Big Ten Arms Race

[GunnerHawk]

It is great that Iowa got two mid-major commits from the portal but we are losing the race. Looking at Indiana, Michigan, Washington, UCLA, Ohio State, Illinois, Penn State, etc., we are falling behind. Indiana with five, Michigan with seven, UCLA with six. Fran really hasn't embraced the portal like most teams.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

k

 

[HawkHoops80]

Assuming Payton comes back, Iowa would have only had 3 roster spots to work with anyway. So of course Iowa was never going to go out and get equivalent transfer numbers to USC + Michigan who were replacing the entire roster.

People keep acting like roster retention isn't also a huge important factor in this. Would you rather Iowa have replaced the entire team or would you rather they retain Freeman, Dix and Payton? If some of you knew the money that was being thrown at Freeman to try and get him into the portal you might have a heart attack. I'm sure Dix had outside offers. Payton was just asked at the combine why he never entered the portal as if he was some idiot for not chasing a bag to a blue blood level like Cam Christie and Coleman Hawkins are potentially doing after the combine.

The other point that probably needs to be made alongside this is that I highly doubt those 3 main guys we retained are making peanuts by staying at Iowa. Brad Heinrichs was on KXNO yesterday, they flatout asked him if men's basketball was as bad as everyone perceived. He laughed and basically said that while they are never going to compete against the Big East schools with no football and the bluebloods in terms of money, that it isn't some crisis level funding catastrophe like a lot of people online make it out to be and that he's happy they were able to support Fran to land 2 transfers who had serious high major competition for their services. Every program does it differently, but I am assuming that a large amount of the money goes to player retention to ensure the Freemans and the Dix's of the world are taken care of.

 

[BioHawk]

The question that needs to be asked is, why did those teams have so many spots open that they needed to fill? In my opinion, short of having 5 seniors graduate if you have to add more than 1 or 2 transfers, there is an issue with your team. It could be that your team just doesn't develop talent anymore and hires it every year. That's a cycle many teams have been in for a while now. It certainly can be effective at producing winning teams year in and year out. But it has contributed to lowering the profile of men's basketball as nobody gives a shit about the actual players anymore.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Assuming Payton comes back, Iowa would have only had 3 roster spots to work with anyway. So of course Iowa was never going to go out and get equivalent transfer numbers to USC + Michigan who were replacing the entire roster.

People keep acting like roster retention isn't also a huge important factor in this. Would you rather Iowa have replaced the entire team or would you rather they retain Freeman, Dix and Payton? If some of you knew the money that was being thrown at Freeman to try and get him into the portal you might have a heart attack. I'm sure Dix had outside offers. Payton was just asked at the combine why he never entered the portal as if he was some idiot for not chasing a bag to a blue blood level like Cam Christie and Coleman Hawkins are potentially doing after the combine.

The other point that probably needs to be made alongside this is that I highly doubt those 3 main guys we retained are making peanuts by staying at Iowa. Brad Heinrichs was on KXNO yesterday, they flatout asked him if men's basketball was as bad as everyone perceived. He laughed and basically said that while they are never going to compete against the Big East schools with no football and the bluebloods in terms of money, that it isn't some crisis level funding catastrophe like a lot of people online make it out to be and that he's happy they were able to support Fran to land 2 transfers who had serious high major competition for their services. Every program does it differently, but I am assuming that a large amount of the money goes to player retention to ensure the Freemans and the Dix's of the world are taken care of.

I'd rather they replace the entire team with players that can win a national championship than scratch and claw to make sure we retained whatever potential you think it is we have coming back........................

Hope that helps!!!

 

[HawkHoops80]

I'd rather they replace the entire team with players that can win a national championship than scratch and claw to make sure we retained whatever potential you think it is we have coming back........................

Hope that helps!!!

LOL. Washington spent $2 Million on a big man who I'm not even sure is better than Owen Freeman is right now. People realize that he could have easily gotten 7 figures pretty easily on the market with how few good big men entered the portal this year, right? The guy had Kansas in his ear before the season even ended and I know they weren't the only ones.
Like IDK, unless you have a few extra million lying around in a slush fund to give towards the basketball team rehauling the roster, I'm not sure you will like the results of replacing the roster.

