The Big Ten had a ….. well…… surprising year you could say in some ways. During the 2017 NCAA Tournament, some teams stepped up and some teams stepped out. Chris Collins proved his coaching worth at Northwestern by leading the Wildcats to the round of 32 in their very first dance. Wisconsin lost a heartbreaker in New York to Florida and Michigan got wiped out by some Ducks. So when it comes to dancing in this years tourney, do not be surprised if you see a few teams from the Midwest doing some Texas two stepping on their way to San Antonio. Just a word of advice. If you were to see Northwestern dancing this year, beware Julia Louis Dreyfus still has a son playing named Charlie Hall and she still knows, “The Elaine Dance.” That’s worth saying, “Go Wildcats!”
By the way, basketball’s road to the biggest dance-off in Texas begins in just 16 days!
The Big 10 Preseason Rankings
1.) Michigan State
2.) Northwestern
3.) Purdue
4.) Wisconsin
5.) Minnesota
6.) Iowa
7.) Maryland
8.) Michigan
9.) tie Penn State
9.) tie Illinois
11.) Nebraska
12.) Indiana
13.) Ohio State
14.) Rutgers
Preseason Big 10 All Freshman Team
Jaren Jackson Jr. 6’11 Forward Michigan State
Mark Aistork 6’5 Guard Illinois
Darryl Morsell 6’4 Guard Maryland
Isaiah Washington 6’1 Guard Minnesota
Jaaron Simmons 6’1 Guard Michigan
Preseason Big 10 Freshman of the Year
Jaren Jackson Jr. Michigan State
Preseason Big 10 All Conference Team
Moritz Wagner 6’11 Forward Michigan
Ethan Happ 6’10 Forward Wisconsin
Miles Bridges 6’7 Guard/Forward Michgian State
Bryant McIntosh 6’3 Guard Northwestern
Nate Mason 6’2 Guard Minnesota
Preseason Big 10 Player of the Year
Miles Bridges Michigan State
Preseason Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year
Jaren Jackson Jr. Michigan
Preseason Big 10 Coach of the Year
Chris Collins Northwestern