Going into the Michigan St. game tomorrow, I just have to comment to the group about how the media "experts" saw the Pre-season Big Ten vs. Reality half way through the season.
The BTN Media pre season poll:
1. Purdue
2. Michigan St.
3. Maryland
4. Illinois
5. Wisconsin
6. Indiana
7. Ohio St.
8. Northwestern
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers
11. Michigan
12. Nebraska
13. Penn St.
14. Minnesota
Player of the Year: Edey (27), Tyson Walker (1)
Freshman of the Year: MgBako-Ind (19)
Transfer of the Year: Ace Baldwin-PSU (14), Nkamhoua-Mich (6), Battle-OSU (4), Ware-Ind/Storr-Wis (2)
Current standings:
1. Purdue 10-2
2. Illinois 8-3
Wisconsin 8-3
4. Northwestern 6-5
Michigan St. 6-5
6. Minnesota 5-5
Nebraska 6-6
8. Indiana 5-6
Maryland 5-6
Penn St. 5-6
Iowa 5-6
12. Rutgers 3-7
13. Ohio St.
14. Michigan 2-9
So the media experts were able to nail one of the top 3 teams in the conference, three of the next 8, and zero of the bottom 3. Admittedly, there is still a long way to go.
POY likely will be Edey repeat, but that'll take a deeper dive into the numbers/value to a team.
Freshman of the Year will not be Mgbako, and will very likely be unmentioned Owen Freeman-Iowa.
Transfer of the Year likely won't be Baldwin, Battle, Nkmhoua. Would have been nice to see Hawkins-MN get some love early, but he is proving he belongs in the conversation with Storr-Wis, Ware-Ind, Langborg-NW, Domask-Ill, Mast-Neb.
Bottom line is that nobody knows how new players will play and gel under coaching every year. Thinking a team will be great doesn't mean they will be, and vice versa MN fans. Obviously CBJ knew what he wanted on and off the floor from his additions, and has coached effectively. MN has five guys on the floor who can ALL defend (it only takes one guy not defending to blow up a possession). We have 5 guys on roster that can shoot 3's on any given night. Hawkins is having his best year as a junior. The only surprises thus far for MN is the contribution of Fox on both ends of the floor, and Christie earning minutes being a better shooter than expected.