The B1G did not show well this non-conference season. Wonder how many teams are going to make the dance.
Just saw the standings. How in the heck is Minnesota so damn good this year? Guess that's what getting a blue chip recruit and a few impact transfers will do for you. Pitino Jr. went from nearly fired to COY so far this season. Unreal turnaround. Rutgers tied for 1st as well but saw they had 350/351 SOS. Still, amazing turnarounds. Iowa may take their lumps this year but at least they are playing tough teams and are growing up quickly. Just going to be hard seeing NW and Minnesota in tourney and not the Hawkeyes after past few seasons.
Fool's gold. All of them, especially Rutgers, have played weak schedules and metrics like Pomeroy that include strength of schedule aren't enthusiastic about them. Minny is the best of the 3 ranked 7th in the conference, Rutgers is dead last at 118th in the nation despite being 11-1.
Fool's gold. All of them, especially Rutgers, have played weak schedules and metrics like Pomeroy that include strength of schedule aren't enthusiastic about them. Minny is the best of the 3 ranked 7th in the conference, Rutgers is dead last at 118th in the nation despite being 11-1.
Two years ago Minny went 11-2 in the nonconference against a similarly weak schedule and then 6-12 in conference play. It's going to be another month or two before we know if these teams are actually good.
Figured so. Rutgers and Gophers receiving votes in polls though. Clearly voters don't account for poor RPI/SOS. Just record.
Play bad teams pre-season and win:
Fans say: we need to play tougher teams to prepare them for the Big Ten.
Play good teams pre-season and lose:
Fans say: we need to play lesser teams to break in the young guys before the Big Ten.
Can't win with the fans.
Didn't they have a head-scratching loss last year at home around this time? Some team from Texas that former Indiana coach Mike Davis was coaching, correct?
Wisconsin also had some goofy losses early in the season last year.
Ya just never know.
This is why I think IA can still get a 20+ win season if they continue to play defenses. IA's schedule is softer than usual in the B1G; they meet the strong teams less than last year, Purdue x2, Ind, Wis, and MSU once. I think they can finish within the top five.
My sentiments exactly. The B1G teams are not playing at a premier level at this juncture of the season. Indiana went down to Butler. The ACC vs. B1G challenge was pretty lopsided in favor of the ACC, I believe the final results were 9-5 for the ACC. I think this will bode well for Iowa. I think with the league generally down Iowa has a chance to play well.The B1G did not show well this non-conference season. Wonder how many teams are going to make the dance.