Big Ten: 2020-21 Preview
The Big Ten was the best conference in 2020 and looks to be the best this season as well. Last year 10 teams were poised to make the NCAA tourney. We believe that 10 teams again will be worthy but also note that there may be different metrics in selection this year. We almost guarantee 8 teams for sure.
Teams that will be in bracket
Illinois
Wisconsin
Michigan St
Iowa
The conference winner is likely to come from these four teams. A lot of returning players in this group with Michigan St the only team to suffer major losses of Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman. Luka Garza, Ayo Dosunmo and Kofi Cockburn lead the way for players of the year. Wisconsin returns all five starters and has a couple of inside out big men in Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers that make the Badgers a contender.
Teams that should be in
Michigan
Indiana
Rutgers
Ohio St
This middle tier all should be tourney bound baring some injuries and bad luck. Rutgers returns the most starters out of this group. Trayce Jackson-Davis returns for the Hoosiers and hopes to lead them to an upper division finish. Michigan must replace Xavier Tillman and Jon Teske but have a couple of stars in Isiah Livers and Franz Wagner.
Teams that could be in
Purdue
Maryland
Minnesota
Any of these three can move up into the top 8. All three programs have to replace some key components of their roster. Look for Minnesota with Marcus Carr to be a potential surprise tourney team.
Long shots to be in
Penn St
Northwestern
Nebraska
These teams will struggle to find success. Pat Chambers is no longer the coach at Penn St. Nebraska may win a few more games in year two of the Fred Hoiberg era but will still be a lower level team in the conference.
Team that will surprise: Minnesota
Team that will disappoint: Ohio St.
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