B1G is going to be a buzzsaw

[Auger]

There really are no true elite teams nor is there any really horrible teams. All B1G teams have a true weakness and they all have a pretty solid strength. Indiana, Purdue and Wisconsin will likely be the top 3 but only Indiana IMHO can truly be an elite team.

Iowa will find itself in a mix with Illinois, Ohio St, Michigan St, Maryland, Northwestern, Minnesota and Michigan with Penn St, Nebraska and Rutgers all capable of beating anyone in the conference.

Out of that entire mid group all of those teams have the potential to grow to be top 25 teams by the end of the season. The B1G may not have a true elite team (maybe Indiana) but I think it could potentially be the deepest conference by the end of the season from top to bottom.

I think this really plays to Iowa's favor right now. With the exception to the B1G's top 3, I would say all the other B1G teams are on some kind of a level with Notre Dame, Memphis, Seton Hall, UNI and ISU. This Iowa team has grown a lot since Seton Hall, Notre Dame and Memphis and with Cook coming back I would say Iowa could play right with all those teams today. Iowa only plays Indiana, Purdue and Wisconsin once and two of those games are at home. If Iowa can take care of business at home and go 7-2 in Carver they play enough winnable road games to go 4-5. Iowa could go 11-7 in B1G play and finish 19-12 and have a shot at making it back to the dance. Hate to say it but hopefully Iowa St can finish top 25 as well as Virginia, Notre Dame, Memphis and Seton Hall all be top 35 teams. The downside with Iowa only play the top 3 B1G teams once is it wont give us very many chances to get another marquee win this season so hopefully Iowa can pick off at least one of those teams.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

We will have trouble beating : Wis, IND and Purdue. Maryland and Illinois is a tough match up too. The rest is anyone's guess.

 

[K OKeefe]

We will have trouble beating : Wis, IND and Purdue. Maryland and Illinois is a tough match up too. The rest is anyone's guess.

I think this Iowa team has the ability to beat anyone in the conference. I look for them to play well in the conference.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Agree with the OP general assessment of the B1G in the landscape of college ball this year.
As it stands, the best teams look to be indy, wisky, pu. And, none of them appear to be a final four contender.
However the league is loaded with improved teams. rutgers record is misleading given their completely worthless schedule, but they do appear to be improved.
minny hasn't played against much competition, but they also appear to have improved.
nw is definitely better.

Iowa will win games, of that I have no doubt. But there don't appear to be any gimmes.

 

[jasonrann]

There won't be gimmes, but I expected losses against Iowa State and UNI. We will compete.

 

[StormHawk42]

The B1G will be very balanced. Wouldn't be surprised to see first place at 13-5 and last place sorted between 4 teams at 7-11.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Gotta protect at home. Road may be really tough. We'll see. I think at this early stage that we will be in the middle of the pack.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

Rutgers might beat Seton Hall. It's a back and fourth game late in the 2nd half.

 

[LuteHawk]

Athlon Sports...College Basketball magazine has
picked the Iowa Hawkeyes to finish 9th in the Big
Ten Conference. The magazine picks Wisconsin
to win the Conference title. So it does look like the
Hawks are considered to be middle of the pack
material. It is up to Coach Fran and team to prove
them wrong.

 

[hawkcub]

I see the B1G being down as a help and hindrance for a young Iowa team. Helps us because we should compete every game. Hindrance is less teams will probably be dancing.

Right now my expectations are bubble NIT team. PU game could increase or decrease that.

 

[Packer54]

We have enough talent to win 13. We have enough youth to win 8. Either way I like this team and directional where Fran has things headed.