 

[Titanhawk2]

It is great that Iowa got two mid-major commits from the portal but we are losing the race. Looking at Indiana, Michigan, Washington, UCLA, Ohio State, Illinois, Penn State, etc., we are falling behind. Indiana with five, Michigan with seven, UCLA with six. Fran really hasn't embraced the portal like most teams.

Not sure why you think brining in seven new bodies is really a good thing

 

[CookyMonster]

Embarrassing post. Hopefully the meds kick in soon op.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

, I'm not sure you will like the results of replacing the roster.

If we replace the roster with players that win us a national championship, I will..............

 

[HawkHoops80]

If we replace the roster with players that win us a national championship, I will..............

I'm sure Fran & Brad would be happy to take your call if that's the case.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I'm sure Fran & Brad would be happy to take your call if that's the case.

I mean I have no plans to call Fran after we win the national championship, but hey if he's waiting, who am I to disappoint............



As for Brad and Swarm and NIL and collectives...............fart noises.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Embarrassing post. Hopefully the meds kick in soon op.

Embarrasing in what way? We keep guys like Mulvey and Brauns on the roster, why? Freeman, Dix and Sandfort if he comes back are P4 players. Dembele and Hardy will probably develop into P4 talent. Hard to compete when some of the teams are bringing in 4 - 5 four star talents with experience.

 

[Mister_Man]

You are leaving out the SEC, ACC, Big East, Big 12….

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Embarrassing post. Hopefully the meds kick in soon op.

Ironic.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

Embarrasing in what way? We keep guys like Mulvey and Brauns on the roster, why? Freeman, Dix and Sandfort if he comes back are P4 players. Dembele and Hardy will probably develop into P4 talent. Hard to compete when some of the teams are bringing in 4 - 5 four star talents with experience.

He’s an idiot. Don’t worry about him.

As to your OP, gotta have money to get a seat at the table.

With that said, you’re right that too many scholarships have been wasted on players who should be playing in the JUCO ranks.

 

[83Hawk]

There is something to be said about keeping guys in the program for 3-4 years.

 

[r448chlpo]

Seems to me, a common man, that one ought not complain about who or how many portal guys Iowa brings in umless he or she is doing their part by contributing NIL dollars. If you are part of the problem ( insufficient contributors) you can certainly cheer, but you need to live with what is there. Your existing does not entitle you to your dream team.

 

[Hawksfor3]

If we replace the roster with players that win us a national championship, I will..............

Or maybe a, I dunno........ Sweet 16?

 

[littlez]

I'd rather they replace the entire team with players that can win a national championship than scratch and claw to make sure we retained whatever potential you think it is we have coming back........................

Hope that helps!!!

Very practical.

 

[littlez]

It is great that Iowa got two mid-major commits from the portal but we are losing the race. Looking at Indiana, Michigan, Washington, UCLA, Ohio State, Illinois, Penn State, etc., we are falling behind. Indiana with five, Michigan with seven, UCLA with six. Fran really hasn't embraced the portal like most teams.

Fran has picked up 2 starters from the portal. We’ve got the Freshman of the year, Dix and Sandfort returning. Some nice Freshman as well. Or we could be like Michigan who lost their entire team and also has to replace it.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Very practical.

Yeah well, ya know what, it f***ing should be.

 

[LukaDuka]

LOL. Washington spent $2 Million on a big man who I'm not even sure is better than Owen Freeman is right now. People realize that he could have easily gotten 7 figures pretty easily on the market with how few good big men entered the portal this year, right? The guy had Kansas in his ear before the season even ended and I know they weren't the only ones.
Like IDK, unless you have a few extra million lying around in a slush fund to give towards the basketball team rehauling the roster, I'm not sure you will like the results of replacing the roster.

I love that Freeman is being loyal to Fran and the Hawks, but I think he's crazy to not chase the $$$. He is no lock for the NBA & should be making bank while he can. Sure he can play overseas if he doesn't make the NBA. But athletes have a short window to maximize their earnings. Just sayin...

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

There is something to be said about keeping guys in the program for 3-4 years.

If you are winning, sure ....it's ideal in terms of maturity experience, chemistry.

But if you are not, it just means you are not serious about getting the talent required to win.

Michigan, e.g., had to replace essentially their entire team, and they will likely still finish ahead of us.

