College Basketball Preview: Big 10

As we return to the college basketball previews, it's time for the Big 12, the new home of Greg Oden (for at least a year).

Player of the Year: This list has to start with Alando Tucker from Wisconsin. The returning senior averaged nearly 20 points per game last year, and can do it all offensively. He can hit the outside shot, and at 6'6'', he can go inside and post up smaller players. He's very versatile and experienced which makes him the frontrunner for what will be a very good Wisconsin squad. Continuing with the senior theme is Adam Haluska from Iowa. One of the main holdovers from last year's tournament squad, Haluska will be a leader for the Hawkeyes with his outside shooting and toughness.

Kelvin Sampson's biggest move this offseason was to convince DJ White to stay with the Hoosiers rather than transfer to UAB. If he can stay healthy, he's a real good looking player for the Hoosiers. Then there is the Buckeyes... Greg Oden is the guy that everyone talks about, and he has a chance if he plays up to his potential after he returns from injury, but don't overlook Jamar Butler. He was the leader and PG last year, and has the talent and leadership to be the Buckeyes best player this year. But in the end, it's all about Alando Tucker... too good, and playing for the team that I think will win the Big 10.

Freshmen to Watch: There's this guy named Greg Oden that's supposed to be pretty good... #1 prospect in the country, probable #1 pick in the NBA Draft assuming he comes out after this year. So Ohio St. has that going for them, which is nice. Here's what else they have going for them- Daequan Cook and Mike Conley. Both should contribute this year, and Cook may even start. For Michigan St., wing player Raymar Morgan and Isaiah Dahlman should have a chance to contribute right away after the Spartans lost their top 3 scorers from last season.

Breakout Players: Let's start at the top with the Badgers and big man Brian Butch. He was very highly touted, and while he has played decently well in his first couple of years, he's been a mild disappointment. But he should excel this year, with all the talent around and and the experience to go along with his talent. For Indiana, Earl Calloway should be studly at PG. In the NCAA Tournament loss against Gonzaga he nearly had a triple double (13 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds). He should be a leader in the backcourt. The Illini lost their leader Dee Brown, but Brian Randle should grow and become their best player this year. The Spartans lost their top 3 scorers as mentioned, but Drew Neitzel returns and should become one of the best players in the Big 10. He's a good passer, ballhandler, and shooter, which is something he'll be called on to do more of. Lastly, the Gophers don't have a lot of hope this year, but if they're going to have success it must come from Spencer Tollackson. The big man has the ability, he just has to remain consistent.

Predicted Order of Finish
1. Wisconsin
2. Indiana
3. Ohio St.
4. Illinois
5. Michigan
6. Michigan St.
7. Penn St.
8. Iowa
9. Purdue
10. Minnesota
11. Northwestern

I should also mention that if you want and need more in-depth coverage of the Big Ten, Big Ten Wonk is a great, great site. All the Big Ten writing you'll ever need right there.

Links and such

I'm all about giving here, which is why I'll give you some links that I enjoyed in the hopes that you too may enjoy them. Well, that and I had to write a paper that I just finished, and don't have time right now to continue my college basketball previews. But that's a secret for just you and I, so rest assured those will start back up tomorrow.

Anyway, enough inane rambling. Here's what you should check out:

- Pretty cool new project I have a small part of and you should all check out (if you know what's good for you)... The Water Cooler Online.

- Deadspin has all of your Harold Reynolds news. And frankly, if I could sue ESPN for turning to crap the past couple of years, I'd consider it.

- It's ok Insomniac, 1 out of 4 ain't bad. It's not like my football picks were any better.

- I'm pretty sure Raja Bell's site is the worst on the internet. As always, YAYSports is on top of things. (have I mentioned before how much I love YAYsports! NBA? Because I do)

- WBRS reports that the Notre Dame game won't be on national TV this week... poor poor Irish fans.

- Jeff Brantley won't be on ESPN next year... who do I write the check to for making this possible?

- The Philadelphia 76ers are 3-0... there's a long ways to go, but what a great start. Guess Iverson isn't wearing down quite yet.

