Not talking about Iowa here...trying to be objective.
Here are the teams/programs that I think are on the upswing:
1) Ohio State.....I hate to say it, but that team is loaded with talent (if they don't lose a bunch) with a decent recruiting class coming in...and they have a good coach. I think that by next season they will have it figured out and right the ship. They will be very tough.
2) Maryland....I think they hired a really good coach and I think that program is going to be very strong for a long time to come barring some unforeseen problem(s).
3) Indiana....is a maybe in this category. They appear to be recruiting well, but still not convinced. We will see but they certainly could be heading up.
4) PSU....they may take a dip next year as I think they lose some key pieces....but that might be the really really good young coach that takes that program to new heights.
5) MSU.....maybe? Obviously you have Izzo and they have had pretty good recruiting classes....but the last few years have not been as good as his years prior to that period.
Maybe headed down, or at least maybe they have peaked under that coach:
1) Michigan........John B was a great coach and had proven success. Howard had initial success with the after affects of the John B era....Howard still has a bunch of talent, but the results don't look as good.
2) Wisconsin....same same with slightly less success?
3) NW....I think loses a lot. Collins is probably there for as long as he wants to be after this years success? But the loss of those talented senior guards probably drags them down a notch?
4) Nebraska......
5) Illinois is hard to judge...maybe should be up a notch. Clearly has a talented roster....and can coach decent defense...but appears to have under achieved this year based on that talent.
Don't know where to put:
Purdue.....they have talent, and they have some youth, but who do they lose? Is Eddy gone? If he's back they're probably back at the top of the league?
Minnesota......can't get worse can it?
Rutgers....like that coach, they have athletic talent, they play defense......not sure what they have coming back or coming in...
So...just thoughts. Certainly not saying these are correct assertions...in fact, I'm hoping to hear from others what they think specific teams will be like next year.
Here are the teams/programs that I think are on the upswing:
1) Ohio State.....I hate to say it, but that team is loaded with talent (if they don't lose a bunch) with a decent recruiting class coming in...and they have a good coach. I think that by next season they will have it figured out and right the ship. They will be very tough.
2) Maryland....I think they hired a really good coach and I think that program is going to be very strong for a long time to come barring some unforeseen problem(s).
3) Indiana....is a maybe in this category. They appear to be recruiting well, but still not convinced. We will see but they certainly could be heading up.
4) PSU....they may take a dip next year as I think they lose some key pieces....but that might be the really really good young coach that takes that program to new heights.
5) MSU.....maybe? Obviously you have Izzo and they have had pretty good recruiting classes....but the last few years have not been as good as his years prior to that period.
Maybe headed down, or at least maybe they have peaked under that coach:
1) Michigan........John B was a great coach and had proven success. Howard had initial success with the after affects of the John B era....Howard still has a bunch of talent, but the results don't look as good.
2) Wisconsin....same same with slightly less success?
3) NW....I think loses a lot. Collins is probably there for as long as he wants to be after this years success? But the loss of those talented senior guards probably drags them down a notch?
4) Nebraska......
5) Illinois is hard to judge...maybe should be up a notch. Clearly has a talented roster....and can coach decent defense...but appears to have under achieved this year based on that talent.
Don't know where to put:
Purdue.....they have talent, and they have some youth, but who do they lose? Is Eddy gone? If he's back they're probably back at the top of the league?
Minnesota......can't get worse can it?
Rutgers....like that coach, they have athletic talent, they play defense......not sure what they have coming back or coming in...
So...just thoughts. Certainly not saying these are correct assertions...in fact, I'm hoping to hear from others what they think specific teams will be like next year.