 

[HawkLogic]

I love that Freeman is being loyal to Fran and the Hawks, but I think he's crazy to not chase the $$$. He is no lock for the NBA & should be making bank while he can. Sure he can play overseas if he doesn't make the NBA. But athletes have a short window to maximize their earnings. Just sayin...

Supposedly Freeman's family has a lot of money and Iowa is not far away.

I think the Swarm was targeting $1 million or so for men's basketball. So the Current guys are getting paid and they must have come up with some new money to sign the mid majors. Perkins was supposedly worth $400K....Iowa didn't have enough money to keep him. The guys like Sandfort, Dix, and Freeman seem like they would be worth $200-$400K on open market---Iowa probably gives some fraction of that market worth that is not peanuts, but not top dollar.


owa fans being cheapies regarding NIL gives Fran a good excuse for not competing for championships or NCAA runs.

 

[littlez]

If you are winning, sure ....it's ideal in terms of maturity experience, chemistry.

But if you are not, it just means you are not serious about getting the talent required to win.

Michigan, e.g., had to replace essentially their entire team, and they will likely still finish ahead of us.

Want to bet on that?

 

[combes]

Want to bet on that?

Michigan will be loaded. Depends on whether Dusty May can make the pieces into a cohesive unit. But, on paper, they have a ton of talent.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Supposedly Freeman's family has a lot of money and Iowa is not far away.

I think the Swarm was targeting $1 million or so for men's basketball. So the Current guys are getting paid and they must have come up with some new money to sign the mid majors. Perkins was supposedly worth $400K....Iowa didn't have enough money to keep him. The guys like Sandfort, Dix, and Freeman seem like they would be worth $200-$400K on open market---Iowa probably gives some fraction of that market worth that is not peanuts, but not top dollar.


owa fans being cheapies regarding NIL gives Fran a good excuse for not competing for championships or NCAA runs.

Don't know about cheap. Football is where my money goes. FWIW, between I-club donations, 39 years of season tickets, 10 bowl games, travel expenses (we haven't lived within 500 miles of Iowa for 38 years)- I figure we have spent well over $200K on the Hawks.

Basketball just isn't where my loyalty lies.

 

[kceasthawk]

The question that needs to be asked is, why did those teams have so many spots open that they needed to fill? In my opinion, short of having 5 seniors graduate if you have to add more than 1 or 2 transfers, there is an issue with your team. It could be that your team just doesn't develop talent anymore and hires it every year. That's a cycle many teams have been in for a while now. It certainly can be effective at producing winning teams year in and year out. But it has contributed to lowering the profile of men's basketball as nobody gives a shit about the actual players anymore.

Very good point. Its like Maryland on the womens side. Its obvious Freese has a player retention problem

 

[kceasthawk]

He’s an idiot. Don’t worry about him.

As to your OP, gotta have money to get a seat at the table.

With that said, you’re right that too many scholarships have been wasted on players who should be playing in the JUCO ranks.

This. Its the elephant in the corner of the room. While I realize only so many guys actually play, the deep end of the bench should be at least for guys who have some future of turning into actual players. I don't see how Brauns in year six fits that bill, and after three years, I don't have a lot of hope that Mulvey will ever be a B1G level player. I know that some disagree on him, but I fail to see how in his third year Fran had to redshirt a 20-21 year old post player, when we had such a dire need for ANYONE to give us 10 good minutes per game, and he obviously thought that Mulvey wasn't going to help.

 

[HawkHoops80]

This. Its the elephant in the corner of the room. While I realize only so many guys actually play, the deep end of the bench should be at least for guys who have some future of turning into actual players. I don't see how Brauns in year six fits that bill, and after three years, I don't have a lot of hope that Mulvey will ever be a B1G level player. I know that some disagree on him, but I fail to see how in his third year Fran had to redshirt a 20-21 year old post player, when we had such a dire need for ANYONE to give us 10 good minutes per game, and he obviously thought that Mulvey wasn't going to help.

There's actually been some very interesting debate about this recently from college coaches. Calipari says that he only wants 9 "scholarship level players" on his roster each year going forward because he thinks that it is a waste of resources to recruit and develop guys who aren't playing immediately because they either A) are young and will transfer out of the program before they ever play or B) are old and become a locker room nuisance because they are frustrated they aren't getting the minutes. He says that giving scholarships 10-13 to walk-ons helps with the culture because those guys don't give a crap whether they play or not and are just happy to be there.