- If you still haven't read it, my Big 12 Preview... if you have read it alread, go play outside before it gets too cold.

College Basketball Preview: Big 12

We started things off with the ACC Preview, now it's time to move on to the next major conference, the Big 12, a conference that had an influx of solid coaches (more on that later) which will only help the league in the long run.

Player of the Year: Loads of candidates here, but we have to start at the top, and that is the Kansas Jayhawks, who have a couple of candidates. First is Brandon Rush, who shot nearly 50% from downtown last year, is athletic, and rebounds well. As a freshman he averaged 13.5 PPG and about 6 rebounds per contest. His teammate Julian Wright is equally skilled. At 6'8'' he causes matchup problems, can get to the hoop, finish, and find the open man. Just has all the skills you'd want in a wing man.

Moving away from Kansas, there are still a lot of great candidates. From up-and-comer Texas A&M there is guard Acie Law and post Joseph Jones. Law is solid on both ends of the floor and is a very good outside shooter. Jones flirted with going to the draft before deciding to return to school. These guys are a big reason why there is lots of excitement in Aggie-Land this year. Elsewhere in Texas, Jarrious Jackson returns for his senior year at Texas Tech. He's seemingly been in Lubbock forever (at least to me), and will be a leader for TT. He's very quick and herky-jerky off the dribble, has a great floater in the lane, and keeps the defender honest with a nice outside jumper. Other candidates include JamesOn Curry of Oklahoma St. (was it really only two years ago he was on the team with John Lucas, Joey Graham, Ivan McFarlin, & Co. making a run in the Tourney?), Richard Roby of Colorado, and maybe even Kevin Durant of Texas.

But then it comes down to it, I think Brandon Rush is the best player in the Big 12. Combine that with him being on what should be an excellent team, and that equals up to him being my preseason Big 12 Player of the Year.

Freshmen to Watch: Judging from all of the scouting reports, this list starts with Kevin Durant of Texas. He is one of the top 2 incoming freshmen in the nation (along with Greg Oden), and should have immediate impact for the Longhorns. He's athletic, finishes at the rim, and can shoot from outside. This will likely be his only season in Austin. Also for the Longhorns is DJ Augustine in the backcourt, who will also get big minutes from Day 1. Kansas returns lots of guys, but they've also got talent coming in, with players like Darrell Arthur and Sherron Collins. At the very least, they will push the incumbent starters for playing time and could supplant them in the lineup at some point. For new coach Bob Huggins at Kansas St., the 7'3'' BIG man Jason Bennett will be counted on early, as will JUCO Transfer (close enough) SG Blake Young.

Breakout Players: One candidate is Curtis Jerrells from Baylor, a guy many may not know but is a real nice looking player. Baylor looks to be much improved this year, and Jerrells is at the heart of that. Then there is Martin Zeno from Texas Tech. He was very good as a freshman, but struggled a little bit last year according to Bobby Knight. Still, I like this lefty's game, and he can score in a variety of ways as a #2 option to Jarrious Jackson. Iowa St. lost a lot of guys, but Rahshon Clark will be back, and should emerge for the Cyclones in the absence of the two guards from last year. Last is AJ Abrams, one of the lone holdovers that was a big contributor for the Texas Longhorns last year. Only a sophomore, he will have to take on a big leadership role for Texas as well as handling the ball very often.

What else to Watch: I hinted at it earlier, but there are lots of new coaches in the Big 12. Most notably is Bob Huggins for Kansas St., but there are lots of intriguing questions surrounding the rest. Will Mike Anderson's up-and-down style from UAB work with Mizzou in the Big 12? Can Greg McDermott continue with the success he had in the MVC? Can Sean Sutton continue the work of Eddie Sutton? Can Jeff Capel continue the success of the past tournament runs Kelvin Sampson had (without the scandals)? All the more reasons that the Big 12 will be one of the more interesting conferences in the nation this year.

Predicted Order of Finish
1. Kansas
2. Texas A&M
3. Texas
4. Kansas St.
5. Oklahoma St.
6. Texas Tech
7. Baylor
8. Oklahoma
9. Colorado
10. Iowa St.
11. Missouri
12. Nebraska