College basketball fans, brace yourselves! The preseason polls are here, and they're as much a part of October as pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween decorations. But here's where it gets controversial: predicting the Big Ten standings is no easy feat, and my ballot in the SB Nation preseason poll is sure to spark some debates. Let me walk you through my thought process, and feel free to disagree – I’m all ears in the comments!
First, let’s set the stage. Connor Lemons from Land Grant Holy Land, Ohio State’s SB Nation site, organized a poll featuring writers from 14 SB Nation College sites, one 247Sports site, and one FanSided site. Notably absent were representatives from UCLA and Oregon. You can check out the full poll here, but before you do, let me explain the reasoning behind my picks.
My Predicted Big Ten Standings:
- Purdue
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Illinois
- Iowa
- UCLA
- Wisconsin
- Oregon
- Maryland
- Ohio State
- USC
- Indiana
- Nebraska
- Washington
- Minnesota
- Northwestern
- Rutgers
- Penn State
Big Ten Player of the Year: Braden Smith (Purdue)
Big Ten Freshman of the Year: Trey McKenney (Michigan)
Big Ten Transfer of the Year: Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan)
Sleeper Team: Iowa
All-Big Ten 1st Team: Braden Smith, Trey Kaufmann-Renn, Yaxel Lendeborg, Bennett Stirtz, Coen Carr
All-Big Ten 2nd Team: LJ Cason, Bruce Thornton, Donovan Dent, Nick Martinelli, Jackson Shelstad
Now, let’s dive into the logic – and trust me, this is where it gets interesting.
Standings Breakdown:
Purdue is my clear favorite. Matt Painter is a coaching mastermind, and with Braden Smith, Trey Kaufmann-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer returning, the Boilermakers are a force to be reckoned with. Barring injuries, I can’t see them finishing outside the top three. But here’s where it gets controversial: I’ve got Michigan right behind them. Their defense has improved significantly with their transfer class, and role players like Roddy Gayle Jr., Nimari Burnett, and Will Tschetter are back. Plus, I’m betting on a breakout season for LJ Cason – think Kobe Bufkin’s sophomore leap, but with a twist. And this is the part most people miss: Iowa, my sleeper pick, could surprise everyone under new coach Ben McCollum and his star transfer, Bennett Stirtz.
Big Ten Player of the Year:
Braden Smith is the obvious choice – and yes, I know that sounds boring. But let’s be real: he’s one of the best point guards in the country. His performance in Ann Arbor last season was nothing short of legendary. Unless injury strikes, he’s a lock for this award.
Big Ten Freshman of the Year:
Trey McKenney is my pick, and here’s why: this kid was a scoring machine in high school, and after shedding 18 pounds over the summer, he’s poised to dominate the college game. At Michigan’s open practice, he stood out as one of their best shot-creators. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a go-to offensive option by season’s end.
Big Ten Transfer of the Year:
Yaxel Lendeborg is my pick – and no, it’s not boring, it’s just that obvious. This guy is a defensive powerhouse, can run an offense like a guard, and has NBA written all over him. He’ll likely lead Michigan in scoring, and if you think that’s a bold claim, just wait until you see him play.
Sleeper Team: Iowa
Ben McCollum is a coaching phenom, and pairing him with Bennett Stirtz could make Iowa a dark horse contender. McCollum’s unique approach to the game, combined with Stirtz’s all-around talent, makes this team dangerous. Don’t be shocked if they make a Sweet Sixteen run this season – something Fran McCaffery never achieved.
All-Big Ten Teams:
My 1st Team picks are no-brainers: Smith, Kaufmann-Renn, Lendeborg, Stirtz, and my wild card, Coen Carr. Carr’s athleticism is off the charts, and if he develops a consistent jump shot, he could be a lottery pick. For the 2nd Team, I’m high on LJ Cason’s potential, Donovan Dent’s scoring ability, and Jackson Shelstad’s underrated talent.
Now, here’s the question: Where do you disagree? Is Purdue overrated? Should Iowa be higher? Let me know in the comments – I’m ready to defend my picks, but I’m also eager to hear your take. After all, that’s what makes college basketball so great: the debates, the surprises, and the unpredictability. Let’s talk hoops!
