Big Ten Basketball Preview: Going Deep Again in 2011

Quick: Which conference had the most Sweet 16 teams last season?

It wasn't the Big East or the ACC. It was that conference in the Midwest that, more often than not, opposing fans gleefully label "overrated." Yet, the Big Ten put three teams into the NCAA tournament's second weekend. Michigan State made it to the Final Four for the second straight season, even without its best player after the second round. The Purdue Boilermakers also dealt with a loss of their best player, making it to the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual champion Duke. Ohio State nearly made it an all-Big Ten regional final in the Midwest before losing to Tennessee by three points.

Over the summer, there were losses to graduation, the NBA and transfer, but most teams have enough talent returning for the 2010-11 season that they'll be even better this time around. In fact, it's a very bad time for teams like Northwestern, Minnesota and Indiana to try and move up the ranks -- because the top of the conference doesn't appear to be budging.

Heading into 2010-11, the Big Ten has the makings of the best conference in the nation. With two teams, Michigan State and Ohio State, that that look like Final Four threats now, and perhaps two more, Illinois and Purdue, that could develop into Final Four-caliber teams, as well as six probably good enough for the Sweet 16 and at least seven having a shot at the Big Dance, the Big Ten is certainly both talented and deep.

The reason for this stockpile of talent is three-fold.

• First, the league as a whole likely sports the best collective group of coaches in the nation. I made this argument over a year ago. While the reputation of certain coaches has changed, either better or worse, the claim itself still has great merit. Five coaches have been to the Final Four. Matt Painter, Bo Ryan and John Beilein haven't, though they are quite familiar with the Sweet 16. That's eight deep. You won't find many other conferences where the top 73 percent of coaches have Sweet 16s on their resume.

• Secondly, there are so many more experienced upperclassmen across the Big Ten than in most other conferences. This is likely tied to coaching, as these guys are the types that are into team-building. It doesn't necessarily make them better than teams like Kentucky, for example, but not everyone can stockpile five studs every single season. Instead, they build programs -- and the coaches in the Big Ten excel in this exercise.

• On the other hand, it's not like these players are lacking talent. You want senior star power? There's JaJuan Johnson, E'Twaun Moore, Kalin Lucas, Talor Battle, Demetri McCamey and Jon Leuer. Incoming talent isn't lacking, as Michigan State, Illinois and Ohio State all have highly ranked recruiting classes enrolled. In between the freshman and seniors, there's William Buford, Maurice Creek, Draymond Green, D.J. Richardson, John Shurna and a slew of others very capable of taking over a game.

All of which leads to a deep conference with seven of the 11 teams capable of looking like league favorites on any given night.

That's how you spell the strongest conference in the nation. The question from there will be if any one team is able to themselves become the best in the nation.

Player of the Year: JaJuan Johnson (right). He may well be the nation's best interior player, and is almost certainly the best among upperclassmen. If he has a great season and Purdue stays near the top of the conference -- which I expect -- "JJ" will get more attention as a national player of the year candidate, without the shadow of Robbie Hummel.

Most Important Player: Jereme Richmond. If Bruce Weber was going to get a top-flight recruit, he couldn't have picked one better suited for the Illini. They already have two big men (Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale), a very solid backcourt duo (Richardson and McCamey) and an experienced supporting cast. If the 6-foot-7 athletic small forward Richmond develops into a star, you're looking at a conference champ. If he disappoints, the Illini are stuck in the four-to-seven range.

Top Newcomer: Jared Sullinger. Not only is the freshman outstanding on on the boards, but his ability to score inside will add another dimension to the Buckeyes. Plus, he'll make his teammates better by drawing attention away from the outside scorers -- namely senior marksman Jon Diebler.

Player Who Will be Missed Most: Robbie Hummel. Evan Turner has an argument, but Ohio State reloaded without him. Purdue is still going to be good, but had a chance at school history. With Hummel down, the Boilers are no longer a national championship-caliber team.

On the Rise

Illinois - The Illini haven't been a Sweet 16 team since 2005's national runner-up finish, but things change this year with a dynamic recruiting class and nearly everyone from last year's team coming back.

Minnesota - The Gophers had to fight through a rocky season off the court in 2009-10, but those issues should be past them. Tubby Smith has a good amount of talent on his team and many are overlooking the Gophers.

Indiana - Can't go anywhere but up, right? With another year of experience and the return of Maurice Creek, this is the year the Hoosiers venture close to .500 in league play and reach the postseason again -- even if it's just the NIT.

On the Decline

Michigan - Last year was an unequivocal debacle, and the Wolverines lost three of their most important players from the squad.

Wisconsin? The Badgers haven't finished lower than fourth in the Big Ten during Bo Ryan's tenure, but will finish fifth this year. Call it a slight decline.

Postseason Predictions

NCAA Tournament Locks: Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin

NCAA Tournament Bubble: Minnesota, Northwestern

NIT-Bound: Indiana, Penn State

Eleven Questions

Illinois: Can Weber blend with the old with the young?

Indiana: Will Creek return from the fractured kneecap that ended his season a year ago and be just as athletic?

Iowa: How badly will the frontline be embarrassed throughout the season?

Michigan: Will UM brass be patient with John Beilein during this down cycle?

Michigan State: Can the Spartans have a better regular season this time around, setting up an easier path to the Final Four?

Minnesota: Will the Gophers find a legitimate go-to scorer, or just be content spreading it around?

Northwestern: Can the Wildcats take another step forward and break through the impenetrable barrier that has been the Big Dance bubble?

Ohio State: Can senior glue-guy David Lighty stay healthy?

Penn State: How far can Battle carry the Nittany Lions?

Purdue: Forgot Hummel, who is going to fill the emotional and defensive leadership skills of Chris Kramer?

Wisconsin: How quickly will 7-footer Evan Anderson become acclimated to the physicality of the Big Ten's inside game?