These comments lead to an interesting discussion on CBS' flagship CBB podcast and Norlander actually did a bunch of research on it by talking with other P6 CBB coaches and they all basically agreed with Cal's thought process and many are actively trying to move away from filling up their scholarship roster. In fact, less than 50% of power 6 schools used all 13 of their scholarships on "real" scholarship players. A lot of schools will give their 13th spot to a walk-on like we've seen Fran do several times over the years.

As some of you know, I keep a spreadsheet of all of the Big Ten's scholarship's charts during the offseason. It is staggering the amount of end-of-bench guys who transfer out of programs after 1 or 2 years before they ever really play for that school. Mulvey is basically a unicorn in modern basketball because I don't think there is a single other player in year 4 to not play meaningful minutes on a P6 squad and still be on the original roster. It just does not happen in today's age of hoops. We can argue until we're pink in the face on whether or not that it's a good thing he is still on the roster, but in all reality somebody has to be the 12th or 13th man and I'd much rather that be somebody that is happy to be here and a good teammate over someone that is disgruntled about not playing.

 

[Jan Itor]

I'd rather they replace the entire team with players that can win a national championship than scratch and claw to make sure we retained whatever potential you think it is we have coming back........................

Hope that helps!!!

Never gonna happen

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

Want to bet on that?

Sure.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Never gonna happen

Lies

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

Michigan will be loaded. Depends on whether Dusty May can make the pieces into a cohesive unit. But, on paper, they have a ton of talent.

Rosters with more talent than Iowa's on paper:

Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
UCLA
USC
Rutgers
Oregon
Purdue
Maryland
and maybe even Illinois who had to replace an All American, 2 All Big Ten players, a 4* center, and a 3 specialist.

I predicted no tourney last season. I don't see us making it this season either even in a down league. There's just not enough there.

 

[kceasthawk]

There's actually been some very interesting debate about this recently from college coaches. Calipari says that he only wants 9 "scholarship level players" on his roster each year going forward because he thinks that it is a waste of resources to recruit and develop guys who aren't playing immediately because they either A) are young and will transfer out of the program before they ever play or B) are old and become a locker room nuisance because they are frustrated they aren't getting the minutes. He says that giving scholarships 10-13 to walk-ons helps with the culture because those guys don't give a crap whether they play or not and are just happy to be there.

These comments lead to an interesting discussion on CBS' flagship CBB podcast and Norlander actually did a bunch of research on it by talking with other P6 CBB coaches and they all basically agreed with Cal's thought process and many are actively trying to move away from filling up their scholarship roster. In fact, less than 50% of power 6 schools used all 13 of their scholarships on "real" scholarship players. A lot of schools will give their 13th spot to a walk-on like we've seen Fran do several times over the years.

As some of you know, I keep a spreadsheet of all of the Big Ten's scholarship's charts during the offseason. It is staggering the amount of end-of-bench guys who transfer out of programs after 1 or 2 years before they ever really play for that school. Mulvey is basically a unicorn in modern basketball because I don't think there is a single other player in year 4 to not play meaningful minutes on a P6 squad and still be on the original roster. It just does not happen in today's age of hoops. We can argue until we're pink in the face on whether or not that it's a good thing he is still on the roster, but in all reality somebody has to be the 12th or 13th man and I'd much rather that be somebody that is happy to be here and a good teammate over someone that is disgruntled about not playing.

Good points and research HawkHoops80. Still Iowa seems to be more of a developmental school then many, certainly Kentucky, and it just seems to be a waste to have two bigs on the end of the bench who don't play, ESPECIALLY when we went into the pre season knowing we need help on the boards and rim protection. So this year we're leaning more in the other direction. Last years team was borderline in quality guard depth. We lose a 2-3 year starter, and a part time starter, have ZERO guards in the incoming high school class, and sign ONE mid major guard in the transfer portal, and we still have the same two bigs on the deep end of the bench. Just seems to be really poor roster management by Fran. We'll see how the season goes and who contributes.

 

[cmhawks99]

The question that needs to be asked is, why did those teams have so many spots open that they needed to fill? In my opinion, short of having 5 seniors graduate if you have to add more than 1 or 2 transfers, there is an issue with your team. It could be that your team just doesn't develop talent anymore and hires it every year. That's a cycle many teams have been in for a while now. It certainly can be effective at producing winning teams year in and year out. But it has contributed to lowering the profile of men's basketball as nobody gives a shit about the actual players anymore.

