2012-2013 Big Ten Basketball Preview pt. 2/3

-->

 Yesterday I covered the bottom third of the Big Ten, now it's time to take a look at the middle of the conference.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Last season: 12-20 overall, 4-14 (t-11^th)

Prediction: 6-12

Coach: Patrick Chambers (one year, 12-20)

Losses: G Cammeron Woodyard (8.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F Billy Oliver (6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg), G Trey Lewis (5.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg) G Matt Glover (2.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 apg), F Peter Alexis

Newcomers: G D.J. Newbill, PF Donovan Jack, PF Brandon Taylor, SF Akosa Maduegbunam

Starting 5: G Tim Frazier, Sr. (18.8 ppg, 6.2 apg, 4.2 rpg); G D.J. Newbill, Soph. (9.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg); SF Jermaine Marshall, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg); F Ross Travis, Soph. (4.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg); F Jon Graham, Soph. (3.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Penn State will be improved from last season; book it. They return their top two scorers from last year in Tim Frazier and Jermaine Marshall. I have no trouble saying Frazier will be one of the top 5-10 players in the Big Ten this year. He scores points in bunches, passes pretty well and forces steals. He can do it all. PSU will also be helped by incoming guard D.J. Newbill, the transfer from Southern Misssippi, who averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.2 rpg in his freshman season—he transferred last year and sat out all season. But questions remain, Travis and Graham are first year starters and the Nittany Lions lack quality depth. They need to work on being more consistent offensively as they ranked last in FG percentage last year (39.3 percent) in the Big Ten. I think they will improve on that and they could have an outside shot at an NIT bid.

-->

Iowa Hawkeyes

Last Year: 18-17, 8-10 (t-7^th)

Prediction: 8-10

Coach: Fran McCaffery (2 years, 29-37)

Losses: G Matt Gatens (15.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 apg), G Bryce Cartwright (6.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 4.8 apg), F Andrew Brommer (1.4 ppg), F Devon Archie (1.3 ppg), G Branden Stubbs (1.2 ppg)

Newcomers: PG Anthony Clemmons, PG Mike Gesell, SG Patrick Ingram, C Adam Woodbury, C Kyle Meyer

Starting 5: G Mike Gesell, Fr.; G Roy Devyn Marble, Jr. (11.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.6 apg); F Aaron White, Soph. (11.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg); F Zach McCabe, Jr. (7.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg); C Melsahn Basabe, Soph. (8.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg)

Fran McCaffery has the program going up in Iowa. Even though The Hawkeyes will lose it’s top scorer from last season in Matt Gatens, Iowa will be improved this season. Down low the Hawkeyes will feature a rotation of sophomore Center Melsahn Basabe, one of the top freshmen in the conference last season, and highly regarded Center Adam Woodbury. Both look to have solid seasons but if Iowa truly wants to contend in the Big Ten this year, they really need to improve their defense—they were ranked 180^th in defensive efficiency last year by Pomeroy. That’s not very good but it can only improve, right? Unfortunately the two freshman that will get lots of playing time (Gesell and Woodbury) need work on the defensive side of the ball (the rest of the team should be improved there). The Hawkeyes are relatively inexperienced but talented. The only reason they won’t surpass their win total from last season is the overall strength of the Big Ten.  Don’t be surprised to see the Hawkeyes on the bubble come March.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last year: 23-15 overall, 6-12 (t-9^th)

Prediction: 9-9

Coach: Tubby Smith (5 years, 103-64)

Losses: G Ralph Sampson III (7.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 apg), G Chlip Armelin (5.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg)

Newcomers: F Maurice Walker, SG Wally Ellenson, PF Charles Buggs

Starting 5: G Julian Welch, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.9 apg), G Andre Hollins (8.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.8 apg), G Austin Hollins, Soph. (9.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg), F Rodney Williams, Sr. (12.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Trevor Mbakwe, Sr. (14.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.4 apg)

Minnesota should be a lock for the NCAA tournament barring injuries of course. Trevor Mbakwe is returning this year after tearing his ACL early last season. If Mbakwe is able to play like he is capable of it could be a good year for Tubby Smith and the Gophers. Rodney Willams stepped up in Mbakwe’s absence, leading the team in scoring after Mbakwe’s injury. The Gophers also have a strong trio of guards and will employ a three guard rotation this season. If they run it to trouble, it could be due to a lock of size and lack of a true center. I think the Gophers will do fine regardless and will be dancing in March.

Check back for the title contenders tomorrow!