Summer Session: Big Ten

Once Duke cut down the nets in Lucas Oil Stadium -- Big Ten country -- last April, fans of teams in the Midwest's power league likely started to look ahead to 2010-11. And when they did, they had to have seen what a loaded league the Big Ten can be this upcoming season.

Events of the summer have done little to change that. In fact, the few departures and injuries have been offset by stellar recruiting, some progress on injury recovery and the return of several players to school who had initially entered the NBA Draft.

As the kids get ready to return to school, the Big Ten looks to be as strong a men's basketball conference as any other in the nation. There are two Final Four-ready teams, two more that could have that kind of potential and up to eight total that might see action in the now 68-team NCAA tournament.

Comings and Goings

In many ways, the biggest moves were the ones that didn't happen. Illinois returns Demetri McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale -- all of whom initially tested the waters of the NBA Draft. Tom Izzo flirted with the NBA's Cavs, but he's back in East Lansing. Joining him are Durrell Summers and Kalin Lucas. Talor Battle returns to Penn State with the hopes of carrying his team. Purdue has all three stud seniors coming back, too.

Also, the conference as a whole has a very strong group of incoming freshman joining the already stellar senior class. Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas are the big names, but Illinois and Michigan State also bring in some big-time talent.

There have been a few losses, though. Chris Allen has been booted from MSU, Kevin Coble quit on Northwestern, Laval Lucas-Perry has been kicked off Michigan's squad, Brennan Coughill was ruled ineligible for Iowa and Royce White left Minnesota (though he was never really likely to stay anyway).

Upcoming Storylines

• The progress of a handful of star players returning from injury will be a big one. Robbie Hummel of Purdue (right), MSU's Kalin Lucas and Maurice Creek of the Hoosiers are all returning from major injuries and each is arguably the most important player on his respective team. How each of them fares will greatly affect the success (or failure) of their teams. Hummel is practicing but hasn't taken part in 5-on-5 drills yet, Creek has tested the knee in pickup game action and felt about 70 percent a month ago, while Lucas is out until September. All three should be ready come November, but who knows if they'll be able to return to form?

Also, Ohio State's David Lighty is recovering from a less significant injury, but it's the second time he's had the exact same foot injury. Is the senior leader at risk to have it happen again during the season? It's at least a little scary for Ohio State.

Obviously there are more, but the above four are the most significant.

• How will Purdue's defense work without its heart-and-soul? If you only study box scores in lieu of watching basketball games, you have absolutely no idea how much Chris Kramer meant to the Boilermakers. Can they replace his intensity, leadership and on-ball pestering? If not, the stay in the top three of the national rankings will be short.

• Can Bruce Weber do it with his own guys? Illinois went to the Sweet 16 in Weber's first year and lost in the NCAA championship his second. The core of that team was recruited by Bill Self. Since then, Weber hasn't been past the second round of the Big Dance and missed the tourney twice. The time to discredit the naysayer is now, because the Illini are chock full of talent.

• Evan Turner averaged over 20 points a game for Ohio State last season. He's gone, but almost everyone else is back, in addition to a stellar recruiting class. Will the Buckeyes be more successful with more scoring balance -- both in terms of the points being spread out amongst more players and in terms of having some interior options.

• Tom Crean wasn't able to put together much of a recruiting class, because he has tapped out his scholarships. The Hoosiers haven't lost much, though, so the key for the season will be the development of the strong sophomore class. If Indiana wins its fair share of games and gets to the area of bubble teams, Crean's task of building will get a bit easier. If not, he may not be able to convince future recruits the thing is getting turned around anytime soon.

• Northwestern has never been to the NCAA tournament. It has been close each of the past two seasons, but just didn't have the resume. Before Coble's departure, it appeared a slam dunk that 2011 was the year. Still, the Wildcats return plenty of good players and survived without Coble last season.

Pre-Fall Power Rankings

1. Purdue - Jumps over State due to Allen's departure, but it's close.
1a. Michigan State - Of course, they won't be missing Allen much come March.
3. Ohio State - Expect a second consecutive Sweet 16 berth.
4. Illinois - Enough talent to win the conference, but can Weber make it mesh?
5. Wisconsin - 20 wins, NCAA tourney ... ho hum. Just another Bo Ryan year.
6. Northwestern - I think this is the year. Seriously.
7. Minnesota - Tubby has made progress, but most teams have made more.
8. Indiana - Could drop to 10 or rise to six, depending upon a myriad of factors.
9. Penn State - Could challenge NW for sixth with the return of Battle.
10. Michigan - Dreadful.
11. Iowa - Even worse.

Watch List

This unit is not a grouping of the best or most exciting players, but instead these are lesser-known players who will play a significant role in the success of their teams.

C - Guy-Marc Michel, Indiana -- The Hoosiers have desperately lacked an interior defensive presence for the past two seasons. This 7-footer is a shot-blocker and rebounder, and if his game translates from JuCo, he'll be the answer to many Hoosier prayers.
F - Ralph Sampson III, Minnesota -- The progress from his freshman to sophomore year was minimal. If he can grow into a dominant post player on both ends of the floor, the Golden Gophers will be dancing again. If not, not so much.
F - John Shurna, Northwestern -- Did you know he averaged over 18 points a game last season? He's the key to making Wildcats fans forget about how Coble quit.
G - Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin -- He put together a good -- albeit inconsistent -- sophomore campaign, but with Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon out the door, it's time for Taylor to step up and be the backcourt leader.
G - Kelsey Barlow, Purdue -- Here's your best bet to replace Kramer's perimeter defense, and Barlow actually has more offensive skills (not that he'll need them often, with the "Big Three" all back).