Exactly!!

 

[Rose bowl or bust]

There's actually been some very interesting debate about this recently from college coaches. Calipari says that he only wants 9 "scholarship level players" on his roster each year going forward because he thinks that it is a waste of resources to recruit and develop guys who aren't playing immediately because they either A) are young and will transfer out of the program before they ever play or B) are old and become a locker room nuisance because they are frustrated they aren't getting the minutes. He says that giving scholarships 10-13 to walk-ons helps with the culture because those guys don't give a crap whether they play or not and are just happy to be there.

These comments lead to an interesting discussion on CBS' flagship CBB podcast and Norlander actually did a bunch of research on it by talking with other P6 CBB coaches and they all basically agreed with Cal's thought process and many are actively trying to move away from filling up their scholarship roster. In fact, less than 50% of power 6 schools used all 13 of their scholarships on "real" scholarship players. A lot of schools will give their 13th spot to a walk-on like we've seen Fran do several times over the years.

As some of you know, I keep a spreadsheet of all of the Big Ten's scholarship's charts during the offseason. It is staggering the amount of end-of-bench guys who transfer out of programs after 1 or 2 years before they ever really play for that school. Mulvey is basically a unicorn in modern basketball because I don't think there is a single other player in year 4 to not play meaningful minutes on a P6 squad and still be on the original roster. It just does not happen in today's age of hoops. We can argue until we're pink in the face on whether or not that it's a good thing he is still on the roster, but in all reality somebody has to be the 12th or 13th man and I'd much rather that be somebody that is happy to be here and a good teammate over someone that is disgruntled about not playing.

This aligns with my thoughts when I read @kceasthawk post. In today's day and age, you just don't have time to "develop" players. They're not going to stick around if they're not playing as sophomores. The Les Jepsens of the world are no longer; he'd be out of here after only playing a few minutes a game in his freshman and sophomore years.

The idea of only carrying a limited number of "real" scholarship players is interesting for schools like Iowa. We theoretically can pay 9 guys more money each than if we have to pay 13. The problem comes in when you lose a couple of those 9 to the transfer portal when you're not expecting it. Does an Iowa have enough money to replace a good player year after year? Can incoming freshman that Iowa is able to recruit fill those roles?

Guys like Brauns on the end of our bench are a huge asset in practice, and he showed the ability to come in last year and play a little bit of defense with some physicality. He's not going to score 20, but he'll give you some fouls and bang around...and he'll do it while enjoying his role. He certainly has value.

 

[moondog24]

Very good point. Its like Maryland on the womens side. Its obvious Freese has a player retention problem

Agreed that Maryland has a problem retaining players but for some reason she is able to restock each year.

 

[HawkHoops80]

Rosters with more talent than Iowa's on paper:

Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
UCLA
USC
Rutgers
Oregon
Purdue
Maryland
and maybe even Illinois who had to replace an All American, 2 All Big Ten players, a 4* center, and a 3 specialist.

I predicted no tourney last season. I don't see us making it this season either even in a down league. There's just not enough there.

This list in only true if Payton stays in the draft. If Payton comes back, the list of teams that are better on paper than Iowa shrinks dramatically IMO. Also, WTF are you seeing in Illinois? Because outside of Boswell and maybe incoming freshman Morez Johnson that is a trash roster. Torvik actually agrees with me as they are one of the worst rated teams in the Big Ten on his preseason algorithm.

For fun, here's a list of teams that I think will be better on paper when Payton returns:
Indiana, Michigan, UCLA, Purdue, probably Oregon, and maybe Rutgers, though I think they have a serious issue with having only Ogbole (who barely played last year) or incoming Frosh Lathan Sommerville as the only bigs on the roster. And from all accounts, they aren't really in on anyone big still left in the portal. Bailey and Harper are going to have to carry heavy loads for them to be a tournament team IMO, which isn't something that usually works relying on freshman in 2024--even highly regarded ones.

MSU--on paper they are worse than last year. And they weren't that good last season. I live in Omaha and have hooped with Fidler plenty. That dude is soft as butter and I honestly cannot believe he is going to play in the Big Ten. Booker and Fears will need to take huge Sophomore jumps in order for them to be good.

