Originally Posted by
agharah1
Duke and MSU seem like decent picks. I would never trust Baylor because I don't believe in Scott Drew or BallHoggius Dunn, assuming he even gets to play much this season. I wouldn't pick Kansas or Kentucky until I knew Josh Selby and Enes Kanter were eligible, and if the NCAA's handling of Rendardo Sidney situation is any indication, the two of them could be halfway through their NBA rookie seasons before the NCAA makes a decision.
There's no denying that Ohio State is the most talented team in the Big Ten. I really don't think people are prepared for just how incredible Jared Sullinger is going to be. The only problem with Ohio State is the same problem Ohio State has always had: Thad Matta. Is he going to continue to insist his team stocked with NBA size and athleticism play zone defense and use no point guard? Its *SHOCKING* how awful OSU was when Evan Turner was out last season, and its not like he was the 2nd coming of Steve Nash, he was a sub-30% 3pt shooter and extremely turnover prone. The way Ohio State has had MSU's number in recent years I would have figured they were a shoe-in for the Final Four last year when Kansas went down...and then they lost to a Tennessee team without Tyler Smith.
If the Big Ten is going to produce a 2nd Final Four team after MSU, its going to be Illinois. Bruce Webber really is a great coach, but once Bill Self's players left he couldn't produce much talent of his own. Now, with Myers Leonard, Jeremy Richmond, Brandon Paul, and DJ Richardson Illinois is stacked *and* well coached.
Memphis could have actually contended for a final four spot with the talent they have, but considering the problems with Will Barton's eligibility, and Jelan Kendrick trying to beat the crap out of his teammates, I'm starting to wonder if they'll even win C-USA. The annual Tennessee-Memphis game could rival the Niners-Raiders game as the matchup of most-dysfunctional sports teams in America.
I guess I'll reserve the 4th Final Four bid for Pitt or Syracuse, because I think one of those two will win the Big East this year.