10, Jr.
F Keaton Nankivil: 6-8, Jr.
F Tim Jarmusz: 6-6, Jr.
G Jason Bohannon: 6-2, Sr.
G Trevon Hughes: 6-0, Sr.
6th Man- Jordan Taylor: 6-1, So.

Incoming Recruits: PF Mike Bruesewitz (6-7, 3-star); SG Diamond Taylor (6-3, 3-star).
Key Losses: F Joe Krabbenhoft; F Marcus Landry.

8. Penn State:

Talor Battle and the Nittany Lions narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last season, having a breakthrough season and winning the whole thing in the NIT. Ed DeChellis does not have the talent though to make up for huge losses in Jamelle Cornley and Stanley Pringle. Despite Battle’s superstardom, Penn State will take a step back. The Lions will be competitive and could return to the NIT, but they’ll struggle to the bottom of the Big Ten.

Projected Lineup:
F Andrew Jones: 6-9, Jr.
F Jeff Brooks: 6-8, Jr.
F David Jackson: 6-6, Jr.
G Chris Babb: 6-5, So.
G Talor Battle: 5-11, Jr.
6th Man- Cameron Woodyard: 6-5, So.

Incoming Recruits: PG Tim Frazier (6-2, 3-star); SG Jermaine Marshall (6-5, --); PF Sasa Borovnjak (6-9, 3-star).
Key Losses: F Jamelle Cornley; G Danny Morrissey; G Stanley Pringle.

9. Indiana:

This program is clearly trending upward (how could it not be?). Tom Crean brings in five recruits ranked among the top 111 freshmen, according to rivals.com. Christian Watford comes in as the second most highly-touted recruit in the Big Ten, behind only Minnesota’s Royce White. Watford and freshman Maurice Creek will team with returnees Devan Dumes and Verdell Jones to give Indiana a pretty good collection of talent. The lack of experience of might keep Indiana from finishing above .500 overall, but the Hoosiers will be significantly better than they were in Crean’s first season.

Projected Lineup:
F Tom Pritchard: 6-8, So.
F Christian Watford: 6-8, Fr.
G Maurice Creek: 6-5, Fr.
G Devan Dumes: 6-2, Sr.
G Verdell Jones: 6-4, So.
6th Man- Nick Williams: 6-3, So.

Incoming Recruits: PF Bobby Capobianco (6-8, 3-star); SG Maurice Creek (6-5, 4-star); SF Derek Elston (6-8, 4-star); PG Jordan Hulls (6-0, 3-star); C Bawa Munira (6-11, 3-star); SF Christian Watford (6-8, 4-star).
Key Losses: F Kyle Taber.

10. Northwestern:

Last season was a banner year for the ‘Cats. They won 17 games and made it to the NIT. They’ll enter next season graduating only one key player--Craig Moore. He was a player that meant an awful lot to their success though, and with the rest of the Big Ten improving, Northwestern could get left in the dust. The ‘Cats still won’t be much fun to play in Evanston but they will be hard-pressed to repeat last season’s success.

Projected Lineup:
F Kevin Coble: 6-8, Sr.
F John Shurna: 6-8, So.
C Luka Mirkovic: 6-11, So.
G Jeremy Nash: 6-4, Sr.
G Michael Thompson: 5-10, Jr.
6th Man- Drew Crawford: 6-5, Fr.

Incoming Recruits: SG Drew Crawford (6-5, 3-star); SG Alex Marcotullio (6-2, 2-star).
Key Losses: G Craig Moore.

11. Iowa:

The Hawkeyes had the potential to make a nice jump in Todd Lickliter’s third season. That was before the roster was ravaged by transfers. Jake Kelly looked poised to become a star in the Big Ten, making his loss a huge blow. Now the they must build around Matt Gatens, who should only get better after a steady freshman season. Iowa must get role players like Jarryd Cole and Anthony Tucker to come through for it to be something resembling respectable. With so many key losses the Hawkeyes might struggle to even put up the 15 wins they did last season. Right now they don’t have a point guard but could get one during the spring signing period.

Projected Lineup:
F Jarryd Cole: 6-7, Jr.
F Matt Gatens: 6-5, So.
F Aaron Fuller: 6-6, So.
G Devan Bawinkel: 6-5, Sr.
G Anthony Tucker: 6-4, So.
6th Man- Eric May: 6-5, Fr.

Incoming Recruits: PF Devon Archie (JC, 6-9, --); C Brennan Cougill (6-9, 3-star); SF Eric May (6-5, 3-star).
Key Losses: G Jermain Davis, G Jake Kelly, G Jeff Peterson, C Cyrus Tate.