The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/888498
56 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2017 2017-18 BASKETBALL PREVIEW 1. Michigan State — The Spartans will not only come into the season as the conference favorite, but also as a top-five team nationally. Michigan State returns every player from last year's outstanding freshman class — including star guard/forward Miles Bridges — and adds five-star power for- ward Jaren Jackson to a team that won 20 games and made it to the round of 32 in last year's NCAA Tournament. 2. Purdue — Although the reigning Big Ten regular-season champs lost their best player from last year's squad in forward Caleb Swanigan (18.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game), they are still in prime position to potentially win the conference once again. The Boiler- makers will be one of the most expe- rienced teams in the league, with four seniors in their starting lineup. 3. Michigan — Losing point guard Derrick Walton Jr. (15.5 points per game), wing Zak Irvin (13.0 points per game) and forward D.J. Wilson (11.0 points per game) from last year's team will defi- nitely be a blow, but the Wolverines are more than capable of overcoming it. Michigan will add a boost of athleticism to its starting lineup in the form of Ken- tucky transfer and redshirt sophomore wing Charles Matthews, while also fea- turing one of the best players in the con- ference in junior forward Moritz Wagner. 4. Minnesota — The Golden Gophers shocked everyone last year when they won 24 games and made the NCAA Tour- nament after going 8-23 the year prior, but the question now becomes whether or not they can sustain last year's success. Every rotation player with the exception of shooting guard Akeem Springs (9.5 points per game) returns from last year's team, including unanimous first-team All-Big Ten senior point guard Nate Mason (15.2 points and 5.0 assists per game). 5. Maryland — With point guard Melo Trimble (16.8 points and 3.7 assists per game) jumping early to the NBA after last season, the Terrapins will lack experience in 2017-18, but not talent. Sophomore point guard Anthony Cowan (10.3 points and 3.7 assists per game) is a star in the making, and has a solid supporting cast in classmates Kevin Huerter (9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game) and Justin Jackson (10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game). 6. Northwestern — The Wildcats finally made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history last year, and now the next goal will be to get back. Last year's unit returns almost fully intact, and features senior leaders in point guard Bryant McIntosh (14.8 points and 5.2 assists per game) and shooting guard Scottie Lindsey (14.1 points per game). 7. Wisconsin — The Badgers haven't finished lower than fourth in the conference since the 1999-2000 season, but this could potentially be the year that happens. Wisconsin will be one of the most inexperienced teams in the league, with redshirt junior forward Ethan Happ (14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game) the only returning player who averaged more than 19 minutes per contest last year. 8. Iowa — The Hawkeyes lost top scorer Peter Jok (19.9 points per game), but return their next 11 leading scorers. A trio of bud- ding sophomores who all played huge roles last year will lead the team — point guard Jordan Bohannon (10.9 points and 5.2 assists per game), and forwards Tyler Cook (12.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game) and Cordell Pemsl (8.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game). 9. Indiana — New head coach Archie Miller will have some talent to work with in his first year in Bloomington, despite the early departures of guard James Blackmon, forward OG Anunoby and cen- ter Thomas Bryant to the NBA — a trio that averaged a collective 40.7 point and 16.8 rebounds per game last year. This season's group should surpass the 18-win total posted in 2016-17 and at least be on the NCAA Tournament bubble. 10. Penn State — This could be the best Penn State team since the 2010-11 Talor Battle-led group that made the NCAA Tournament. Sophomore point guard Tony Carr (13.2 points, 4.8 re- bounds and 4.2 assists per game) and classmate forward Lamar Stevens (12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game) re- turn after phenomenal freshman sea- sons, and will be expected to lead the Nittany Lions to postseason contention. 11. Ohio State — New head coach Chris Holtmann will likely have a rough go of it during his first year in Columbus. The Buckeyes went just 17-15 last year and lost three of their top four scorers in forward Marc Loving, point guard JaQuan Lyle and center Trevor Thompson — a trio that combined for 34.3 points, 17.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists per contest. Redshirt junior wing Keita Bates-Diop's return from injury after missing almost all of last season — he averaged 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in nine games — will help, though. 12. Illinois — New head coach Brad Underwood was brought in to breathe life into the Illini program, but it won't be easy. Four of Illinois' top five scorers are gone from last year, with redshirt junior big man Leron Black (8.1 points and 6.3 re- bounds per game) the lone returnee of the group. Freshman shooter Mark Smith and fifth-year senior transfer guard Mark Alstork (19.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game at Wright State) will be welcome additions to the program. 13. Nebraska — Sixth-year mentor Tim Miles could be coaching for his job this season, but unfortunately for him the Cornhuskers were decimated by surprising personnel departures in the offseason. Junior point guard Glynn Watson (13.0 points per game) will be the unquestioned leader of the team, but doesn't appear to have much help around him. 14. Rutgers — Despite going just 15-18 last year, second- year head coach Steve Pikiell has the Scarlet Knights headed in the right direction. He has an experienced team to work with, led by a trio of veterans in junior point guard Corey Sanders, fifth-year senior forward Deshawn Freeman and senior shooter Mike Williams. The trio produced a clip of 33.3 points and 16.1 boards per outing last season, and Pikiell's next step will be to get Rutgers out of the Big Ten basement. Projected Order Of Finish Tom Izzo's Spartans are the Big Ten favorite entering the season and were projected as one of the top three teams in the nation by the pre- season annuals done by Lindy's (first), Athlon Sports (second) and Street & Smith's (third). PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL