30 In 30: Big Ten

Back for his sophomore season, Jared Sullinger and Ohio State want more than just a Big Ten title this year. (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

After chronicling the Big 12, (which is really the Big Ten) it's time to look toward the Big Ten, which is really the Big 12. It can be further explained in the following:

1) Ohio State - Three starters graduated from last year's Sweet 16 squad, but Thad Matta's biggest piece last season delighted fans in Colunbus by resisting the temptation of the NBA. Jared Sullinger returns for his sophomore season with the Buckeyes, and the big power forward should be in consideration for national awards once again after his double-double averages as a rookie. Fellow second-year player Aaron Craft, also an Ohio native, becomes the full-time starting point guard and the replacement for David Lighty following a freshman season in which he averaged nearly five assists and two steals per game coming off the bench. Deshaun Thomas, another sophomore, steps into the swingman role previously occupied by Jon Diebler on a team that is still the one to beat in the Big Ten.

2) Michigan State - Delvon Roe's tragedy-marred career ended prematurely after yet another knee injury, so Sparty will be using his misfortune as inspiration this season while also attempting to remain among the Big Ten's elite even without warrior point guard Kalin Lucas and sharpshooter Durrell Summers. Valparaiso transfer Brandon Wood will be eligible to play immediately for Tom Izzo; and will be Lucas' successor as the Spartans' floor general, whereas sophomore Keith Appling becomes a full-time starter after being inserted into the shooting guard position during the second half of last season, when he started eighteen games and shot 41 percent from long range. Izzo has two options for his wing position, and will showcase both at various times during each game with senior Austin Thornton and freshman Branden Dawson, the centerpiece of yet another strong recruiting class in East Lansing. Up front, there is no question about the team leader. Now a senior, Draymond Green will be the go-to guy in the paint both at the Breslin Center and on the road; and if there is one thing about the 6-7 Green that makes even the most casual of basketball fans smile, it is his versatility. Green's ability to score, facilitate like a point guard, shoot from long range, and dominate inside like a seven-footer only underscores the fact that he is one of the best and most underrated players in the country. Sophomore Adreian Payne will likely platoon with junior Derrick Nix in the center spot once again now that Garrick Sherman transferred to Notre Dame, where he has the potential to be a pleasant surprise for Mike Brey when he is eligible next year.

3) Michigan - If there is one thing you should know about John Beilein, it is this: His teams get better as his tenure on the bench gets longer. Fans of Canisius, Richmond and West Virginia can all agree; and now fans of the Wolverines can see the same light after Beilein brought an NCAA Tournament round of 32 appearance to Ann Arbor last season in a game where Michigan nearly upset 2010 national champion Duke. Point guard Darius Morris has left for the NBA, but the core of Beilein's team comes back. Tim Hardaway Jr. impressed many with his play down the stretch last season, and the sophomore will prove to the nation that he is more than just the son of a former NBA great. Seniors Zack Novak and Stu Douglass, both of whom are reputed shooters much like Hardaway, complete the backcourt for the Wolverines while Jordan Morgan and Evan Smotrycz return up front. Beilein's bench is just as deep this year, too; with top reserves Matt Vogrich and Jon Horford also coming back to a team that will enter the year as one of the best-kept secrets in the nation, and end it with a long run in the NCAA Tournament.

4) Wisconsin - Bo Ryan's Badgers may not be the most fun to watch, but they know how to win. That will not change this year even after Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil leave the program in good standing. With the two big men out of Madison, senior guard Jordan Taylor becomes the face of the team; and now that Kalin Lucas has departed at Michigan State as well, Taylor is now the best point guard in the Big Ten. Quite possibly one of the more underrated players in the nation, Taylor comes off a junior campaign in which he averaged eighteen points and nearly five assists per game, while also shooting 43 percent from long range. Sophomore guard Josh Gasser joins Taylor in the backcourt, while Mike Bruesewitz returns with swingman Ryan Evans and big man Jared Berggren to comprise the Wisconsin post presence.

5) Purdue - Matt Painter loses his one-two punch of E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson after both were NBA draft picks, but the silver lining is that Robbie Hummel finally makes his long-awaited comeback after two separate knee injuries cost him a season and what could have been a storybook NCAA Tournament run. Senior point guard Lewis Jackson is back as well as Ryne Smith and D.J. Byrd, giving Painter the same backcourt he used last season; and Kelsey Barlow is also an incumbent to fill the top spot off the bench for the Boilermakers. Expect 6-9 sophomore Travis Carroll to get the first shot when it comes to replacing Johnson up front alongside Hummel, the local kid who hopes to return to the hardwood a conquering hero this season.

6) Northwestern - Having seen the Wildcats in person a year ago when most of Bill Carmody's team would be coming back this season, I can personally tell you just how good these guys are. If Northwestern can avoid struggles in conference play; and continue to stifle their opponents with their intriguing 1-3-1 zone defense, the Wildcats will finally reach their first NCAA Tournament. Point guard Michael "Juice" Thompson has graduated, but shnooting sensation John Shurna is back for his senior season after setting the Big Ten on fire last year. Shurna will be joined up front by 6-11 Serbian big man Luka Mirkovic, while deceptive scoring threat Drew Crawford moves inside more often from the wing this season in the absence of Thompson. Alex Marcotullio, who came off the bench more often than not a year ago, will be the man running the point during life after Thompson, with JerShon Cobb serving as his running mate.

7) Minnesota - Once upon a time, Trevor Mbakwe was a Marquette recruit that committed to coach Tom Crean. Now five years since signing with the Golden Eagles and playing his freshman year under Buzz Williams, Mbakwe has become a double-double-per night player in Minnesota who will get the chance to face Crean once again when the Golden Gophers play Crean's Indiana team. Blake Hoffarber and Al Nolen are no longer around for Tubby Smith; but the former national champion coach has 6-11 big man Ralph Sampson III for his senior season, as well as junior Rodney Williams up front with Mbakwe. Smith's backcourt is relatively inexperienced, with sophomore Austin Hollins the top incumbent.

8) Indiana - Now in his fifth season at the helm of the cream and crimson, the aforementioned former Marquette coach Tom Crean is finally starting to show signs of improvement in his quest to resurrect one of the nation's most prestigious programs after the swing and miss known as Kelvin Sampson. Crean picks up highly regarded Cody Zeller to lead his recruiting class, and it is possible that the 6-11 freshman could start early and often for the Hoosiers, following in the footsteps of older brothers Luke, who was an effective sixth man at Notre Dame; and Tyler, who continues to be one of the stars of a North Carolina team favored to win its third national championship in the last eight years. All three of Indiana's leading scorers are back as well, with forward Christian Watford leading the charge while Verdell Jones and Jordan Hulls spearhead the effort from the backcourt. Maurice Creek also returns to Bloomington after missing half the season last year, and Derek Elston will be a major player with or without Zeller in the starting lineup.

9) Illinois - Bruce Weber starts the year on the hot seat in Champaign as his Illini will look to replace each of their three best players from a season ago. Ironically, the player hardest to replace on paper already has a successor; as Bradley transfer Sam Maniscalco should step in right away to run the point after Demetri McCamey graduated. Brandon Paul will join Maniscalco off the ball, where he shot 36 percent from three-point range in his sophomore season as a spot starter. Fellow shooting guard D.J. Richardson is back as well for Illinois, but their weakness will be inside. Sophomore center Meyers Leonard will be under the microscope early and often, as the 7-1 big man has the unenviable task of replacing Mike Tisdale under the boards. Power forward Mike Davis will also be difficult to replace; and the Illini transition game was hurt critically when freshman Jereme Richmond elected to turn pro after just one year rather than return for his sophomore campaign, a move that was criticized even further when Richmond was passed up in the NBA draft and landed in legal trouble.

10) Nebraska - Unlike the Cornhusker football team, which moved into the Big Ten this season and did not miss a beat in their effort to remain a national championship contender, Doc Sadler will not have it easy as his basketball program moves into its new league from the Big 12. The Huskers do have the core of their team back from their bubble team a year ago, led by 6-11 junior center Jorge Brian Diaz. Senior guard Brandon Richardson will likely be the successor to Lance Jeter at point guard while Caleb Walker and Toney McCray see more opportunities off the ball. Junior Brandon Ubel and 6-11 big man Andre Almeida will split time up front alongside Diaz as Sadler will attempt to create mismatches inside to his advantage.

11) Iowa - Fran McCaffery has four starters coming back in his second year at the helm of the Hawkeyes following an 11-20 campaign last year in which the former Siena coach picked up an upset win over Purdue, but lost seven of his last eight games. Point guard Bryce Cartwright and shooting guard Matt Gatens lead the way going into their senior seasons, with swingman Eric May flexible enough to be either a guard or forward depending on the lineup(s) McCaffery chooses to run. The Hawkeyes will be consistent up front, though; as sophomore Melsahn Basabe will be the go-to guy inside while the combination of Zach McCabe and Andrew Brommer attempt to give Iowa a consistent post presence.

12) Penn State - Former Jay Wright disciple Patrick Chambers comes to State College after just one year at the helm of Boston University, where he took the Terriers to an America East championship and an NCAA Tournament. Leading scorer Talor Battle has moved on, as have three other starters for the Nittany Lions last season, leaving Tim Frazier to pick up the pieces for Chambers as he enters his junior season. Sophomore guard Jermaine Marshall will attempt to increase his productivity off the ball while Frazier runs the point, while 6-8 sophomore Billy Oliver is Penn State's top incumbent up front.