Big Ten Basketball Preview: Can Michigan State Repeat?

In the Big Ten, Michigan State has been known as the best basketball school. Though the Spartans won the regular season conference title, Michigan has been closing in on their in-state rival since John Beilein took over. The Wolverines hav e won the past two conference tournaments, and are looking for a third this season, despite losing Moritz Wagner, Duncan Robinson, and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. Purdue, Nebraska, and Indiana also look to challenge the state of Michigan for supremacy in the Big Ten.

Predictions

1. Michigan State

• Player to Watch: Nick Ward (Jr.)

• Projected Finish: Sweet 16

1. Michigan

• Player to Watch: Charles Matthews (Sr.)

• Projected Finish: Elite 8

1. Purdue

• Player to Watch: Carsen Edwards (Jr.)

• Projected Finish: Sweet 16

1. Nebraska

• Player to Watch: James Palmer Jr. (Sr.)

• Projected Finish: Round of 64

1. Indiana

• Player to Watch: Romeo Langford (Fr.)

• Projected Finish: Round of 32

1. Wisconsin

• Player to Watch: Ethan Happ (Grad)

• Projected Finish: Round of 64

1. Maryland

• Player to Watch: Anthony Cowan Jr. (Jr.)

• Projected Finish: First Four Out

1. Minnesota

• Player to Watch: Jordan Murphy (Sr.)

• Projected Finish: NIT

1. Penn State

• Player to Watch: Lamar Stevens (Jr.)

• Projected Finish: NIT

1. Ohio State

• Player to Watch: C.J. Jackson (Sr.)

• Projected Finish: NIT

1. Iowa

• Player to Watch: Tyler Cook (Jr.)

• Projected Finish: NIT

1. Northwestern

• Player to Watch: Ryan Taylor (Grad)

• Projected Finish: 12th in conference

1. Illinois

• Player to Watch: Trent Frazier (So.)

• Projected Finish: 13th in conference

1. Rutgers

• Player to Watch: Geo Baker (So.)

• Projected Finish: 14th in conference

All-Conference Teams

First Team:

• G Carsen Edwards, Purdue

• G Charles Matthews, Michigan

• G James Palmer Jr., Nebraska

• F Juwan Morgan, Indiana

• F Ethan Happ, Wisconsin

Second Team:

• G Cassius Winston, Michigan State

• G Anthony Cowan Jr., Maryland

• G Romeo Langford, Indiana

• F Jordan Murphy, Minnesota

• F Nick Ward, Michigan State

Third Team:

• G C.J. Jackson, Ohio State

• G Zavier Simpson, Michigan

• F Lamar Stevens, Penn State

• F Tyler Cook, Iowa

• F Isaac Copeland, Nebraska

Awards:

• Newcomer of the Year: Romeo Langford, Indiana

• Coach of the Year: Tim Miles, Nebraska

• Player of the Year: Ethan Happ, Wisconsin

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