USC--it's the same issue that Muss had last year at Arky. That roster is what some here would expect Fran's ideal roster to be--no guards, no real Center and a bunch of 6'6-6'8 dudes who don't really shoot all that well. We'll see how it is in practicality but honestly I think it has real mess potential.

Maryland--I am high on Gillespie but I don't think he actually is better than Jahmir Young so that's a downgrade right there. Derek Queen is interesting, but again, Freshmen which I'm of the "need to see it first" mindset especially after being so high on Maryland last offseason due to loving Harris-Smith and Kaiser out of high school. Also am convinced that Willard is just not very good as a coach. It's a make or break year for him at MD so it'll be interesting to see if he can do anything.

One absent from your list that I'm surprised by is Ohio State. The pieces are at least interesting to me. Lots of upside, but has the potential to be another disaster where the bottom falls out like the last couple of years.

And honestly, there isn't really a dumpster fire team on paper in this league, even if I think that a couple of them have real potential to be when it's all said and done. I get that it's very easy to be ooing and oggling over the shiny new transfers that each team is bringing in--but as far as returning players I truly don't think there is a better trio on paper than Payton, Dix and Freeman. They are proven Big Ten players at this point and I think Iowa has the chance to really be competitive this year because of that. Of course, that assumes that Payton returns.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

This list in only true if Payton stays in the draft. If Payton comes back, the list of teams that are better on paper than Iowa shrinks dramatically IMO. Also, WTF are you seeing in Illinois? Because outside of Boswell and maybe incoming freshman Morez Johnson that is a trash roster. Torvik actually agrees with me as they are one of the worst rated teams in the Big Ten on his preseason algorithm.

For fun, here's a list of teams that I think will be better on paper when Payton returns:
Indiana, Michigan, UCLA, Purdue, probably Oregon, and maybe Rutgers, though I think they have a serious issue with having only Ogbole (who barely played last year) or incoming Frosh Lathan Sommerville as the only bigs on the roster. And from all accounts, they aren't really in on anyone big still left in the portal. Bailey and Harper are going to have to carry heavy loads for them to be a tournament team IMO, which isn't something that usually works relying on freshman in 2024--even highly regarded ones.

MSU--on paper they are worse than last year. And they weren't that good last season. I live in Omaha and have hooped with Fidler plenty. That dude is soft as butter and I honestly cannot believe he is going to play in the Big Ten. Booker and Fears will need to take huge Sophomore jumps in order for them to be good.

USC--it's the same issue that Muss had last year at Arky. That roster is what some here would expect Fran's ideal roster to be--no guards, no real Center and a bunch of 6'6-6'8 dudes who don't really shoot all that well. We'll see how it is in practicality but honestly I think it has real mess potential.

Maryland--I am high on Gillespie but I don't think he actually is better than Jahmir Young so that's a downgrade right there. Derek Queen is interesting, but again, Freshmen which I'm of the "need to see it first" mindset especially after being so high on Maryland last offseason due to loving Harris-Smith and Kaiser out of high school. Also am convinced that Willard is just not very good as a coach. It's a make or break year for him at MD so it'll be interesting to see if he can do anything.

One absent from your list that I'm surprised by is Ohio State. The pieces are at least interesting to me. Lots of upside, but has the potential to be another disaster where the bottom falls out like the last couple of years.

And honestly, there isn't really a dumpster fire team on paper in this league, even if I think that a couple of them have real potential to be when it's all said and done. I get that it's very easy to be ooing and oggling over the shiny new transfers that each team is bringing in--but as far as returning players I truly don't think there is a better trio on paper than Payton, Dix and Freeman. They are proven Big Ten players at this point and I think Iowa has the chance to really be competitive this year because of that. Of course, that assumes that Payton returns.

lol

Right now Torvik projects Iowa 15th in the league, one spot ahead of Illinois, and that is counting sandfort, dix and freeman.

2024-25 Projections - - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank

T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.

barttorvik.com

Ohio State may very well be good but on paper their roster is not really better than last year's when they sucked bad so I'm non committal on that one.

Illinois landed good pieces in Boswell, humrichous and 7'1" skilled tomislov ivisic. They are also added a very good 3 shooter, and are likely to still add an impact wing. If so, that is a very long and skilled roster on paper, with Rogers lawjorn, morez adding minutes. I do not think we finish ahead of Illinois. They still have a lot of cash to throw around.